Near West Theatre announces AUDITIONS for THE WIZ Youth Cast (ages 9-15) November 28, 29 & 30 , 2016 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Come one of these evenings. Plan to stay for the entire time specified. See list of roles below! The Wiz runs February 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19, 2017 Rehearsals begin Monday, December 12, 2016 (will not be rehearsing during the holidays) AUDITION SITE: Near West Theatre (6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102) If you are unable to audition on the dates listed above, or you have questions, call our office at 216-961-9750, Mon.-Fri. 11am-4pm or EMAIL info@nearwesttheatre.org<mailto:info@nearwesttheatre.org> ABOUT THE AUDITION: This is a group audition in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. No experience or preparation required. Dress for movement. Please plan to stay for the entire time specified, and arrive 15 minutes before audition time to register. Anyone arriving after the starting time will not audition that day. At Near West Theatre we encourage everyone to audition. People of all experience levels, races, ethnicities, neighborhoods, sizes, gender identities and backgrounds are needed. We use theater to build community and relationships. We're a great place to express yourself and make friends. Come try us! Bring a friend! ABOUT THE SHOW A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music. Adapted into a film version featuring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, and recently performed on NBC Live, this timeless tale of Dorothy's adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, modern musical that is entertaining and delightful for the whole family. Known as The Super Soul Musical, The Wiz is a fantasy for today; mysterious, opulent and fanciful, a groundbreaking Broadway show that brought Oz to life in a funky sing-along journey down the yellow brick road! Book by William F. Brown Music & Lyrics by Charlie Smalls Lots of roles, all open, plus a huge singing and dancing ensemble. A crazily energetic experience. The Wiz will be directed by Kelcie Nicole Dugger. Choreography by Josh Landis. Stage Management by Kate Atherton. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS DOROTHY: Female (Range: Mezzo Soprano, G3-B5) Bright eyed and alive as can be. Would rather remain a child as long as possible instead of accepting the responsibilities that come with growing up. SCARECROW: Male (Range: Tenor, D3-A4) Tired of being a scarecrow and the prospect of not going anywhere. Embarks on the journey to see The Wiz in hopes he can provide a brain. TIN MAN: Male (Range: Baritone, E3-A4) Human at one time. Lost all his limbs to a cursed axe. Joins in the journey in hopes the Wiz will provide him a heart because "it isn't enough to be good looking." LION: Male (Range: Baritone, G2-Bb4) Travels around the jungle scaring people, but has "a yellow streak a mile wide." Coward state stems from deeper mother issues and gets regular counseling from an owl. Joins in the journey to see the wiz to gain some courage. ADDAPERLE: Female (Range: Mezzo Soprano, F3-C5) Good Witch of the North. Has magic powers she refers to as "doing tricks." Her magic abilities don't always pan out as well as she would like them to. AUNT EM: Female (Range: Mezzo Soprano, G3-C5) Dorothy's Aunt. Life has not been easy for her and promises little else. Harsh towards Dorothy at times, but acts out of love. UNCLE HENRY: Male (Range: Non-Singing) Dorothy's Uncle. Physically run down from years of hard work on the farm. Often acts as the voice of reason towards Aunt Em. GATEKEEPER: Male (Range: Non-Singing) Guards the gate to the Emerald City. THE WIZ: Male (Range: Tenor, C3-A4) All powerful leader over the land of Oz. Hides his true nature behind the façade of a temperamental leader. His true identity is an enigma. EVILLENE: Female (Range: Alto, Bb3-Db5) Wicked Witch of the West. Low-down evil. Not a kind bone in her body nor kind thought in her rotten mind. LORD HIGH UNDERLING: Male (Range: Non-Singing) Weak coward. Evillene's number one. WINGED MONKEY: Male (Range: Non-Singing) Servant of the Wicked Witch of the West. Summoned to do her bidding. The mere mention of him brings fear. GLINDA: Female (Range: Alto, C4-Eb5) Good Witch of the South. Prettiest of all the witches. Very wise in the way of show-business. ENSEMBLE: TORNADO, MUNCHKINS, CROWS, KALIDAHS, POPPIES, FIELD MICE, EMERALD CITY CITIZENS, SOLDIER MESSENGER, and MORE!