Bye Bye Birdie: Audition Packet - Tenafly Public Schools · 2019-11-14 · Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 2 BYE, BYE BIRDIE: PLOT SUMMARY Bye, Bye Birdie is set in 1958. Rock-n-roll

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 1

Bye Bye Birdie: Audition Packet

Greetings students! This audition packet will assist you in preparing to audition for Bye,Bye Birdie. In this packet you will find: (1) a summary of the plot of the musical, (2) a list of characters and their descriptions, (3) Schedule (4) Permission form (5) Audition form.

All sheet music, mp3 recordings, and scene selections are on the TMS website under the “Bye, Bye Birdie” link.

1. Read through – along with your parent(s) - the permission form. This form has important rules, guidelines, and rehearsal dates.

2. If you and your parent feel you can make this commitment, you and your parent(s) should also complete the audition form.

**Return the signed permission form to the main office no later than Monday December 2.

**BRING YOUR AUDITION FORM to your audition.

3. Prepare for the audition using the information provided in this audition packet and the material that is on the TMS website.

*Read the summary of the show and the description of the characters. *Listen to the music and read the scenes that have the characters you are interested in auditioning for. Links to the scenes, vocal tracks AND sheet music for the song selections can be found on the Bye,Bye Birdie page on the TMS website.

Each performer should prepare:

**At least 1 song selection (All Auditionees MUST sing at the audition)

"Put on a Happy Face": Should be sung for Albert, Mr. MacAfee. Can be used to try out for male/female ensemble.

"How Lovely to Be a Woman" Should be sung to try out for Kim. Can also be used for Ursula, or any female teen

"An English Teacher" Should be sung to try out for Rosie. Can be used for Mrs. MacAfee as well.

"Honestly Sincere" Should be sung to try out for Birdie.

"A Lot of Livin' to Do" Can be used for any role or ensemble.

**The scene associated with at least one character. (If the character you would like to audition for does not have a scene listed, or if you are not sure which part you would like to audition for, choose any other scene you like.)

Although we suggest you audition with material that corresponds to the role (or roles) in which you are interested, you will be considered for all roles (male or female).

4. Vocal and acting auditions are Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3. Some students will be asked to return on Thursday, December 5 for Dance/movement auditions. You must be available to attend this audition. Call-back auditions will be conducted on Friday December 6 and Monday December 9 (and Tuesday the 10th if deemed necessary).

If there are any questions, please feel free to email [email protected].

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 2

BYE, BYE BIRDIE: PLOT SUMMARY

Bye, Bye Birdie is set in 1958. Rock-n-roll idol Conrad Birdie (a character inspired by Elvis Presley) has

been drafted into the army. His agent and songwriter, Albert, as well as Albert’s secretary, Rosie, are worried

that without Conrad their music corporation will go bankrupt. So, they concoct a plan to send Conrad Birdie off

in style on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Birdie will sing Albert’s new song, One Last Kiss, and bestow one last

symbolic kiss upon one lucky fan chosen at random: Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio. They hope this

will sell Birdie's new song, and ultimately save Albert’s failing record label. With this plan in mind, Albert and

Rosie head to Ohio for Birdie's arrival where the teen fan club is waiting and everything begins to unravel:

Kim's father is star struck about appearing on Ed Sullivan, Kim's steady, Hugo, gets jealous at the thought of

her kissing Conrad on TV, Albert’s controlling mother, Mae, gets involved, as does a town full of colorful

characters, including lots of excited teenagers and their parents.

BYE, BYE BIRDIE: CAST of CHARACTERS

Albert Peterson: The president of the Almaelou Music Corporation and Conrad Birdie’s agent. He is a bit of a

nervous-type, who pays more attention to his mother than to his girlfriend; large role requiring good comic

timing and singing.

Rosie Alvarez: Albert’s secretary and want-to-be fiancé who gets fed up with waiting for him to propose. She

is headstrong and willing to do what it takes to get Albert to give up the music business and settle down. Lots of

featured singing and dancing.

Conrad Birdie: The teen heartthrob “Elvis-style” rock star who has been drafted into the army. He does not say

much, but conveys a lot with his swagger, body language, and of course, music.

