ALEXANDRIA AREA HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DEPARTMENTSPRING MUSICAL 2015 Mary Poppins, by Sherman, Sherman, Fellowes, Stiles, and Drewe

ARTISTIC TEAM Jessica Chipman, DirectorKayla Noble, Assistant DirectorRaymond Noble, Assistant DirectorJay Chipman, Technical DirectorLynne Cosmano, Costume Construction

AUDITION TIMESOpen to all students in grades 9-12. Students are only required to attend one audition session. Auditions will be held in the AAHS PAC.Thursday, January 15: 7:00-10:00pmSaturday, January 17 1:00-4:00pmCALLBACKS (if needed)Saturday, January 17 5:00-7:30pm CREWIf you are interested in being on crew only, please fill out the form on pages 21-22 and return to Mrs. Chipman.

PIT ORCHESTRAIf you are interested in being in the pit orchestra only, please contact Raymond Noble at rnoble@alexandria.k12.mn.us. MARY POPPINSWe are thrilled to be one of the first high schools in the U.S. to perform this lovely, exciting, and memorable musical! A full plot synopsis as well as character list including ages and vocal ranges can be found at http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000329.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE / DATESRehearsal: February 16-April 16Times: Weekdays (with the exception of Wednesdays), 6:30-9:30.

No more than two Saturdays.Not all cast members will be called for every rehearsal. Once the show is cast, you will be made aware of the specific rehearsals you will be asked to attend. The schedule will be given to you with plenty of time for you to make arrangements to be at rehearsal.Performances: April 17-19, 2015

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CREW TIMESWednesdays, 3:30-5:30. SET CONSTRUCTION TIMESSaturdays, as needed. Cast and crew members can serve on construction crew, as well as non-cast and crew members. Cast members will be called for at least one Saturday construction date.

STAGE MANAGERWe are seeking a dynamic, competent, knowledgeable individual to serve as our student stage manager. This is a student leadership role with a lot of responsibility. Interviews will be conducted for the stage manager. Please see the crew sheet for further information.

AUDITION SPECIFICSPlease bring the following to your audition:Yourself (wear moveable clothing)A pencilA bottle of waterYour completed audition form (see below)

Your audition will consist of three parts:1. Vocal audition: this is a pre-selected song (see below). We will sing through the song in

a group and then you will sing individually.2. Dance audition: this is a series of eight-counts from the song “Jolly Holiday” that will be

taught to you by our choreographer at the audition. You will learn this in groups and then perform in groups.

3. Dialogue audition: there are pre-selected audition sides (see below). You will have a few minutes to rehearse the side with someone at your audition, and then you will perform the scene together.

NOTE: Not all songs/audition sides will be used for the first round of auditions. If you are looking to prepare music prior to your audition, prepare the melody of the audition songs, not the harmony.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS1. Will Mary Poppins fly? Yes, Mary Poppins and Bert will both fly. We are hiring a

professional theatrical fly team to help us with this task.2. How many students will you cast? This is always dependent upon our auditionees, but

we hope to have a medium-to-large cast.

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3. Will you cast high school students as Jane and Michael? This is dependent upon many factors: the person who plays Mary Poppins, the auditions of high school students, and the vision for the show. If you have your heart set on playing Jane or Michael, prepare for that audition. We’ll go from there.

4. Will the same student play Birdwoman and Miss Andrew, as is customary? Similar to the above situation, this is dependent upon the students who audition. If you have your heart set on playing both, prepare for that audition.

5. Will we be using dialect in this show? If so, should I use dialect for my audition? Yes, we will be using both Standard British and Cockney dialects. Your audition is up to you. Be warned it would not be in your best interest to attempt a dialect and then bomb. It is not required for your audition, but will be taught for the production.

6. What are the directors looking for? We’re looking for students who are easy to work with who best suit the heart of the show. We are looking for students who are unafraid to take risks and win an audition. We hope that’s you.

CONTACTIf you have questions, please contact Jessica Chipman at 320.424.2240, jchipman@alexandria.k12.mn.us, or jchipman@alexschools.org.

1. MARY POPPINS, GEORGE BANKS, WINIFRED BANKS

MARY POPPINSGood morning.

GEORGE(approaching MARY POPPINS)

Yes?

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MARY POPPINSI’ve come in answer to the advertisement.

GEORGEWhat advertisement? We haven’t placed any advertisement. Not yet.

MARY POPPINSGeorge and Winifred Banks live here, do they not?

GEORGEMr. and Mrs. Banks live here, yes.

MARY POPPINSAnd you are looking for a nanny?

GEORGEWell, I suppose--

MARY POPPINSVery well then. Now, let’s see.

(From her pocket, MARY POPPINS takes a torn but now mended piece of paper.)

“Play games, all sorts.” Which I most certainly can. “Take us on outings, give us treats. Rosy cheeks and fairy pretty.”

(to George)

There’s no objection on that score, I hope?

