by Bill | Feb 8, 2016 | Announcements, Auditions
Photo credit – University of Texas at Arlington
Quick reminder that auditions for Hard Road’s spring musical, FIRST DATE, are tonight (Monday) at 7:00 in the Highland Elementary chorus room
FIRST DATE is a small cast musical that both audiences and cast members will love. Looking for a challenging role? This will do it.
If you are auditioning, we’re asking you to fill out the audition form online before coming tonight. You can link to it here It’s easy, trust me.
If you would like more information, the casting call poster follows:
See you tonight!
by Bill | Feb 2, 2016 | Announcements, Auditions, Casting
Do you remember your first First Date? Well, this show is nothing like that! You will actually enjoy going on this date.
FIRST DATE is just that – a blind date that unfolds in real time. The couple quickly finds they are not alone in this unpredictable evening. Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents who sing and dance the pair through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.
This could also be one of the most challenging shows in which you have ever performed. Aside from our main couple, everyone plays multiple roles. This is a true ensemble show.
There are roles for 3-4 women and 3-4 men. Lots of singing and dialog and very little dance (so, if you avoid musicals because you can’t dance well – like me – cast your worries aside!)
Auditions are next Monday, February 8th at 7:00 in the Chorus Room at the Highland Elementary School. Have a musical number prepared – modern show tunes would be a good choice (you should put away your Rogers and Hammerstein Songbook) and be prepared for some cold readings from the script. AND – here’s the change from our traditional auditions – fill out your audition form BEFORE you come. Our form is online and will be very easy to complete. If you have a picture or theater bio you’d like to submit, you can upload it with your form. Pretty easy, huh? To access our form, go HERE or HERE or even HERE.
Callbacks will be held the following night at the same location.
Performance dates are April, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23. Rehearsals will begin late February. Bill Sullivan is directing the show (that’s me) and David Wilton is the musical director. Guaranteed good times!
See you Monday night?
by Bill | Jan 19, 2016 | Auditions
In a bold, unprecedented move . . . OK, maybe not so bold, but certainly not common in this area . . . the audition form for Hard Road’s spring musical, First Date, is now an online form. You can now use your phone, tablet or laptop to fill your audition information BEFORE you show up for auditions!
Admit it – don’t you hate filling out the form at auditions? You forgot to bring your black-out dates, and can’t quite remember all the shows you were in and, “wow, my handwriting really sucks!”
Now you don’t have to worry. Go HERE to access the form and fill it out at your convenience. Your director (that’s me) will now have everything beforehand and the entire evening will proceed smoothly. What? You have a photo you want to attach? No problem – at the end of the form there’s an option to upload photos or documents so you can even add a theater resume if you already have one prepared.
So, let’s see . . . online audition form . . . do beforehand . . . any digital device will work. . .do it HERE . . . photos . . . yada, yada, yada.
Yup, got it all! See you at auditions for your new favorite show!
by Tom Varner | Jan 18, 2016 | Auditions
by Tom Varner | May 7, 2015 | Auditions
Sponsored by Bradford National Bank, Hard Road is pleased to announce auditions for SHREK. Adult auditions (those 18 and older) will take place on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are roles available for 35 adults. Adults should come prepared with 32-38 measures of a Broadway-style song that suits their voice. The director will be looking to see a performer’s character as well as listen to their vocals. Those auditioning should also be prepared to read scenes from the script and learn a short dance routine. In addition, please be aware of any conflicts you might have between May 22nd – August 3rd, 2015.
Children (ages 10-17) auditions for SHREK will take place on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are between 5-7 roles for children in SHREK. Audition materials for children can be found here:
Children SHREK Audition material
Boys auditioning should be prepared to sing “I’m a Believer”. Girls ages 10-13 who are auditioning should be prepared to sing measures 1-43 of “I Know It’s Today” and girls ages 14-17 who are auditioning should be prepared to sing measures 48-90 of “I Know It’s Today.” Memorization is not required. In addition, children auditioning might be asked to read sides from the script. Please be aware of any conflicts children might have between May 22nd – August 3rd, 2015.
SHREK callbacks for both children and adults will be on Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the same location.
Children who are already cast in one of Hard Road’s summer youth musicals (DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. or ZOMBIE PROM) can still audition for a role in SHREK.
Performance Dates for SHREK are July 24-26, 31 and Aug. 1-2.
If you have any questions, please contact Evan Fifer at evan@hardroad.org.
by Tom Varner | Apr 9, 2015 | Auditions, Youth Auditions
Here is the audition information needed for our 2015 summer youth musical auditions.
Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
Zombie Prom
Auditions for both ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. and ZOMBIE PROM will be held at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL 62249 on Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd. Sign-ups for ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. begin at 11:30 a.m. and auditions for that show will go from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. THOSE WANTING TO AUDITION FOR ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR. MUST ARRIVE BEFORE 12:00 p.m. TO AUDITION. Sign-ups for ZOMBIE PROM will begin at 2:30 p.m. and auditions will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. THOSE WANTING TO AUDITION FOR ZOMBIE PROM MUST ARRIVE BEFORE 3:00 p.m. TO AUDITION. ALL THOSE AUDITIONING SHOULD COME DRESSED NICELY. PICTURES/HEAD SHOTS FOR PUBLICITY STILLS, PROGRAM DISPLAYS, ETC. WILL PROBABLY BE TAKEN AT AUDITIONS. In addition, all those auditioning should come wearing closed-toe shoes: no flip-flops or sandals. Music, recordings, and etc. needed for auditions can be found on the link above as well as here for ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. and here for ZOMBIE PROM.
Those youngsters who are cast in either one of the youth musicals can still audition for a part in SHREK.
Performance dates for ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR. are scheduled for June 25-28 and performance dates for ZOMBIE PROM are scheduled for July 9-12.
A note about the music for ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR.: if singing “The Golden Afternoon” stop at measure 46 and if singing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” stop at measure 20.
Lastly, here are some hints to prepare for auditions for our youth summer musicals.
Singing:
- Please prepare one of the chosen pieces to sing.
- The character that the song is originally for does not need to be the part you are auditioning for, pick the song that best suits your voice! Also, sing the song in the octave that is comfortable for you.
- It is not required that the song be memorized.
- You will sing the song with the accompaniment CD (i.e. No voices singing your part). It is important that we see you can sing your own part with an accompaniment.
- You may be asked to do some simple singing exercises to show us your range. We want you to do great, so relax and don’t worry!
Reading:
- Please be familiar with all of the readings as the director may choose any of them for you to perform.
- The readings DO NOT need to be memorized (just be comfortable with the text)!
- The director may have you read lines for a character that he/she doesn’t want to cast you in because she just wants to hear how your voice sounds.
- Be flexible and show us your personality.
Joke:
- Please be prepared to tell us a favorite joke. The directors may or may not ask for this. In doing so, they want to see your personality (and also just laugh!).
Personality:
- This is the most important part: be yourself and have fun!
