Audition Information
Please read the entire page:
For those who are interested in auditioning and who can commit to each show’s production schedule please review the below information.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Note from the Director
Dear auditionee,
Maumee Valley Civic Theater (MVCT) is pleased to announce auditions for its 2023 summer musical production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Please make sure you read all audition information, as it will help answer any questions you may have.
MVCT strives to be inclusive and family oriented. Anyone age 6 and over are encouraged to audition. Please look over the list of characters to see details on all lead, featured, children’s chorus and ensemble members. You DO NOT have to live in Napoleon to be a participant in our shows.
Also, you will find a basic rehearsal times and days, audition details (Including: Song, video audition options, dance and script reads), participation fee details, fundraising requirements, build day details, and much more.
We know schedules are hectic during the summertime especially, and you may have conflicts with work, sports, vacations, etc. Please take the time to list all conflicts on the audition form. When one actor is missing from rehearsal it affects the others in the show, the productivity of rehearsals and ultimately, the final product. Conflicts will be considered when making casting decisions, please be honest when filling out your audition form. We request that everyone who has been cast in the show not miss any rehearsals after July 4th unless prior approval and notification has been given to the production team. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be handed out at the first read and will be updated as needed.
This year we will continue to require a Participation Fee: $50 for all actors and $25 for those in the children chorus members – WHY? This helps us with set, lighting, sound, props, costumes, advertising, and show rights. It truly takes a village to produce a show. We also ask each cast to help support the production by selling at least $100 in either Program ads, patron donations, corporate donations, shoutouts/break-a-leg messages, and/or in orders during our show specific, if announced, fundraiser. We are offering a family discount with the fundraising portion this year, if you have more than one member of your immediate family in the cast, you only need to sell $200 per family. As a reminder, this is in addition to the Participation Fee. **The participation fee and fundraising requirement SHOULD NOT deter anyone from auditioning and participating. There are several ways for you to accomplish this. If this is something you need help with, please see the Production Staff for guidance (as a reminder there is not a family maximum for Participation Fees for this show). **
Please take the time and fill out all forms (they will also be available at auditions) and make sure you bring them to your audition. This production is sponsored by: The Henry County Hospital
Thank you for your support of the Arts in Henry County and Maumee Valley Civic Theater!
Jeffrey Tonjes
Director/President
Maumee Valley Civic Theater
Audition and Show Details
Production Staff
Director Jeffrey Tonjes
Assistant Director Amanda Tonjes
Music/Vocal Directors Rhonda Lehman and Shannon Miesner
Choreographer Lily Parsell
Technical Director Josh Miesner
AUDITIONS:
Sunday, May 14 5:30PM – 8:30PM*
Monday, May 15 5:30PM – 8:30PM*
Callbacks, if needed and invited, will be on May 16th (Actors will be contracted Monday evening if necessary)
Auditions will be held at Kids Haven (440 Independence Drive, Napoleon, OH 43545)
NOTE: * You only have to attend one audition date.
SHOW DATES AND TIME
July 27-29 and August 4-5 at 7:00 PM and August 6 at 2:00 PM
SHOW LOCATION
Napoleon JR/SR High School Gymnatorium (701 Briarheath Ave, Napoleon, OH 43545)
REHEARSAL LOCATIONS
In Napoleon. Exact locations TBD
BASIC AUDITION DETAILS
This year’s show will again have many opportunities for all ages. Please note we are looking for actors, singers and dancers for this show. Audition Form, Audition Information (including Show Contract, Waiver and Release of Liability, and Costume form) and tentative schedule is available on our Audition Page online and will be available at the audition. If you are unable to audition during these times, please contact us at auditions@mvctohio.org prior to May 13th.
Due to the tight rehearsal schedule, all conflicts must be presented during your auditions. Conflicts presented after the first rehearsal may not be honored. Please note that excessive conflicts will affect casting decisions. PERFORMANCE CONFLICTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED So please ensure ALL conflicts during the rehearsal and show period are noted on the audition form.
Communication will be done through phone, email, Remind app and Facebook groups. Please list a valid email address and phone number on the audition form and audition registration. We suggest that you have your actor have the ability to get at least the messages from the Remind app.