GEORGE(Blushing)

Oh, none at all.

MARY POPPINSI’m glad to hear it.

(MARY POPPINS stares at him so firmly that, for a moment, it is like a ray of light passing right through him.)

GEORGEBut--oh, take it up with Mrs. Banks. She manages all that side of things. Nothing domestic has

anything to do with me! And don’t forget the references.

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(GEORGE is gone, leaving WINIFRED and the newcomer starting at each other. After a moment, MARY POPPINS speaks.)

MARY POPPINSI make it a rule never to give references.

WINIFREDBut I thought it was usual.

MARY POPPINSA very old-fashioned idea to my mind. The best people never require them now.

WINIFREDI see. You will have every third Thursday evening off from five until nine.

MARY POPPINSThe best people give every second Wednesday from six ‘til late, ma’am, and that is what I shall

take.

WINIFREDOh, I see . . . well . . . it’s all settled, then . . .

MARY POPPINSAs long as I’m satisfied. I’ll see the children now, thank you.

WINIFREDOf course . . . You’ll find they’re very nice children . . . Now this is . . . oh.

(WINIFRED is surprised to find that she has employed someone without knowing her name.)

MARY POPPINSMary Poppins.

2. JANE BANKS, NELEUS, MICHAEL BANKS

(NELEUS is a statue. He is on a plinth, which is a type of platform.)

MICHAELJane. Did that really happen?

JANEYes. But how?

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NELEUSMary Poppins, of course.

(The children gasp--it wasn’t a dream!)

MICHAELHow do you know Mary Poppins?

NELEUS(Approaches the children)

She’s an old friend of my father.

MICHAELYour father! You’re a statue. You can’t have a father!

NELEUSWell if that’s true, why do I miss him so much?

JANEIsn’t he one of the other statues?

NELEUS(Shakes his head sadly)

No. He lives far away from here.

JANEDo you really miss him?

NELEUSWouldn’t you miss your father if you hardly ever saw him?

MICHAELI’ll have to think about that.

3. Mrs. Brill and Robertson Ay

ROBERTSON AYI’d like to be helpful.

MRS. BRILLI’d like to be rich. But the Good Lord thought otherwise.

ROBERTSON AYPlease, Mrs. Brill. I don’t mind, honest.

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MRS. BRILLAll right. I will give you one task and one task only. And, so help me, if you get this wrong I’ll

swing for you and sing as they pull the lever!

ROBERSTON AY(filled with a sense of the task’s importance)

What is it, Mrs. Brill?

MRS. BRILLPut the icing tools next to the cake, and I’ll need a bowl of hot water to warm them. I will make

the icing as soon as I’m back.

ROBERTSON AY(simultaneously committing the tasks to memory)

Icing tools . . . cake . . . hot water . . . I will make the icing as soon as I’m back . . .

MRS. BRILLNow, do you think you can manage that?

ROBERTSON AYIs that all?

MRS. BRILLFor you, yes. For me, no. Once the cake’s done, I’ve the sandwiches next because Madam wants them fresh. So I can’t start them until there’s no time to finish them. I swear, a slave in

ancient Rome was on a pleasure cruise compared to my life in this house!

4. BERT AND MARY POPPINS(Bert sits on the roof, whistling and holding a chimney sweep’s brush.)

BERTCoo . . . what a sight!

MARY POPPINSOh. So you’re a sweep now, are you?

BERTThe best view in the world, eh? And who gets to see it? The birds, the stars, and the chimney

sweeps. Nothing to beat it, eh?

MARY

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Bert . . .

BERTOh, you’re going, then?

MARY POPPINSThe wind has changed.

BERTBut they’re good kids, Mary.

MARY POPPINSWould I be bothering with them if they weren’t? But I can’t help them if they won’t let me, and

there’s no one so hard to teach as the child who knows everything.

BERTSo?

MARY POPPINSSo they’ve got to do the next bit on their own. Goodye, Bert.

5. MISS ANDREW AND MARY POPPINS

(Miss Andrew is looking for her liquor. Mary Poppins steps out of the shadows, holding out the offending bottle.)

MARY POPPINSIs this what you’re looking for?

MISS ANDREW(explodes)

Who are you?

MARY POPPINSI’m Mary Poppins.

MISS ANDREWMary Poppins? But you left without notice!

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MARY POPPINSAnd I’ve come back without notice.

MISS ANDREWI see. And what do you expect me to do?

MARY POPPINSPack.

MISS ANDREWPack! You insolent young person! How dare you speak to me in this way?

6. WINIFRED BANKS AND GEORGE BANKS

WINIFREDI suppose we do need a nanny, George. Is it out of the question to do without one?

GEORGEDon’t be absurd! Of course we need a nanny! All the best people have nannies! So the wives

can do charity work and entertain. Which reminds me, how is your tea party coming on?

WINIFREDI’m not sure. It seems so odd to send out invitations to people I hardly know.

