Faust International

Programmes

Audition Notice!

We would like to invite you to audition for a role in Faust International Youth Theatre’s upcoming production of Cinderella!
This production is directed by Emma York and will be performed from December 5^th – 8^th 2024 at the McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre.

To audition, applicants must be aged 8 or above and be registered in
Term 1 of a weekly Faust group (Season 26, Term 1).

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ABOUT THE SHOW

We are looking to cast approximately 25 enthusiastic young actors aged 8 and up, to star in the exciting retelling of this classic story. We are looking for passion, enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in to this joyous production that will be filled with music, energy, movement and humour.

Our new and exciting version of Cinderella will be told as a play and is not a musical. However, we do hope to feature moments of singing and live music so if you love to act and enjoy a bit of a song or dance, then this is an opportunity not to be missed. Please note that you do not need to be a strong singer or dancer. You need to have enthusiasm, energy and a fire within your belly to tell a great story!

The roles include; Ella, four Step-Siblings, the Prince, Ella’s Step-Mother, the Birds (Ella’s Fairy Godmothers), the Queen, Villagers and Palace Guests. Not all roles will be speaking roles but the importance of each role is as great as the other and absolutely essential in the piecing together of this story.

In addition to the roles specified, we are also on the lookout for a Palace Band - a small group of actors who can play the Violin, Cello, or Guitar at a confident level, as well as one or two Vocalists. If you play these instruments and/or sing, and would like to be considered for a role as an Actor Musician, then please make this clear by ticking the relevant boxes on the audition form. You will need to prepare a one-minute piece / song that can be performed to us live as part of your audition.

ABOUT THE AUDITIONS

Audition Dates

5:00pm to 8:00pm Friday 27^th September (for ages 13 to 19)
5:00pm to 8:00pm Saturday 28^th September (for ages 8 to 12)

Auditions are open to all registered Faust members aged 8 to 19. Please note that to audition and perform in this production, you need to be a paid member of any weekly Term-Time Faust workshop group during the period of rehearsals and performances.

To apply, please complete the online audition form no later than Thursday 26^th September or email Auditions@FaustWorld.com for available slots.

A specific audition time will be sent to you after receipt of the audition form. Audition times will be allocated based on availability.

Tell your friends! If you have a friend who may be interested in auditioning, feel free to share this audition notice. Once they are registered in a Term 1 Faust workshop group, they are welcome to apply to audition.

PREPARATION FOR THE AUDITION

Once you fill in the audition form, you will be sent a confirmation email with an audition piece to prepare.

Auditions are held in groups of 10 and will last approximately one hour.
The audition will involve movement, a small amount of singing and a sharing of the audition piece that you have been asked to prepare.
We encourage all actors ages 12 and up to learn their audition piece. If you are one of our younger actors, we ask you to just be familiar with the text. Of course, you are most welcome to learn the lines if you wish.
Every child who auditions will be welcomed warmly and encouraged to do their best.
All participants should arrive for the audition in comfortable clothing that they can move in.

We are looking for a diverse cast and encourage you to share with us YOUR interpretation of the lines you have been asked to perform. There is no wrong way. Only your way. The rest, believe it or not, is out of your hands!

If you are not cast, please remember that this is not about how well you did. It's more about the creative team finding the right balance and fit. There will always be more opportunities ahead.

Parents will be notified via email on Monday 30^th September of the audition results.

Participants are expected to approach this audition and production in a serious and professional manner. Large amounts of energy, enthusiasm, patience and commitment will be needed from children and parents alike. Please check your other commitments before deciding to audition.

PRODUCTION COMMITMENT

Please have a look over the details below and discuss the production commitment with your child. Productions have up to three rehearsals a week and it is essential that every effort is made to ensure children attend all rehearsals called. During production week, children will also be called to rehearsals and performances in the theatre during the day. All actors must be able to attend all rehearsals and productions during production week.

Production Week (3^rd to 8^th December 2024)

Dress and Technical rehearsals – Tuesday 3rd December & Wednesday 4th December, Late Afternoon/ Evening
Performances – Thursday 5^th December to Sunday 8^th December
- Thursday & Friday evening performances
- Saturday & Sunday daytime and evening performances
All performances take place at the McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wan Chai

Rehearsals (4^th October to 2^nd December 2024)
Rehearsals will begin with a full cast read-through & Parent’s Briefing on Friday 4th October. Full cast rehearsals will be on Saturday late afternoons and selected cast rehearsals on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please note additional Sunday rehearsals will be scheduled closer to the date of the production as needed.

