Audition Reflections

On Saturday and Monday, over twenty individuals auditioned for Seussical in Price Auditorium. Beginning with vocal selections and ending with dancing, I was truly astounded by the amount of talent found at Hood College. Students from a wide variety of classes, majors, and backgrounds auditioned, making my responsibilities extremely difficult.

After hearing everyone's songs, ranging from "Money, Money," "A Whole New World," and "Dentist!" I closed my eyes and imagined these individuals bringing Dr. Seuss' beloved characters to life on Brodbeck's stage. How animated would this individual act? Does the student truly understand the literary and historical backgrounds of the characters? Is the performer having fun and enjoying the company?

After spending an hour dancing, I immediately knew I was going to enjoy directing more than I expected. I was amazed at how well students took direction, how much laughter (painful) musical theatre smiles can create, and the visual difference between stressed, drilled dancing and light-hearted, giggly movements.

The company learned that there are no straight lines in Dr. Seuss books, so their movements on stage should never be direct, linear, or produced. We explored both horizontal and vertical leveling between performers, and imagined how our actions and expressions are experiences from the audience's perspective.

And, voila! After much thought, here is the official cast of Seussical! 

Audition Tips from Former HCSMT Leaders!

Former HCSMT Leaders Jahtay Teh, Ashley Birdsell,
Elaheh Eghbal, Billy Lewis, & Kellie Dunan
at their senior convocation ceremony.

Former executive board members were recently asked to provide some tips for students auditioning for Seussical in the coming days…

Ashley Birdsell is currently a MFA candidate at Brooklyn College, studying Performing Arts Management. She also works as a Programming and General Management Associate at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts.

The co-founder of HCSMT and director of Avenue Q offered this advice to students: “Own the space. I’ve seen so many auditions of people who are super talented, but don’t realize it. Have the stage presence to make me listen to what you’re saying. Take me on journey from the minute you walk in the door.”

Billy Lewis, the other co-founder who always made rehearsals fun, said this: “no matter what, just have fun! Show that you are fun to work with and do whatever you can to help out.”

Lastly, Kellie Duncan, an impeccable former Hood performer, remarked: “If you show the people casting that you are confident and having a good time with the number, it will come off better than you looking distressed and looking at your feet during the dance.” Duncan is a youth counselor for Norwegian Cruise Lines, based in Hawaii.

All three focused on song choices, advising students to select appropriate numbers that are similar in style and genre to Seussical. Most importantly, the song should showcase the range and talent of the individual auditioning.

So what are their top three tips?

1.            Imagine: Have an open mind.

2.            Create: Show off your talent effectively.

3.            Explore: Do your research.

Built For The Imagination

Seussical's set, built by the fantastic volunteers Mrs. Teresa Case and her husband, will feature many HCSMT 'firsts' as our productions continue to expand.

Authors Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty took a "less is more" approach when eliminating some of Seussical's physical aspects prior to its first national tour. The famous duo, known for their broadway classic Ragtime and Disney favorite Anastasia, recognized the show was driven by the audience's imagination - connecting the show's scenery and theme.

Void of space and time, our set will follow this artistic choice. With a show that entangles over six Seuss stories, our stage must easily transform from the Jungle of Nool, to Whoville, to the Circus McGurkus... You can see how Ahrens and Flaherty struggled with Seussical on Broadway.

HCSMT's creative team is constructing a set that maximizes the vertical and horizontal planes on the tiny, music-hall stage in Brodbeck. Two 12-foot long catwalks on opposite sides of the stage allow performers to be amongst the audience, eliminating the need for scenery during Seussical's narrative-driven numbers. With a single, compact spotlight on characters 12 feet from the stage's apron, the audience's imagination will create the scenery, aided by expressive performers.

Vertically, the set features a faux proscenium, masking the famous columns flanking Brodbeck's stage. Acting as the binding of a book, this set piece spring fourth the performance's plot.

Nearly 30 feet behind the proscenium will be an 8-foot black wall, featuring silhouettes of Dr. Seuss' famous drawings, including Truffula trees, staircases, and who-homes. Extending the length of the stage, these flats will be placed similarly to Avenue Q's dwellings.

