(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, has announced auditions for its summer production of School Of Rock – The Musical, on May 18-19 and May 21. The play tells the story of Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, Dewey turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can Dewey get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s leadership finding out? With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical features 14 new songs as well as songs from the movie.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm and on Saturday, May 21 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Phoenix’s headquarters at 59 Chestnut Street in Red Bank. To sign up for an audition, click here. School Of Rock – The Musical will be presented at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank from Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24.
“School of Rock is a unique presentation in that we’re looking for four, dynamic quadruple threat lead performers – actors who can sing, dance, act and play a musical instrument,” said James Grausam, Managing Artistic Director, Phoenix Productions. “Of equal importance is our dedication to making sure the show’s lineup demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the idea that actors of all ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritages and body types are welcomed and encouraged to participate in our company.”
In addition to the lead roles, School Of Rock offers opportunities for actors of all types and ages to perform on the historic Count Basie Center stage, The Basie Center has been Phoenix Productions’ home for more than three decades, with over 100 musical productions having been performed there since 1990. Earlier this year, Phoenix Productions and the Basie Center announced their intention to merge, pairing two of the state’s most dynamic arts and entertainment nonprofits to survive, grow and create in a post-pandemic performing arts landscape.
Together, Phoenix Productions and the Count Basie Center share the vision to bring together a diverse mix of talented artists who are committed to doing their best work in an inclusive arena.
“At the heart of the Basie Center’s mission as a not for profit is to deepen our commitment to cultural competency, racial equity and social inclusion,” said Adam Philipson, CEO and President, Count Basie Center for the Arts.
“Equity is one of our core values, and we are committed to advancing inclusion, diversity and accessibility for all as we place the community we serve at the forefront. We strive for exemplary quality in everything we do, to create a positive, joyful, seamless experience for artists, patrons, and students.”
Actors interested in one of the four lead roles - Zach (guitar), Freddy (drums), Katie (cello and bass) and Lawrence (piano and keyboard) should prepare a 30-60 second video submission of themselves playing their instrument and submit it to [email protected] prior to their scheduled, in-person audition date.
Weekly travel stipends may be available to those who qualify.
SCHOOL OF ROCK (LLOYD WEBBER) — CAST LIST
All ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritage / background and body types are encouraged to audition for these roles:
PRINCIPALS
Dewey Finn - Rock Tenor (B2-A5): A wannabe rock star with big dreams, Dewey finds themself in urgent need of some cash after getting kicked out of their band. They impersonate a teacher to land a job at the prestigious Horace Green prep school, where they turn their class of straight-A students into a rock group and enter them in the Battle of the Bands. High rock tenor must have at least some basic guitar skills.
Rosalie Mullins - Soprano (A3-D6): Proper and a bit uptight, Rosalie is the head of Horace Green School. They have a secret love of rock music and yearns to recapture the carefree spirit of their youth.
Ned Schneebly - Baritone (C3-F#4): Ned is an old friend of Dewey’s, and the two currently share an apartment with Ned’s girlfriend Patti. They used to play in Dewey’s band but is now a substitute teacher – who Dewey impersonates to get the job at Horace Green. Ned is still passionate about their music but tends to let their bossy girlfriend Patti tell them what to do.
Patty Di Marco - Mezzo-Soprano (B3-E5): Ned’s domineering girlfriend, who lives with Ned and Dewey. They call the shots in their relationship and isn’t too happy about Dewey’s presence in their flat – or their influence on Ned.
KIDS: (Must appear aged 11 – 13)
Summer Hathaway - Range: A3-D5 a Manhattan ‘princess;’ has never had it any other way than their own; they are confident things will continue in this vein; gives a new sense to the word entitlement; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Tomika - Range: A3-G5 a wonderful singer who is exasperated by their two fathers' inability to see that they need help; they think Tomika is perfect; Tomika knows they’re drowning; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Zack Mooneyham (guitar) - Range: A3-D5: plays guitar; a mixture of anger at their father's indifference and passion for the music that is raging inside them; Zack knows they have more than they have ever been able to show; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Freddie Hamilton (drums) - Range: A3-D: plays drums; a character who is happy to be released; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Katie (bass) - Range: A3-D#5: plays bass guitar/cello; Katie is distinguished by their talent for the cello; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Lawrence (piano / keyboard) - Range: A3-D#5: plays piano; a shy, awkward character, unconfident and gauche, but a genius on the keyboard, who needs a free spirit like Dewey to lead them out of the darkness; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Marcy - Range: A3-G5: a clever character; back-up singer with style; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Shonelle - Range: A3-G5 clever character; back-up singer with style; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Billy Sandford - Range: A3-D5: a character with a marked artistic flair, and other problems; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Sophie - Range: A3-D5: : as eager as the others to enjoy school instead of dreading it; a wiz on the technical side; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Mason Ward - Range: A3-D5: as eager as the others to enjoy school instead of dreading it; a wiz on the technical side; pop/rock singer who moves well.
James - Range: A3-D5: a student; pop/rock singer who moves well.
Madison - Range: A3-D5: a student; pop/rock singer who moves well.
ADULT ENSEMBLE: Most actors play multiple parts
TEACHERS: Mx. Sheinkopf, Mx. Noble, Mx. Green, Gabe Brown, Mx. Sanders, Mx. Gordon, Mx. Bingham, Mx. Woodward, Mx. Janes, Mx. Macapugay, Mx. Wagner
PARENTS: Mx. Mooneyham, Mx. Hathaway, Mx. Williams, Mx. Spencer, Mx. Sandford, Mx. Ward, Mx. Hamilton, Mx. Turner, Mx. Travis
OTHERS: Jeff Sanderson – Manager of Battle of the Bands; Theo (No Vacancy) - Range: D3-D5; Doug (No Vacancy) - Range: G3-G4; Bob (No Vacancy) - Range: G3-D5; Snake (No Vacancy) - Range: G3-G4; Stanley
Security Guard 1; Security Guard 2
For over 30 years, Phoenix Productions has been dedicated to the mission of providing quality theatrical experiences on both sides of the footlights. Since their first production in 1988, they’ve produced over 100 main stage shows providing on-stage and back stage opportunities for thousands of talented volunteers.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity.
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