YPT

Audition Announcement

The Sound of Music

Imagine “all your favorite things”

 on the Lydia Mendelssohn’s big stage!  

November 18-21, 2010 On Stage

Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, University of

Michigan 

Directed by Steph Buck
Musical Direction by Marlene Inman-Reilly 

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”

 The Sound of Music, the final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein, was destined to become the world's most beloved musical.  The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre.In the words of Mary Martin…“If there was ever a triumph of audience over critics, it was THE SOUND OF MUSIC. I played in this wonderful show for more than two years, from 1959 almost into 1962. It is still playing somewhere in the world, and it will still be playing long after everybody who worked on the original version has vanished from the earth.From the beginning to end, and all over the world—the United States, Australia, England, wherever it played—most of the critics and the intellectuals in the audience found it impossibly sweet. But audiences loved it. No matter how critical the reviews were, they didn't keep the people out—they pulled them in.It seems improbable that there is any living soul who doesn't know the story of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, but in case there are a few, it was about a very lively young Catholic postulant in Austria who was sent to be governess to the seven children of a widower, Captain von Trapp. The postulant fell in love first with the children, then with the captain. She left the abbey to marry him, and in a dramatic finale the whole family climbed over the Alps to escape from Nazi invaders of Austria just before the Second World War. It is a true story. The real live protagonists made their way to the United States [and] became famous as the Trapp Family Singers.…Oh, the music, the joy! I remember the first time I heard the song 'Do-Re-Mi,' in which Maria taught the children the musical scale. I heard it with Dick playing the melody, Oscar singing the simple, beautiful, rhymed lyrics he had written. It was a revelation. Here, I thought, is perfect communication. It communicated so well that it turned out to be an international success.”  From My Heart Belongs, Warner Books, Copyright 1976 by Mary Martin Halliday

Sunday, September 12, 2010 2:00-9:00pm
Monday, September 13, 2010 6:00-9:00pm
Ages:  Kindergarten through High School
Auditions held at YPT Studio, 359 Metty Drive, Ann Arbor, MI  48103 

Download the Sound of Music Production Calendar

Audition Appointments:  Scheduling Begins August 30

To schedule an audition appointment: 
Beginning August 30, 2010
Email YPT ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or
Call YPT at 734-222-4006 

Info Needed to Schedule Your Audition Appointment:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Email address
4. Age and current grade
5. Phone number
6. Time and date preference, if any.  Give 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices.  Audition information and confirmation will be emailed to you

Audition Forms Instructions:

1. Download audition forms here
2. Include recent picture of yourself… may be a copy.
3. Bring 3 copies plus original of all materials (completely filled) out to your audition. 
4. Forms include:  Audition Form with picture, Rehearsal Conflicts Scheduling Calendar
5. Include a picture with each set of copies to submit in this order:  Audition Form on top followed by Rehearsal Conflicts Scheduling Calendar with photo last facing out.  Staple each packet in upper left hand corner.  This makes it easy for directors to keep all your materials together and flip the packet to see your fabulous photo! 

Callback Auditions: 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010  6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday, September 15, 2010  6:00-8:00pm If Needed 
Note:  All directors use callback auditions uniquely.  Some call back very few and others call back many.  A callback does not ensure casting.  Not being called back does not mean that one won't be cast.  Many times casting decisions are made in initial auditions with no call back audition needed.

Audition Prep:

Music/Song:  Prepare a selection of music 16 bars/up to one minute long from a classical musical theater repertoire in the style of the show (no "Rent," "Wicked," "Aida" or pop-style pieces, please).  Bring sheet music with any cuts clearly marked for the pianist.
 
Dance/Movement:  Auditions will involve learning a short dance combination…  Come dressed to move!

Acting:  Choose one short (1/2 to one minute long) poem and memorize it.  You will be presenting it to the directors in your audition.  Auditions may also involve cold readings from the script. 

Forms:  Complete and bring audition forms.  Plan to arrive with carefully completed and easy to read forms.  This expedites the audition process for all!

The Sound of Music Performances: 

The Sound of Music Crew

 Opportunities for YPTer’s 14 and older:  Taking applications for Backstage Crew, Lights and Sound.  Get involved in putting a YPT show on the stage!  To express your interest and schedule an interview, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 734-222-4006. 

Join us…  the Hills are alive with the sound of music and an

amazing experience with YPT!