audition notice - WEST SIDE STORY - Hale Centre Theatre - May 2

Hale Centre Theatre will hold auditions for West Side Story, playing July 7, 2016 – August 20, 2016. The show is produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, directed by Cambrian James, music directed by Lincoln Wright, choreographed by Cambrian James, and casting directors David and Corrin Dietlein. Performances are Thursday – Saturday nights with Saturday matinees and possibly some Wednesdays.

SYNOPSIS
Inspired by the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story takes Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, and places them in the vibrant battleground of New York City’s West Side in the 1950s. In the midst of the deep-seated rivalry between the Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks, and the white gang, the Jets, Maria and Tony discover that ancient grudges are no match for true love. Their warring factions, however, refuse to back down, and the “rumbles”, romance, and resentment lead the bloody path to the lovers’ ultimate, tragic conclusion With soaring, sophisticated, and diverse melodies, energetic and athletic dance battles, and its remarkably salient social message, West Side Story remains one of American musical theatre’s most revolutionary and most loved treasures.

Audition Information: Monday, May 2nd
● Be prepared to sing 16 bars of music.
● Bring your own sheet music; an accompanist will be provided.
● The casting directors use Casting Manager during the casting process. Please post your head shot and resume to your Casting Manager profile.

Call Backs
Call backs for West Side Story will be held Saturday, May 7th at 9:00 AM with the first read through scheduled for Monday, May 16th at 7:00 PM.

Audition Location 
Auditions will be held at the theater located at 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert.

How to make an appointment
CLICK HERE to can sign up for an appointment 

Payment
Each adult actor 16 years of age and older will receive a payment of $25.00 per performance. Child actors will be paid $12.50 for each performance.

Other Notes
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Auditions are by appointment only. Any questions may be emailed to auditions@haletheatrearizona.com.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

TONY: (17-22; Tenor) Good looking boy, a mid-twentieth century urban Romeo. Has outgrown his wild days as a founding member of the Jets, is working at Doc’s drugstore in search of a better life. Polish-American. Despite being done with the gang, he remains Riff’s best friend, Riff has lived with Tony’s family for four years. His brotherly bond with is so strong that he will kill for it. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria.

RIFF: (17-22; Tenor) The founder and leader of the gang, “The Jets”. Glowing, driving, intelligent, slightly whacky. Sharp, cocky, street savvy. Leader of the pack - ‘gold medal kid with the heavyweight crown.’ Gives orders, commands respect, flaunts his power and his girlfriend. He sees no other use for his charisma and smarts than as a Jet, and yet he is vulnerable - he needs Tony, his best friend, to be there with him, and is hurt that Tony has moved on.

MARIA: (17-21; Soprano) Sister of Bernardo; she falls in love with Tony. Beautiful, young, innocent, but charmingly feisty. Excited, enthusiastic, obedient girl becoming a woman. Vulnerable but has core strength, she clings to her starry idealism, believing that love can conquer the hatred around her. SHe has a code of righteous justice along with the naivete that furthers the tragedy. But by the end, she matures the most, from young girl to grieving widow. Puerto Rican/Shark.

ANITA: (17-21; Mezzo-Soprano) Maria’s friend and Bernardo’s girlfriend. Knowing and sharp. Clever and high-spirited, enjoys her role as Bernardo’s girlfriend and their sparring. Realistic enough to know that life in Puerto Rico and America is not a bed of roses. She is more open-minded then Bernardo and tries to be more modern and American. She still recognizes the Maria and Tony will have have consequences. Puerto Rican/Shark.

BERNARDO: (17-22; Baritone) The leader of the Puerto Rican gang, “The Sharks”. Handsome, proud, fluid, chip on his sardonic shoulder. A natural and charismatic leader, suave king to Anita. He prides himself in his gallant, courtly and protective treatment of the ladies and his family; is offended by the Jets’ lack of such manners. Under this poise is a gladiator capable of murder. His toughness and sardonic side come from dealing with daily prejudice, not just from Jets and cops, but bigoted New Yorkers; as well as his resentment at being on the bottom rung of the social ladder. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend.

CHINO: (17-22) Bernardo’s best friend and promised to Maria. Gentle, sweet faced, seemingly demure, he is a tough fighter. He takes over Bernardo’s leader position after the rumble. His anger at Tony and his drive for vengeance against Maria cause the shooting at the end of the play. Puerto Rican.

ACTION: (17-22; Baritone) The most quick-tempered member of the Jets, always ready for a fight.

ANYBODYS: (17-18) She is a spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.

LIEUTENANT SCHRANK: (30-45; Doubles in Ensemble) Krupke’s superior. A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, racist, and unapologetic.

OFFICER KRUPKE: (26-38; Doubles in Ensemble) The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. A little dorky, he is regularly mocked by the local gangs.

DOC: (40-59; Doubles in Ensemble) The adult owner of the store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.

DIESEL: (17-22; Baritone; Doubles in Ensemble) Second-in-command of the Jets. Leader after Riff's death.

BABY JOHN: (17-18; Baritone; Doubles in Ensemble) The youngest Jet, is beaten up during the opening sequence. A-Rab's best friend.

A-RAB: (17-18; Baritone; Doubles in Ensemble) Slightly less quick tempered than Action. Baby John's best friend. A Jet. Must sing and dance.

SNOWBOY: (17-22; Baritone; Doubles in Ensemble) Bespectacled, self-styled expert. A Jet. Must sing and dance.

VELMA: (17-21; Mezzo-Soprano; Doubles in Ensemble) Riff’s girl. Young, sexy, wants to be taken seriously enough to listen in on the war council. A Jet. Must sing and dance.

GRAZIELLA: (17-21; Mezzo-Soprano; Doubles in Ensemble) A Jet. Must sing and dance.

PEPE: (17-22; Baritone; Doubles in Ensemble) Puerto Rican/Shark. Must sing and dance.

CONSUELA: (17-21; Mezzo-Soprano; Doubles in Ensemble) Anita’s cousin. A bleached blonde beauty. Indio’s girlfriend. Puerto Rican/Shark.

ROSALIA: (17-21; Mezzo-Soprano; Doubles in Ensemble) Foil for Anita. Dumb brunette. Pepe’s girlfriend. Puerto Rican/Shark.

GLAD HAND: (25-36; Doubles in Ensemble) Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-equipped social director at the school dance.

ENSEMBLE: (21-30) Jets: Big Deal, Gee-tar, Mouth Piece, Tiger; Jets’ Girls: Minnie, Clarice, Pauline; Sharks: Toro, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Juano, Moose; Sharks’ Girls: Teresita, Francisca, Estella, Margarita - Must sing and dance.


DIRECTOR BIO
Cambrian James is well-known for his versatile staging throughout the Valley and nationally. He is a multi-award winning director and choreographer for Tarzan, The Wizard of Oz, Footloose, Damn Yankees and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Cambrian has enjoyed a long career as an actor and dancer in Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Crazy For You (Bobby Child), The King and I (the King) and Hairspray (Edna Turnblad).