The Drowsy Chaperone
Auditions & Rehearsals
DIRECTED BY: P.T. Mahoney
MUSIC DIRECTED BY: Vania Jerome
CHOREOGRAPHED BY: Jackie Dowsett
STAGE MANAGED BY: Madeline Hamada
BOOK & LYRICS: Joe DiPietro
MUSIC & LYRICS: Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
PRODUCED BY: ProArts Playhouse
SPONSORED BY: RayChin.com, Bob & Susan Offermann, and Hike Maui
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical,” The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre. Because of its many featured roles and accessible script, The Drowsy Chaperone will fit perfectly into any company’s season or school’s calendar.
Please be sure to also sign up for your audition slot HERE and complete an audition form HERE. If you are unable to attend the audition, please contact us at madeline@proartsmaui.org or 808-463-6550 to discuss possible alternatives.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN and will receive a stipend. The director is seeking actors ages 18 and up. Seeking actors of all ethnicities and gender identities. All character ages are stage-ages and are flexible within reason.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or accommodation requests: ProArts Playhouse 808-463-6550; info@proartsmaui.org
GENERAL POLICIES
PERSONNEL IN THE ROOM
BEFORE ARRIVING
Before arriving, please thoroughly review the audition page for the show you are auditioning for below, complete the Audition Form for that show, and email your head-shot or a clear photo of yourself and resume, to madeline@proartsmaui.org, if you have these materials available.
SAFETY MEASURES
We still asking people to observe basic safety precautions (such as not entering the theater within 24 hours of having a fever) and to acknowledge that the local, state, and federal health guidelines can change at any time, to which we are all subject.
REHEARSAL LOCATIONS
ProArts Playhouse in Kihei, other spaces within Azeka plaza in Kihei, and the Maui OnStage offsite rehearsal location in Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall, across from the Ben Franklin Store.
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
ProArts Playhouse
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Please be aware that for any productions that involve intimate contact between cast members, or scenes of emotional and physical violence, Boundary Training, Intimacy Direction, Fight Choreography, and coping exercises will be implemented in the staging of these scenes during the rehearsal process.
ProArts Playhouse is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. For complete information on our Anti-Harrassment Policy, click here.
ACCESIBILITY
Auditions
LOCATION
- AUDITIONS: PLEASE NOTE THAT AUDITIONS AND CALLBACKS ARE NOT BEING HELD AT PROARTS!!!
Maui OnStage offsite rehearsal location in Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall, across from the Ben Franklin Store
DATES
Friday, December 11th from 6pm – 9pm
Saturday, December 12th from 11am – 3pm
If you are unable to attend, please contact us at 808-463-6550 or email info@proartsmaui.org
WHAT TO BRING
Before arriving, please complete this Audition Form and email your headshot and resume to madeline@proartsmaui.org or ask for a link to upload them, if you have these materials available.
WHAT TO PREPARE
- Sections of 2 classic musical theatre songs
- 45-60 seconds of one ballad
- 45-60 seconds of one upbeat song
- Sheet music is strongly encouraged. If you are unable to print sheet music, you can email us a PDF or a link.
- You may be asked to read from the script with an attendant (Particularly those reading for the Man in the Chair, and Robert and Janet)
If you are unable to attend, you may send in a video; please email to madeline@proartsmaui.org
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Please note that the gender descriptions apply to the characters, not the actors:
- Man In Chair – Lives alone and has trouble paying his electricity bills on time. Obsessed with musicals. Must have excellent comedic timing and mannerisms. • Age: 30 to 60 • Non-singing
- Janet Van de Graaff – Star of Feldzieg’s Follies who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to marry Robert Martin. Vivacious, outgoing personality. She loves being the center of attention and is the consummate 1920s starlet. Strong movement and special skills (acrobatics, juggling, etc.) a plus. • Age: 20 to 30 • Alto with big belt (G3 to E5)
- Robert Martin – The groom-to-be who is deeply in love with Janet. He is the token 1920s leading man – debonair, dashing, and a matinee idol. He is cheesy, cheerful, and optimistic. Must be able to tap dance and roller skate. • Age: 25 to 35 • Tenor (C3 to Ab4)
- Mr. Feldzieg – Harried producer who will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in the Follies. He is nervous, sarcastic, impatient, overbearing, and insensitive. • Age: 40 to 50 • Baritone (Db3 to Db4)
- The Drowsy Chaperone – Janet’s alcoholic confidante. Carefree, often because she is drunk. An experienced “woman of the world” who couldn’t care less what the world thinks. A melodramatic diva to be reckoned with who gleefully chews the scenery and steals just about every scene she is in. Great comedic role. Think Liza Minnelli meets Tallulah Bankhead. • Age: 40 to 50 • Alto with strong belt (F3 to D5)
- Aldolpho – A womanizing cad who is very impressed with himself. He is confident, vigorous, and a buffoon. Vaudevillestyle acting and fake Spanish or Italian accent required. Should have great comic timing. • Age: 30 to 40 • Bass/Baritone + great falsetto (A#2 to G4)
- Mrs. Tottendale – A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. She is flighty, eccentric, oftentimes forgetful, and funny. She is absolutely charming, bubbly and oblivious to the confusion her behaviour generates in other people. • Age: 45 to 60 • Alto character voice (G3 to Db5)
- Kitty – 1920s dumb blonde chorus girl. She is Mr. Feldzieg’s companion and will do anything to be a leading lady. • Age: 20 to 30 • Soprano comedic belt (Bb3 to F5)
- George – Robert’s anxious best man. He is loyal, sincere, and nervous. Makes looking out for Robert’s interests his top priority so that the wedding will come off without a hitch. Must be able to tap. • Age: 25 to 35 • Tenor (F3 to Bb4)
- Gangster 1 – Jovial gangster who is posing as a pastry chef. Typical 1920s Broadway gangster full of word play and stylized movements. Good comic timing and dancing skills required. • Age: 25 to 40 • Tenor (Db3 to Gb4)
- Gangster 2 – Jovial gangster who is posing as a pastry chef. Typical 1920s Broadway gangster full of word play and stylized movements. Good comic timing and dancing skills required. • Age: 25 to 40 • Tenor (Db3 to Gb4)
- Trix The Aviatrix – The brave and brash female aviator. She is sassy, sleek and a take charge kind of gal. • Age: 25 to 35 • Alto (Ab3 to Eb5)
- Swings – Two strong, dancing/singing ensemble members who will swing in to cover leads, if needed. Any voice part.