All who audition will also get their headshot taken at auditions which will be used for casting announcements, social media, and program. So please dress appropriately.
AUDITION SONG SELECTIONS
Each auditionee this year should be ready to sing 16-32 bars (no more than 2 minutes) of a song of your choice.
Here is a great article to help you pick a song: https://www.theatretrip.com/audition-songs-for-joseph/
additional SONGS/CALL BACK SONGS
Auditionees may be asked to sing one of the following songs above with rehearsal track during their audition and/or a specified call back time.
Song List:
Joseph: Close Every Door
Narrator: Potiphar (additional songs may be added)
Pharaoh: Song of the King
Brothers: One More Angel in Heaven, Those Canaan Days
The vocal score can be found on the MVCT website to obtain the sheet music for these songs – https://mvctohio.org/audition-information/castcrewportal/. Also, you may listen and practice with the provided accompaniment by logging into the ROCS Rehearsal Tracks using the below instructions. It is also a good idea to review the soundtrack to familiarize yourself with the show.
Call Backs if needed and by invitation only will be Tuesday, May 16th.
VIDEO AUDITION
If you are unable to make the general auditions (we strongly recommend an in-person audition), an accompanied video recording of your audition song, the song of the character you are wanting to audition for, and with a scale run for range, may be submitted before May 13, 2023, at 8:30 PM to auditions@mvctohio.org.
Please send via unlisted YouTube link. If this is not possible, please email auditions@mvctohio.org with any questions or concerns.
DANCE/MOVEMENT AUDITION
You will be asked to participate for a group movement audition with our Choreographer. Please do not feel intimated if you consider yourself “not a dancer”, you will learn basic steps at the dance/movement audition. The Production Team is looking for your willingness and if you can follow the choreography. We will also be looking for our lead dancers during this audition.
A video of the dance/movement can be found on our audition page of the website below.
REHEARSAL TRACKS THROUGH ROCS
Rehearsal Tracks to practice the songs for this show can be Download Show Ready App to practice at home. SHOW READY is “rehearsal mode” (this one allows you to isolate just your voice part)
- In app store search “Show Tracks” https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stage-tracks/id543773926 or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rightoncueservices.stagetracks&hl=en_US&gl=US
- Download
- Username: Maumee Valley Civic Theater – OH
- Password: POLE-GLAZED-MARSHY-WAILED-AROUND-MOLTS
TYPICAL REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Rehearsals will generally be 1 to 3 times a week during June on Sunday (1PM-5PM), Monday (6-9PM), Tuesday (6-9PM), or Thursday (6-9PM) in Napoleon. In July rehearsals will be more frequent closer to the show. These rehearsals will be divided into blocking, vocal, choreography, and run of the show. Extra private music rehearsals may be called for principal roles. Should you be cast, you will be contacted by the Vocal Director for your availability and scheduling. You may also contact the Vocal Director if you would like to schedule more time working on the music outside the rehearsal process.
Please also note there are scheduled set build/paint days that we require everyone to participate (family members are strongly encouraged to help)
PARTICIPATION FEE
There is a participation fee to participate in this summer’s show. Since the Maumee Valley Civic Theater (MVCT) relies on donations, program ad sales, ticket sales, and your participation fee to ensure our shows are high quality. This fee helps with obtaining the rights for the show, costumes, set pieces, props, and advertising. Please note you may be asked to provide certain costume pieces for the show not limited to shoes, pants, shorts, etc.
| ALL | $50 |
| CHILDREN CHORUS | $25 |
FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT
This year, MVCT expects all cast to help support the production by selling at least $100 in either Program ads, patron donations, corporate donations, shoutouts/break-a-leg messages, and/or $100 in orders in announced fundraiser (if available). These forms and instructions will be provided at the first read and through online.
If you have more than one member of your immediate family in the cast, you only need to sell $200 per family. *Please note this is in addition to the Participation Fee.