Kim MacAfee: the self-confident young teen member of Conrad Birdie’s fan club, who considers herself more

mature than her “Conrad-Crazy” girlfriends.

Hugo Peabody: (non-singing part) Kim’s deeply devoted and steady boyfriend, an All-American boy, who

becomes struck with jealousy when Conrad comes to town.

Mae Peterson: (non-singing part) Albert’s nagging and controlling mother. She worships him but won’t let him

make his own decisions. Comedic role.

Mr. Harry MacAfee: Kim’s father, who thinks he’s in control of his family and teenaged daughter (but,

frustratingly, is not).

Mrs. Doris MacAfee: The tireless, caring mother of Kim who knows just how to handle her irritable husband.

Ursula Merkle: The hyper-enthusiastic teen-aged best friend of Kim, and a MAJOR Conrad Birdie fan who

leads the girls in screaming for Conrad Birdie.

Conrad Birdie Fan Club Teens: Helen, Nancy, Alice, Margie, Penelope, Deborah Sue, Freddie, Karl

These teens have featured solos and speaking lines

Randolph MacAfee: Kim’s younger brother; sings in one feature song. (Is also in ensemble)

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 3

Harvey Johnson/ensemble: nerdy teen who can’t seem to get enough of the gossip in telephone hour.

Mayor: Mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio, who welcomes Conrad Birdie to town. (Is also in ensemble)

Mayor’s Wife: Mayor’s wife, Edna, who cannot escape the power of Conrad Birdie’s spell. (also in ensemble)

Gloria Rasputin: The gum-chewing, dancing secretary who is Mae Peterson’s choice to replace Rosie as

Albert’s fiancé. (Appears in one scene; is also in ensemble)

The ENSEMBLE: The ensemble is a HUGE part of this show. There is a LOT of SINGING and

DANCING. All of the smaller roles above also double in the ensemble in addition to:

Teenagers: Lots of energetic male and female singer/dancers AND other roles: Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Merkel

(and other parents of the teens) Policeman and Reporters.

BYE, BYE BIRDIE: Rehearsal Schedule

*All rehearsals will take place after school from 3:15-5:30 unless otherwise noted.

*Rehearsals will generally take place on M, W, Th unless there is a shortened week, in which case replacement

dates have been scheduled: Tues 1/21, Fri 2/21, Tues 3/10, Fri 3/13

*Not all cast members are called for every rehearsal

*In the final two weeks, rehearsals take place daily and are mandatory (3/15-3/28)

*Two Sunday rehearsals are mandatory (3/15, 3/22)

January February March Mon Jan 6 Mon, Feb 3 Mon, Mar 2

Wed, Jan 8 Wed, Feb 5 Wed, Mar 4

Thurs, Jan 9 Thurs, Feb 6 Thurs, Mar 5

Mon, Jan 13 (beginning 1pm) Mon, Feb 10 Mon, Mar 9 (beginning 1pm)

Wed, Jan 15 Wed, Feb 12 Tues Mar 10

Thurs, Jan 16 Thurs, Feb 13 Thurs, Mar 12

Tues Jan 21 Wed, Feb 19 Fri, Mar 13

Wed, Jan 22 Thurs, Feb 20 Sunday, Mar 15 - ALL called; TIME TBA

Thurs, Jan 23 Fri, Feb 21 Mon, Mar 16

Mon, Jan 27 Mon, Feb 24 Tues, Mar 17

Wed, Jan 29 Wed, Feb 26 Wed, Mar 18

Thurs, Mar 19

Thurs, Jan 30 Thurs, Feb 27 Fri, Mar 20

Sunday, Mar 22 -- ALL called; TIME TBA

Mon, Mar 23

Tues, Mar 24

Wed, Mar 25: Dress Rehearsal, 5:30-8:30pm

- Thurs, Mar 26: Final Dress, 5:30-8:30pm

- Fri, Mar 27: SHOW (7pm)

Sat, Mar 28: SHOW (3pm)

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 4

Bye, Bye Birdie: Permission Form

Dear Parents: Your child has expressed an interest in auditioning for the TMS spring musical, “Bye, Bye Birdie.” to be presented

March 27th and 28th, 2020, in the TMS Auditorium. Please read through the below guidelines, signing if you are

agreeable to all.