CALL-BACKS
- Sunday, December 13th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- For callbacks, actors will need to prepare assigned measures to sing live at callbacks. List of songs and measures will be provided ahead of the call-back.
- Comfortable clothing that you can dance in. If you have jazz, character, and/or tap shoes, please bring them.
- You may be asked to read sides from the play individually alongside a reader or with other actors. Scenes will be provided ahead of the call-back. Please be familiar with these scenes, but they do not have to be fully memorized.
Rehearsals
ABOUT REHEARSALS
This show will rehearse for 10 weeks. We’ve found that rehearsing shows for longer periods of time but with fewer rehearsals per week makes doing shows accessible for more people and allows people the time they need to work on lines at home.
FIRST SING/READ-THROUGH
Saturday, January 2nd from 12pm – 4pm
REHEARSAL COMMITMENT
Because this is a dance-heavy show, we will have approximately 35-40 rehearsals spread over 10 weeks. Most weeks we will rehearse 4-5 times a week, and we will definitely be at 5 per week as we get closer to the show. The final schedule will be determined based on people’s availability, so the schedule below is approximate.
- December: We will aim to schedule everyone for a single one-on-one rehearsal with Vania so that you can get familiar with the music.
- December 15th, Costume measurement session, signups available between 3pm and 7pm: We will have slots available for people to come by the theater in 15 min blocks. Potential postponement if we are not able to reach everyone for casting notices by this time.
- January 4th through January 23rd: Music/Choreo, as applicable.
- January 24th through March 4th:
Rehearsals will generally go from 6pm – 9/9:30pm - March 6th through 11th: Tech Week
*Please note that during tech week, rehearsal hours are longer - March 11th: Preview performance for small invited-only audience
Possible (but unlikely) pick-up rehearsals to be scheduled during show weeks, depending on the schedule of the actors & need for pick ups.
LIKELY REHEARSAL TIMES
NOTE: Please remember that, as stated above, this does NOT mean that rehearsals will take place every day of these potential days! These are simply our options, and the schedule may vary from week to week.
- Potential rehearsal times: Sunday through Friday Evenings ideally 6pm – 9pm or 6:30 – 9:30pm and Saturdays from either 10am – 2pm or 11am – 3pm; some Sunday day rehearsals may be scheduled
- Cue to cue will take place on Saturday, March 6th starting at 10 or 11am and will be anywhere from 4 to 7 hours long during the day, depending on our needs. PLEASE BE SURE OF YOUR AVAILABILITY FOR THIS DAY AND BRING FOOD FOR THE DAY
Tech rehearsals will be longer, but will never go past 11pm
REHEARSAL LOCATIONS
ProArts Playhouse in Kihei, other spaces within Azeka plaza in Kihei, and the Maui OnStage offsite rehearsal location in Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall, across from the Ben Franklin Store. We may also use dance studios at Kihei Dance Connection, MAPA, the MACC, or elsewhere.
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
ProArts Playhouse
CONFLICTS
Please verify your availability for all performances and list any conflicts for potential rehearsals. Conflicts beyond March 5th are not possible.
POTENTIAL PROMOTIONAL COMMITMENTS
If cast, you will be expected to reserve these calendar dates, and we will confirm/release participation a few weeks in advance.
- ProArts Fundraiser Saturday, February 6th afternoon/evening
- Fourth Friday promotion Friday, February, 26th at 6pm
- Aloha Maui Pride Brunch at Nalu’s Sunday, March 7th at 8:30am
- Wave of Harmony Sunday, February 28th afternoon/evening
PERFORMANCE DATES
15 Performances
- Friday, March 12 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 13 at 2 PM (*Please note unusual time)
- Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 PM
- Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, March 19 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 20 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 PM
- Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, March 26 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 PM
- Thursday, April 1 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, April 2 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, April 3 at 2:00 PM (*Please note unusual time)
- Sunday, April 4 at 2:00 PM
- Potential Extension: 2-3 dates the weekend of April 8 through 11
* Please note that we may consider extending, if sales merit it and the cast and crew agree.
Location Address
Azeka Plaza-Makai/Ocean Side
1280 South Kihei Rd
Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 463-6550
Mailing Address
PO Box 2017
Kihei, HI 96753