**The participation fee and fundraising requirement SHOULD NOT deter anyone from auditioning and participating. There are several ways for Actors to accomplish this. If this is something you need help with, please see the Production Staff for guidance (as a reminder there is not a family maximum for Participation Fees for this show). **
CDC GUIDELINES
currently masks will not be required at rehearsal or during the performance of the show, however they may be required depending on the status of Covid 19. ALL actors and those involved with the show must be willing to comply if this happens. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands before and after rehearsals and if you are not feeling well, you should not attend rehearsal. (If you are sick and cannot make rehearsal, please let a production staff member know ASAP) These guidelines are subject to change.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
The story of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a tale that follows the journey of a dreamer. Joseph is the son of Jacob and one of twelve brothers. He is given a coat of many colors by his father, which is symbolic of his favor and an object of his brothers’ jealousy. The brothers decide to sell Joseph into slavery after initially plotting to have him killed. Convincing their father that his favorite son has died, they reveal his tattered coat and believe that they are rid of him once and for all. From his homeland of Canaan, Joseph is taken to Egypt where he becomes the slave of Egyptian millionaire Potiphar and earns his trust. Managing his household, he soon has to ward off the affections of Potiphar’s wife. Enraged and unwilling to assess the situation, Potiphar has Joseph thrown into jail where he interprets the dreams of his cellmates. The prisoners are awed by his hidden talents of interpretation and encourage Joseph to pursue dreams of his own.
Joseph’s fortunes take a turn for the better as the Pharaoh hears rumors of his talent. Having strange recurring dreams about cows and ears of corn, the Pharaoh asks Joseph what his mysterious dreams could mean. Joseph determines that they are omens of a famine that will swipe the land in seven years. This foresight allows actions to be made to prevent devastation and grants Joseph a position as the second most powerful man in Egypt. Back in Canaan, Joseph’s brothers are afflicted by starvation and regret their treatment of Joseph. Hearing of the prosperity of Egypt, they unknowingly ask for Joseph’s help. He devises a test to see if his brothers have changed their ways, and finally reveals himself donning his Technicolor dreamcoat once again.
CHARACTERS
(roles are open to performers of all ethnicities and gender identity/expressions)
JOSEPH: Male, Tenor – Eleventh and favorite son of Jacob. Confident and charming. Vocally strong.
NARRATOR(S): Male or Female, Tenor or Soprano – The audience’s guides through the story. The narrators tell Joseph’s story with word and song. Can command the stage while directing focus to story elements. Strong singers with great energy.
PHARAOH: Male or Female, Baritone or Mezzo – Egypt’s ruler, considered a god on earth. Searching for the meaning behind his/her dreams. Portrayed as a world-famous rock star. Full of energy and confidence. May also be cast as a member of the greater ensemble.
POTIPHAR: Male, Baritone – Rich, self-indulgent, and sophisticated Egyptian capitalist. Makes Joseph the leader of his household. Strong character actor with a powerful speaking voice. May also be cast as a member of the greater ensemble.
MRS. POTIPHAR: Female, Alto – Indulgent and confident in her pursuit of what she wants, which at this time happens to be Joseph. May also be cast as a member of the greater ensemble.
JACOB: Male, Baritone – Aged father of Joseph and his 11 brothers. Strong character actor who can sing and move well.
BUTLER: Male or Female, Tenor or Mezzo – Pharaoh’s right hand. While in jail, Joseph interprets the Butler’s dreams to a positive outcome. May also be cast as a member of the greater ensemble.
BAKER: Male or Female, Tenor or Mezzo – Head of Pharaoh’s kitchen. While in jail, Joseph interprets the Baker’s dreams to a less-than-positive outcome. May also be cast as a member of the greater ensemble.
JOSEPH’S BROTHERS: Male or Female, Various Ranges – Jealous of Joseph being their father’s favorite son. May also double as general ensemble in some scenes.
WIVES: Female, Various Ranges – The 11 wives of Joseph’s 11 brothers. Will also double as general ensemble in some scenes.
ENSEMBLE: Male and Female, Various Ranges – Actors, singers, and dances serving as Ishmaelites, Egyptians, Canaanites, and other characters within Joseph’s story.
CHILDREN’S CHORUS: Male and Female, Various Ranges – These young actors (will help tell the story throughout the show. This is a great start for any young actor who is interested in theater.