GEORGEBut they’re people you should know. Remember: “By your friends shall ye be judged.”

WINIFREDBut that’s the point. They’re not my friends . . . George, I was an actress. Lots of people might

find that interesting . . . though you always talk as if I should be ashamed of it.

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GEORGEWell, it’s not exactly something to be proud of!

(GEORGE has hurt WINIFRED’s feelings, which was not his intention.)

Winifred. Dearest. I’m only thinking of you. I want people to admire you, to respect you.

WINIFREDI know, George. But sometimes it’s hard--

GEORGEIt is not hard. It’s your job, to be Mrs. Banks.

WINIFREDAnd what is your job?

GEORGETo pay for everything.

(GEORGE turns his attention to his desk again. WINIFRED leans in, startling him.)

GEORGEWhat is it?

WINIFREDI was only going to kiss you.

GEORGEOh . . . Oh! All right.

(GEORGE lifts his face for a rather unsatisfactory kiss. Sadly, WINIFRED starts for the door.)

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7. BERT, MARY POPPINS, MICHAEL, JANE

BERTStay right where you are. I’d know that silhouette anywhere: Mary Poppins!

MARY POPPINSIt’s nice to see you, Bert.

BERTWhy, I must say you do look swell.

(MARY POPPINS snorts, but as she pats her hair, it is clear she agrees.)

MICHAELHow does he know you? He can’t know you! You’ve only just arrived!

MARY POPPINSI wasn’t born one minute before I walked into your house, Michael Banks. Have you met these

two, Bert?

BERT

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I’ve seen ‘em runnin’ about chasin’ a kite.

MICHAELIt isn’t a real kite.

BERTSo, what are you up to?

JANEMary Poppins says it’s a game. It’s called “A Walk in the Park.”

MARY POPPINSCome on, Bert. You’re due for a break, and you promised you’d take me out when we met

again. Or have you forgotten?

JANEMary Poppins, is he really coming with us?

MARY POPPINSWhy shouldn’t he?

JANEWell, to start with, he’s very dirty, isn’t he? Father would never approve.

BERTWhat’s that?

MICHAELYou can’t come with us. You’re too dirty. And we don’t want to go to the stinky park anyway.

BERTOh, yes you do. ‘Cause when you walk with Mary Poppins, you go to places you never

dreamed of. And if she says it’s a game, she’s got something in mind. You can be certain of that.

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SPOONFUL OF SUGAR (MARY)

FEED THE BIRDS (BIRDWOMAN/MARY POPPINS)

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CHIM CHIMINEY (MARY/BERT)

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JOLLY HOLIDAY (BERT)

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BEING MRS. BANKS (WINIFRED)

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ALEXANDRIA AREA HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DEPARTMENT AUDITION FORM

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Name: ________________________________________ Grade: ________________

PLEASE LIST PARTS YOU WOULD BE MOST INTERESTED IN:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number: ________________________________ Email address: _________________________________Parent names: __________________________________Parent email address(es):_______________________________________________________Age: ____ Gender: _____ Height: ______Hair color: _____ Eye color: ____Are you willing to . . .Dye your hair? YES___ No___ Cut your hair? YES ___ No___ Perform a stage kiss? YES ___ NO___ “Fly” in the fly space? YES__ NO___ (Students playing Mary and Bert must check yes here.)

X____________________________________________ Signing by the “x” indicates you will accept any role offered to you.

Are you available for callbacks, if needed? (Saturday, January 17 at 5:00pm) YES___ NO___Please list any physical limitations the directors might need to know (medical conditions, etc.):

What musical background do you have? (If you sing, what part do you sing? What instruments do you play?)

What dance, gymnastics, or movement background do you have? Do you have any special talents, such as juggling, etc?

Please list any and all previous acting experience (include show and role):

Please list any and all previous crew experience (include specific responsibility):Alexandria Area High School Theatre Department treats theatre as a team, and the crew is the foundation of the production. Our crews are important to the success of the production—we

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love our crew members! Please number your TOP FOUR crew interests, with “one” meaning most interested (leave blank if you are not interested in crew):____Stage manager: multitude of responsibilities, calls cues during run, director’s right-hand person____Costume Crew: will pull, fit, find, and put together costumes____Light Crew/Operator: sets, rotates, gels, focuses lighting equipment; operator programs and runs board____Sound Crew/Operator: finds and mixes sound clips; operator programs and runs sound board____Properties Crew: finds or creates all properties____Publicity Crew: develops and distributes promotional materials including videos and posters____Hair and Make-up Crew: designs styles for each character; applies during run of show____Construction Crew: works with set designer to build set; construction experience is helpful____House crew: works to ready the theatre for production, sells tickets, hands out programs, ushers In order to be considered for a role in this production, please list ANY AND ALL recurring OR one-time conflicts you have on weekdays from 3:00-9:30 p.m. Also list where you work or any church or school-related activities. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OUT.

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