*Auditions: Students must sign up in the main office for the first round of auditions. Students will be asked

to sing and read from the script. Callbacks for dance/movement will be held on Thursday and possibly Friday,

12/5 and 12/6. Call-backs for further vocals and readings will be held Friday, 12/6, Monday 12/7, and possibly

Tuesday 12/8 (if needed).

Not everyone gets a call-back, BUT, students can be cast in the show even if they are not called-back.

Likewise, being called-back does not guarantee a role in the show. Students should be open to being cast in a

variety of roles.

*Rehearsals and attendance: Not everyone will be needed for every rehearsal. Rehearsal dates are listed

in this packet and online on the TMS website. Before auditioning students should be available for the listed

dates. A character-specific rehearsal schedule will be handed out every three weeks, although changes may

occur due to the progress of the play. You will receive an email every Sunday reminding you of the rehearsal

schedule for the upcoming week. The schedule will also be posted under a link on the TMS webpage. Cast

members must be present at rehearsals for which they are called. All planned absences should be indicated

on the audition form, and unplanned absences should be kept to a minimum and preceded by an email to

[email protected].

*Multiple absences for any reason may result in decreased involvement in or removal from the production.

*All rehearsals two weeks prior to the shows (including Sunday rehearsals) are mandatory.

*Pick-Up Time: There is no supervision in the school after rehearsal hours, student pick-up times are firm.

*Cast expectations: This will undoubtedly be a fun and exciting experience; working on a musical

together starts to feel like being in one big fun family! However, it is also a lot of work. Students must come to

rehearsals on time; they are expected to have their script and a pencil at every rehearsal and take notes on

blocking, choreography, music, etc. If a student misses a rehearsal, he/she is expected to get missed notes. If a

student has a break during the rehearsal and is not required onstage, the student must be sitting in the auditorium

doing homework, memorizing lines, etc.; they must not be disruptive to those rehearsing. Students may not use

their cell phones while they are rehearsing. We always strive for a supportive, cooperative atmosphere as we

create our production.

Having read through the guidelines with my child and having examined the proposed rehearsal schedule in

this packet, I give him/her permission to audition, and, if selected, be in the 2020 TMS musical Bye, Bye Birdie.

I also give my permission for the HSA Performing Arts committee to use my contact information for show-

related communications. This form must be turned into the middle school office by the end of the school day on

December 2, 2019.

Student’s printed name:__________________ Parent’s phone number:________________

Student’s signature:______________________ Parent’s email address(s):_______________

Parent’s Signature: ______________________ Student’s email address:________________

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 5

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Form (please bring this completed form to your audition)

Please fill out or circle where appropriate. Please write as neatly as possible.

First & Last Name________________________ Nickname? ____________

Grade_______ Team___________________ Homeroom #___________

Cell Number ____________________ Email _________________

—————————————————————————————————-

Parent/Guardian Name _________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email(s) _________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Phone #(s)______________________

—————————————————————————————————

Role(s) you are interested in: ____________________________________

Will you accept any role that you are offered? ____Yes _____No

Previous shows & roles you have performed in: (previous experience NOT required!)

Show______________________ Show______________________

Role_______________________ Role_______________________

Location: ___________________ Location: ___________________

Do you have any special talents? (i.e. cheerleading, ballet, gymnastics, juggling, etc. Explain!)

Bye, Bye Birdie Audition Packet .TMS 6

Please review the proposed rehearsal schedule with your parent(s) and list any potential conflicts you have after

school (clubs, sports, religious, school). Please also write the dates/times that they meet.

*Please note that major parts cannot be given to those with rehearsal conflicts*

*Please note that the Sunday rehearsals and the tech rehearsals are mandatory*

Do you have any medical concerns we should be aware of? (Severe food allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc?)

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Don’t forget….

please bring this completed form to your audition!