WaterTower Theatre Announces Auditions for Mary Poppins

WaterTower Theatre invites local AEA and Non-AEA actors to audition for its production of MARY POPPINS, the last show of the 2023-2024 Season. Open to both Equity and Non-Union. All roles are open to all ethnicities.

WaterTower Theatre is dedicated to diversity and inclusion as a core value, and as such we strongly encourage actors of all ethnicities and gender identities to submit. In reference to the character descriptions below—most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide (from language developed by Kevin Kantor and Emily Tarquin from the Actors Theatre of Louisville). LOCAL DFW ACTORS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT

All positions are paid. Equity (SPT 6 rate), Non-Equity Adult ($150 per week) & Non-Equity Child ($50-75 per week) contracts are available.

Mary Poppins:

A Musical Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film

Original Music & Lyrics By: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Book By: Julian Fellowes

New Songs and Additional Music & Lyrics By: George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

A delight for both grown-ups and children- we can all learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it." Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft with flying effects by ZFX.

Rehearsals: 6/18/24-7/16/24

Performances:7/17/24-7/28/24, Wednesday 7:30pm, Thursday 7:30pm, Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Sunday 2:00pm. Possible addition of a student matinee during the 2nd week of the show TBD.

DETAILS:

WHO:

Director: John De Los Santos

Music Director: Cody Dry

Choreographer: Vasthy Mompoint & John De Los Santos

Producing Artistic Director: Shane Peterman

Associate Producer & Covid Compliance Officer: Elizabeth Kensek

WHEN: AUDITIONS:

General Auditions for adults:

Saturday September 2, 2023 from 10:00am to 10:00pm (music director will not be present)

Sunday September 3, 2023 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Callbacks:

Dance Callback: Sunday September 3, 2023 at 4:30pm

Principal Callback: Monday September 4, 2023 4:00pm-10:00pm

Child actors- please submit Video auditions before midnight on 8/30

You may be invited to a kids’ dance call on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 3pm and/or principal callbacks on Monday September 4th.

WHERE: WaterTower Theatre Addison Theatre Centre 15650 Addison Road Addison, TX 75001

SEEKING:

Note: Proper British dialects are requested for applicable characters.

Mary Poppins:

Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.

Age: 25 to 35

Vocal range top: C6

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

Bert:

The narrator of the story is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.

Age: 30 to 35

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: B2

George Banks:

The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.

Age: 40 to 45

Vocal range top: Eb4

Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Winifred Banks:

George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.

Age: 30 to 35

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Jane*:

The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.

Age: 11 to 12

Vocal range top: F#5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Michael*:

The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave to get the attention of their parents.

Age: 9 to 10

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Mrs. Brill:

The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.

Age: 50 to 60

Vocal range top: D#5

Vocal range bottom: F#3

Bird Woman:

Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.

Age: 50 to 70

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

Miss Andrew:

George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.

Age: 40 to 50

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

Bank Chairman:

The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.

Age: 50 to 60

Vocal range top: D4

Vocal range bottom: C3

Katie Nanna:

Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.

Age: 30 to 40

Policeman:

A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.

Age: 20 to 40

Miss Lark:

The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.

Age: 30 to 50

Admiral Boom:

A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.

Age: 50 to 70

Robertson Ay:

The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy, and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.

Age: 20 to 30

Vocal range top: G#4

Vocal range bottom: F3

Park Keeper:

Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.

Age: 20 to 40

Miss Smythe:

The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary.

Age: 40 to 60

Von Hussler:

A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.

Age: 30 to 50

John Northbrook:

An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England.

Age: 30 to 50

Ensemble: Mrs. Corry, Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Statues, Parkgoers.

*NOTE: Child roles will be double cast.

(Some additional ensemble roles to be played by child actors: Valentine, Teddy Bear, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Statues, Parkgoers.)

PREPARATION: Actors should come prepared with a 16-32 bar cut of music in the style of the show. Singing from the show is always acceptable.

Actors will be asked to stop if you go over this time limit. Actors must provide their own sheet music in the correct key. Actors should bring their book in case the creative team would like to hear more.

Headshot and resume are required at the audition. AEA and Non-AEA roles are available. All roles are local hire. No housing or travel can be provided.

For dance callback- please bring dance shoes & tap shoes.

All adult actors must be able to pass a background check as a requirement for employment in addition to COVID 19 testing procedures during rehearsals and performances as required by WaterTower Theatre. Covid tests are provided by the theatre at no cost.

ADULT ACTORS ONLY SCHEDULE AN AUDITION HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084AACA62BAAFC1-chaplin

CHILD ACTORS- please submit Video auditions before midnight on 8/30 here: https://airtable.com/appkuQI5vpL3riyp0/shroJ3DW4Ef84gnzd

LOCAL ACTORS who are unable to attend local auditions may also submit a video audition here:

https://airtable.com/appkuQI5vpL3riyp0/shroJ3DW4Ef84gnzd