Beck Center for the Arts Youth Theater, one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theaters in the country, will be holding auditions on February 3 and 4, 2024 for their final production in their 75th season. THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company Direction by Carolyn Demanelis Musical Direction by Heidi Herczeg Choreography by Sarah Heffner The popular classic returns to Beck Center’s Youth Theater stage. Dorothy Gale of Kansas dreams of what lies beyond the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over that rainbow to the Land of Oz where Dorothy, and her pup Toto, meet the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Together they learn about friendship, bravery, and ultimately, that there is no place like home. Featuring a score of classic songs including the timeless “Over the Rainbow,” you won’t want to miss this family favorite. Audition/Callback dates: (open to Beck Center students, ages 6 to 19*) • Saturday, February 3: 1:30 to 4:30pm • Sunday, February 4: 10:00am to 1:00 pm Callbacks: Tuesday, February 6 between 4:30 and 8:30pm Sign up for a half hour audition slot (starting 1/17 4:30pm) online via Signup Genius http://tinyurl.com/WOZaud *Youth Theater roles are only eligible to students who will be enrolled in our Winter/Spring 2024 semester. Actors do not need to be enrolled at the time of the auditions, however, participation in the production requires enrollment in our Winter/Spring 2024 semester. Students enrolled online and in person in the Theater, Dance, Music, Creative Arts Therapies, and/or Visual Arts Departments are equally eligible. *Please note that class sizes and offerings are limited at this time, so please register in advance if possible. Bottom line: if you are accepting a role in the show, you will need to enroll prior to the start of rehearsals. Any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Clare, Associate Director of Theater Education, at sclare@beckcenter.org. Unlike some other youth theaters, there is NO additional participation fee required beyond enrollment. What to Prepare: • Prepare a short one minute monologue or poem (Memorization is strongly encouraged.) • Prepare a musical theater song, either up-tempo or ballad, up to one minute long. *An Accompanist is provided. Sheet music is strongly encouraged. • Prepare a Headshot (picture of your student), and resume for online submission • Prepare a list of all potential rehearsal conflicts Potential Rehearsals: February 29 – May 4, 2024 • Mon, Tue, Weds, Thurs, Fri: between 4:30 – 8:30 pm • Saturdays: between 1:30 – 5:30pm • Sundays: between 12:30 – 5:30pm The show will NOT be rehearsing every day or the full time range listed. The director will pick the days that best accommodate everyone’s schedules once conflicts and availability are known for the above dates. *We will not rehearse March 29-April 4, 2024 Tech Week: May 5-May 9, 2024 Sunday between 12:00 – 7:00pm and Weeknights between 5:00 – 9:00 pm All cast members are expected to attend ALL rehearsals during Tech Week. Performance dates: May 10 – 19, 2024 All cast members are required to attend all performances. Thursday, May 16 at 10:00am and 7:30pm Fridays, May 10, 17 at 7:30pm Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm Sundays, May 12, 19 3:00pm Student Matinee: Thursday, May 16 at 10:00am (NOTE: This will require missing school that morning.) ***We may add additional performances if the show sells out in advance*** * * * * * * Located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs students, and gallery exhibits featuring local, regional and international artists. For more information visit beckcenter.org.