About The Secret Garden:"This enchanting classic of children's literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers," spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. Winner of 3 Tony Awards."
(Samuel French, 1992)
About the Auditions Process and Rehearsal Schedule:
Rehearsals will typically be held Monday through Thursday from 7:00pm until 10:00pm starting in June and running through the end of July when performances get underway. We are aware that summer can be a busy time for families and we'll do our best to reasonably work around actor's schedules. In the coming weeks, we'll release a more detailed schedule that will call for specific actors on specific days and times. Though we can't prepare for everything, we'd like to minimize the amount of time cast members are sitting around idly when they're not needed for a scene or musical number. Obviously, those actors cast in principal roles can expect to spend much more time at rehearsal, whereas chorus or supporting cast may only be expected to attend one or two evenings in a given week. As we approach the final weeks of rehearsal, however, all actors will be needed for run-throughs and dress rehearsals so you may need to reconsider auditioning if you have a number of unavoidable conflicts in the second half of July.
This production requires extensive singing, so those trying out for principal parts may bring the sheet music for a song of their choice or use one provided at the time of the audition. In addition to the principal roles, there are numerous opportunities for smaller singing parts and chorus, as well as a few speaking-only roles. (See below for detailed character descriptions and check out the blog posts for further information about the play and links to hear the musical numbers).
When you arrive, you'll be asked to complete an audition form which will include your contact information, vocal/acting/dancing experience, and known scheduling conflicts. Actors will have the opportunity to be seen individually (or in pairs if you'd prefer a partner) and can sign-up for specific times in the lobby throughout the evening. You only need to attend one of the two audition nights. Your audition will consist of performing part of a song you've prepared (in which case, please provide sheet music to our accompanist) or a song from the show made available for sight reading. We will engage you in some simple vocal exercises so we can identify your singing range, then we'll wrap up your audition with some brief scenes from the script to hear you read for the character(s) of your choice. We look forward to seeing you there!
Character Descriptions:
The following list offers information about the roles to be cast. While the vocal ranges are generally fixed, the ages are flexible for some of the parts and represent the age range for the character, not the actor playing the role. The Secret Garden has a slate of principal characters, as well as secondary supporting characters referred to as "The Dreamers" (denoted by asterisks). These are ghosts from Mary's life in India--those who died in the cholera--and actors cast in chorus roles will be a part of this group of "ghosts."
Mary Lennox (mezzo)
Female lead (11 years old)--orphaned in India, sent to live w/ uncle in England, 100+ speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Female lead (11 years old)--orphaned in India, sent to live w/ uncle in England, 100+ speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Archibald Craven (tenor)
Male lead (30-60 years old)--wealthy, grieving master of English manor in ill health, 50+ speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Male lead (30-60 years old)--wealthy, grieving master of English manor in ill health, 50+ speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Lily Craven (soprano)
Female lead (25-40 years old)--deceased wife of Archibald who lovingly haunts him, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Female lead (25-40 years old)--deceased wife of Archibald who lovingly haunts him, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Colin Craven (boy soprano)
Male supporting lead (10 years old)--invalid son of Archibald and Lily, 80+ speaking lines, participates in 3 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting lead (10 years old)--invalid son of Archibald and Lily, 80+ speaking lines, participates in 3 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Martha (mezzo)
Female supporting lead (16-40 years old)--maidservant and friend to Mary, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos and ensemble)
Female supporting lead (16-40 years old)--maidservant and friend to Mary, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos and ensemble)
Dickon (tenor)
Male supporting lead (16-30 years old)--Martha's spritely brother, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Male supporting lead (16-30 years old)--Martha's spritely brother, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)
Dr. Neville Craven (baritone)
Male supporting lead (25-50 years old)--Archibald's embittered brother, 60+ speaking lines, participates in 4 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting lead (25-50 years old)--Archibald's embittered brother, 60+ speaking lines, participates in 4 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Ben Weatherstaff (baritone)
Male supporting lead (45-70 years old)--gruff, elderly gardener at manor, 20+ speaking lines, participates in 2 songs (quartet and ensemble)
Male supporting lead (45-70 years old)--gruff, elderly gardener at manor, 20+ speaking lines, participates in 2 songs (quartet and ensemble)
Mrs. Medlock (speaking only)
Female supporting lead (40+ years old)--strict head housekeeper at manor, 30+ speaking lines, non-singing role
Female supporting lead (40+ years old)--strict head housekeeper at manor, 30+ speaking lines, non-singing role
Captain Albert Lennox (tenor)*
Male supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased father, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased father, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Rose Lennox (mezzo)*
Female supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased mother, few speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Female supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased mother, few speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Fakir (tenor)*
Male supporting (18+ years old)--deceased Indian friend to Lennox family, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting (18+ years old)--deceased Indian friend to Lennox family, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Ayah (alto)*
Female supporting (18+ years old)--Mary's deceased Indian nanny, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Female supporting (18+ years old)--Mary's deceased Indian nanny, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Lieutenant Peter Wright (baritone)*
Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Lieutenant Ian Shaw (tenor)*
Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Major Holmes (bass)*
Male supporting (30+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Male supporting (30+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Claire Holmes (soprano)*
Female supporting (25+ years old)--deceased wife of Major Holmes, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Female supporting (25+ years old)--deceased wife of Major Holmes, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Alice (soprano)*
Female supporting (20+ years old)--deceased friend of Rose Lennox, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)
Mrs. Winthrop (speaking only)
Mrs. Winthrop (speaking only)
Female cameo (30+ years old)--headmistress that visits the manor, 10 speaking lines, non-singing role
Major Shelley (speaking only)
Major Shelley (speaking only)
Male cameo (30+ years old)--officer in Mary's father's unit responsible for transporting Mary to England, 3 speaking lines, non-singing role
Mrs. Shelley (speaking only)
Mrs. Shelley (speaking only)
Female cameo (25+ years old)--Major Shelley's wife responsible for transporting Mary to England, 1 speaking line, non-singing role
Chorus (SATB)*
Males and females (18+ years old)--additional deceased people from Mary's life in India, participate in several large ensemble numbers as singers and/or dancers
Chorus (SATB)*
Males and females (18+ years old)--additional deceased people from Mary's life in India, participate in several large ensemble numbers as singers and/or dancers
