The Little Mermaid

January 12-15, 2023 at the Victoria Theatre

Cast audition schedule

Tues, Sept 27…..4:00–7:00pm…..Open cast auditions
Wed, Sept 28…..4:00–7:00pm…..Open cast auditions
Thurs, Sept 29…..4:00–10:00pm…..Open cast auditions
Sat, Oct 1…..Noon–6pm…..Open cast auditions
Sun, Oct 2…..Noon–6pm…..Open cast auditions
Mon & Wed, Oct 3 & 5…..4:00–10pm…..Callback auditions (by invitation)
Tues, Oct 11…..Notifications sent

Health & Safety

This year, every student in the production must bring a face mask to every rehearsal. The producer will determine whether the company is required to wear masks at each rehearsal based on the current risk level of the community and surrounding communities. Participants will also be required to make frequent use of hand sanitizer.

Who we are looking for

People who want to act, dance and sing! Don’t worry if you’re not experienced because we look favorably upon those with potential. There’s room for many levels of talent. Many performers are needed – this is a large ensemble comedy/drama and we need all types!  Please note: You must be a Muse Machine member to be in the musical. Bring your new membership card or a note from a Muse advisor at your school. Membership question? Call 937/222-MUSE, ext 401.

Diversity

Both as a performance and a creative experience, Muse Machine’s musicals are stronger when they reflect the community and world around us. Students of all races and ethnicities are cast in roles regardless of what the original actors may have looked like. In our version of this show, for example, different members of a family may be performed by actors of different races and ethnic backgrounds.

How the auditions will work

Request an audition appointment at musemachine.com (under the “Musical & Concert” tab, select “Info”). The earlier you request an appointment, the better your chance of getting the time you want. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointed time. Your appointment will consist of a private song and monologue audition and also a group movement and dance audition. You will be free to leave after all parts are complete. Your entire appointment may run anywhere from approximately 90 minutes up to approximately three hours, depending on the specific time of your appointment. All the details will be made clear for you when the Muse staff person calls you to set up your appointment, including specific arrival and departure times.

What to bring with you

• Muse membership card or a note from your advisor confirming your Muse membership
• Four copies of a recent picture of yourself. Your face should be clearly visible (computer print-outs are fine)
• One copy of the sheet music of your song for the accompanist (and one for yourself, if you like)
• One copy of your monologue for us (and one for yourself, if you like)
• For the dance audition, wear exercise/gym clothes or dance clothes (not baggy!)
• For the dance audition, if you happen to have jazz, ballet or modern dance shoes, bring those. Otherwise, wear flat sole shoes such as Keds or Vans (not high-traction shoes).

Most of the performers in our shows have not had previous dance training! We are looking for personality, rhythm and character, not just training! Likewise, most of our auditionees do not have dance clothes – they are not required. The change of clothes is so you can look nice for your song/monologue and then have an outfit that does not restrict movement and keeps your temperature cool for the dance audition.

During the audition you will…

• Sing: Bring a memorized song that does not exceed one minute (shorter is fine – 16 bars is ideal). Most songs are a lot longer, so choose the best section that shows off your voice (you don’t have to start at the beginning). A song from a Broadway show is preferable but you may sing anything you wish, with one exception: do not sing a song from this show. Websites such as musicnotes.com, onlinesheetmusic.com or sheetmusicplus.com are great online resources to purchase and download sheet music. In most cases, you can also change the key of the song to suit your range. Announce the title and composer before you begin. Remember to bring a copy of the sheet music for the accompanist. Do not plan to sing acappella or with a recording. Please do not perform a song from The Little Mermaid — but a song in that same style may be a very good idea! We’ll provide an accompanist, but you may bring your own accompanist if you prefer. Be sure to practice using the same sheet music that you bring to the audition—if you only practice with the recording, you may find that the sheet music is very different! A choir director at school or church would probably be happy to play through the song with you. We simply want to see and hear what everyone can bring to the table — do what you do best!

If you would like to hold a copy of your sheet music when you audition, please bring a second copy for yourself.

• Present Your Monologue: Bring a memorized monologue that does not exceed one and a half minutes (shorter is fine). Announce the title and author before you begin. If you need a quick resource for a monologue, we suggest checking out collected monologue books at local bookstores. Online stores such as Amazon.com have a large selection, though you cannot look through them first, and not every book will have something that suits you. You can also transcribe a monologue from a movie or TV show (turn on the captions and type it out). Consider that you will probably be playing an adult—not a teenager. Also, you are auditioning for a musical comedy—please do not use poems, Shakespeare or “monologues for young people” (which are usually not from any play/musical/movie/TV show). We emphasize that last point—use a monologue from an actual play, musical, movie or TV show, not from a book that wrote their own monologues just for auditions. Books with titles like “Monologues for Young Actors” tend to be awful places to find monologues. Please do not do a monologue from any version of The Little Mermaid.

If you would like to hold a copy of your monologue when you audition, please bring a second copy for yourself.

• Dance: The entire group will assemble for the movement and dance audition. You will be taught a brief dance routine. You do not need previous dance experience—the format of the audition is simply “do what I do”.

What will be expected of me if I am cast?

You will need to be available for rehearsals at the Muse Machine studio, Monday – Thursday from 4:30—8:30pm, Saturdays from 10:00am—5:00 pm, and Sundays 1:00—5:00pm. We will not rehearse on most Fridays. Each actor will only need to attend selected rehearsals. A complete schedule will be available at the time notification letters are sent. We are extremely flexible with school conflicts for other performances, etc. There can be no rehearsal conflicts January 6—16. You must be willing to try new things, work hard, meet new people and have fun!

Audition tips

• Be confident—if you make a mistake, just continue with the monologue or song. If you need to backtrack a bit before resuming, that’s fine. As long as you’re basically prepared, mistakes don’t count against you. We’re friendly, we know how nerve-wracking auditions can be, and we just want to see what you can offer.

• Speak up! The Victoria Theatre holds almost 1,200 audience members. They need to hear you—and so do we.

• Personality counts—show yours! Personality can be a huge factor in making the cast. We cannot emphasize this enough!

Location of the auditions

The Muse Machine third floor offices and fourth floor studio in the Metropolitan Arts Center (next to the Victoria Theatre near the corner of First and Main Streets); 126 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Look for the awning which says “The Loft”.

Request an audition appointment