Tuesday	6pm – 8pm	Selected Cast Rehearsal
Friday	5pm – 8pm	Selected / Full Cast Rehearsal
Saturday	4:30pm – 7:30pm	Full Cast Rehearsal

Please note:

Cast members MUST attend every rehearsal they are called for.
A Rehearsal Schedule will be issued every two weeks.
Rehearsals will take place at the Faust Studio in Sheung Wan or at another Central venue if needed.
If your regular Faust Group clashes with rehearsals, an alternative Faust Group will be offered.

Please check your availability for the above dates BEFORE auditioning to avoid disappointment. It is essential that cast members attend all rehearsals and performances.

On behalf of everyone at Faust and the production team, may I wish you all the very best for your audition and I look forward to seeing your prepared pieces.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
These are the roles in the play that we are looking to cast:

Ella – a headstrong, kind, loving and generous natured young lady who, despite her misfortune, has dedicated her whole being to accepting people for who they are. She finds the good in everyone and everything and has a deep connection with the Birds who have acted as Ella’s guardian angels / Fairy Godmother since she was a baby.

We’re looking for a strong, confident actor who has some maturity and is able to take direction well. They should have great clarity and diction in their spoken voice, ideally have had some previous experience being part of a production and not be afraid to take a few risks and make some bold choices when it comes to retelling Ella’s story. The ability to move and sing is a bonus but not essential. Not necessarily looking for ‘typical princess’ material either. Very keen to see all interpretations of this character but confidence and a strong presence is a must.

Step-Mother – an absolutely vile human being who has gone through life taking from others and never found her own happiness. Her sole mission in life is to find money and to live a comfortable, wealthy life. She may seem to care for her children but in fact she would happily leave those around her for a better life. She has no care for anyone or anything unless that thing amounts to wealth and fortune.

We’re looking for an actor who has a great deal of confidence and is able to hold firm to the wickedness of this character. At no point does this character break. She is no fun, has no fun and is willing to bring down anyone who dares stand in her way, whatever the cost!

The Prince – a genuine guy who’s main mission in life is to track down rare species of birds and learn everything there possibly is to learn about them! The last thing on his mind is finding love. And yet, in almost an instant, he finds it in the most unexpected place and at the most unexpected time, just moments before his big birthday bash at the palace.

We’re looking for someone who can play an absolutely loveable yet slightly quirky character. They are ‘happy go lucky’ in nature and their main distraction in life is birds! They think birds are simply wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, that the only chance they ever have of falling in love, is with someone who also shares the same passion/hobby as themselves. Some may say they are a bit of a nerd but actually the Prince is someone who has had little exposure to the outside world after being locked up in a palace.

The Step-Siblings – known in the original story as the Ugly Step-Sisters, these siblings are actually far from ugly in looks but make up for that in their ghastly behaviour towards each other and towards Ella. Having lived a life of privilege up until their own father sadly died, the siblings are conditioned to get what they want, when they want it and struggle to cope with the kindness that their new step-sister Ella possesses.

Looking for actors who can take on similar characteristics as the step-mother. However, the siblings are in fact just mimicking what they see in their own Mother. They are creatures of habit and this is hard to break. The step-brother, whilst coming across as a complete idiot at first, turns out to be quite a kind, likeable soul.

Ensemble – a key and integral part to the telling of this story. The ensemble will take up the roles of the Birds (Ella’s Fairy God Mothers), the guests at the Palace and the villagers that Ella grew up surrounded by. Some members of the ensemble will also take on the small roles such as Ella’s father, the Queen and the Palace Band. Do not under estimate the importance of being part of an ensemble. More often than not, it is the ensemble members who help to carry the story and with whom the audience connect with the most.

The Palace Band – we are hoping to find a small handful of Actor Musicians who are confident on the violin, cello, guitar, flute, percussion or identify as a strong vocalist.

This band will play at various stages in the play. Their repertoire will be dependent on who we discover in the audition room but our vision for this band is very hip with a classy vibe. Think Postmodern Jukebox meets Haus of Holbein! Yes, that’s right, this band has the potential to be anything and everything. We are ideally looking for actors who are comfortable reading music and can pick up well-known tunes fairly quickly – there will be some cover versions of well-known songs to get your teeth stuck in to! All ages are welcome depending on experience.

To audition, please complete the online audition form here. by Thursday 26th September or email Auditions@FaustWorld.com for available slots.

Click Here to Book your Audition Slot!