Behind this wall is a giant scrim, or white screen, reflecting LED colored lights, intended to direct a scene's mood. Illuminating from holes and crevices, this light will effectively contrast the black silhouette flats directly between the scrim and the audience. Patterns and moving lights will produce a "northern lights" effect behind the performers.

Lastly, three circular flats, with diameters of 8, 6, and 4 feet (stacked) will create a giant wedding-cake style moving flat. With a variety of roles, including the Who's dust speck and Horton's nest, this flat will create three different vertical planes during the performance. Expect this piece to move throughout the performance and be equipped with patterned lights moving to the beat of the music!

Our set will allow the audience to imagine, create, and explore the world of Seuss through the lenses of their imagination. Lighting and special effects from Parlights, INC with flashy, expressive costumes on our performers will easily transform the music hall into a vortex of possibilities. Like a Dr. Seuss book, each audience member will have their own, unique visual reaction. It's truly a set built for the imagination.

We're Whos Here!

A Couple Children's Ensemble Members
Show Off Some Funny Faces!

HCSMT's first children's ensemble rehearsal, held this evening in Brodbeck Music Hall, was an outstanding success! Members of the ensemble learned the choreography to Hear on Who, their debut number in Seussical. After receiving a tour of Brodbeck Music Hall (including several WOWS! after seeing their fancy green-room) the group was center stage performing box steps, coordinated hand gestures, even a few Charlestons!

Children's Director Julianne Berg led an orientation meeting with the children's parents during rehearsal, explaining rehearsal procedures, ensemble pictures, costumes, and volunteer shifts. To take a quote from her welcome letter to the parents, "we hope your children will imagine their possibilities, create timeless memories, and explore their theatrical talents during our production of Seussical."

Tomorrow is a busy day for HCSMT - including a morning meeting with Parlights, our contracted theatrical lighting provider, and set construction around noon!

Tale of Two Moves

Seussical Set Materials En-Route to Price Auditorium

May 29, 2013 found HCSMT members transporting Avenue Q set pieces from Price Auditorium into a storage room in Alumnae Hall. Amidst 90 degree heat and a blazing sun,  2 X 4's and plywood was carefully tucked away for Seussical.

Fast forward to January...

This time, within swirling snow drifts and temperatures struggling to reach 25 degrees, Seussical director Travis Gilbert, children's director Julianne Berg, and tech team member Jaime Ramirez loaded handfuls upon handfuls of lumber onto a truck bound for Price Auditorium. Graciously assisted by SGA Student Life Chairperson Ray Rivera, the team collected the supplies for tomorrow's inaugural set construction day.

Check back tomorrow for a feature on Seussical's set and the volunteers who are building this unprecedented stage design.

Calling All Children!

Director Travis Gilbert with a Safe Harvest
Participant

Hood College Student Musical Theatre will be holding open auditions to fill a children's ensemble for their 2014 spring production of Seussical.

Auditions will be held November 4th and 7th from 7 - 9 PM in the Coblentz Seminar Room on the Hood College campus. Please follow signage for the event.

Any child, grades 4 -7, may audition. No preparation or experience is necessary and attendance at only one evening is required.

Pre-registration may be completed at hood.edu/seussauditions

Please spread the word as HCSMT looks give back to the Frederick community and provide leadership opportunities for its members.

Check out our article in the Frederick News Post!

T-Minus 24 Hours!

Are you ready for tomorrow's cabaret?

Doors will open in Whitaker Commons at 8:30 PM and seating is first-come, first-serve. Please arrive early because the venue will reach capacity quickly!

Be sure to bring $1 bills for tips! All proceeds will be donated to Hood College's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes team, which raises money for the Heartly House.

Hood College Soccer Team - Team Britney

The upstairs balcony will be opened for any audience members who wish to stand and/or sit on the floor during the performance.

Please make plans to attend the Drag 101 Talkback after the show in Whitaker 220! Light refreshments will be provided.

Over 50 students participating in this year's Gender-Bender Cabaret held a dress rehearsal this evening in Gambrill Gymnasium.

Special kuddos to the Soccer team, who practiced their number this evening after their game.

Who are you supporting? Team Madonna or Team Britney?