St Edmund’s College Canberra presents… 
Based on the Paramount movie written by Mike White
Book by Julian Fellowes · Lyrics by Glenn Slater · Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Audition Dates: Monday 18 Sept, Wednesday 20 Sept, Thursday 21 Sept (Call backs) 2023 in the Performing Arts Centre of St Edmund’s College
Show Dates: Thursday 2 May, Friday 3 May, Saturday 4 May 2024 – Br. R.J Wallace Hall
Produced by Rachel Rasmussen
Directed by Rhys Hekimian
Musical Direction by Leanne Thomas
Choreography by Charlotte Gearside & Leanne Thomas
Set Design by Peter Fatupaito
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the St Edmund’s College 2024 Musical Production ‘School of Rock!’ This audition pack gives you all the information you need to know about the show before you audition.
If you have any questions or if you have any problems accessing any of the links, please email rrasmussen@stedmunds.act.edu.au
Synopsis:
Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.
Featuring new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and all the original songs from the movie, this high-octane smash delivers face-melting guitar riffs and touching romance in equally awesome doses!
Rehearsals:
The rehearsal period will begin on Tuesday 10 October 2023 & Wednesday 11 October 2023 and with ‘Camp Rock’ which is on Sunday 15 October 10am-5pm. Camp Rock is an opportunity for the cast to get to know each other and includes a full cast read through/sing through. This will be run at St Edmund’s College.
We will run acting, vocal and instrumental rehearsals in Term 4, 2023.
Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm
Term 1, 2024
Tuesday and Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm
Sunday’s TBC 10-5pm
April Holiday 2024 rehearsal dates:
Monday 22 April (Leads Only), Tuesday 23 April (ALL CAST), Wednesday 24 April (ALL CAST), (Thursday is ANZAC DAY) & Friday 26 April (DRESS REHEARSAL) 9-5pm
Initially rehearsals will be 2 x afternoon rehearsals during the week (Tuesdays and Wednesday), but this will increase nearer to show time including some Sunday’s. There will be no rehearsals over the Easter weekend.
All cast will need to be available for ALL Tech Rehearsals and Dress Rehearsals (30 August and 1 May 2024 (all day), all performance dates (Thursday 2 May Matinee, Thursday 2 May Evening, Friday 3 May Evening, Saturday 4 May Matinee, Saturday 4 May Evening).
Auditions:
Auditions will be held on Monday & Wednesday in Week 10 of Term 3 in the Performing Arts Centre of St Edmund’s College. These are the only audition days. Call backs are on Thursday of Week 10. All auditionees will undertake an individual singing audition and most will be required to undertake an individual acting audition. If auditioning for an instrument-playing role, you will be required to perform a piece of music. All auditionees will have a group dance/movement audition.
Audition Timetable:
| Monday 18 September 2023 | 1:05-1:45pm Individual Auditions 3:30 – 6pm Individual Auditions |
| Wednesday 20 September 2023 | 1:05-1:45pm Individual Auditions 3:30 – 6pm Individual auditions |
| Thursday 21 September 2023 | 1:05-1:45pm – Call backs 3:30-6pm – Call backs |
Zoom Auditions:
It is preferable for you to attend the audition in person. However, if this is really not possible, it will be possible to audition via Zoom. The requirements will be the same.
Audition Preparation:
Please come in comfortable clothes that you can move in. The exact audition requirements depend on the character(s) you are auditioning for. Please read the next section carefully:
Singing:
A singing audition is required for all auditionees. Please come ready to sing A VERSE AND CHORUS (no longer than 90 seconds) of any song of your choosing which sufficiently demonstrates your vocal range. You may bring a backing track for your own choice song – this can be on your phone.
Audition SIGN UP HERE
If auditioning for these roles you will also need to prepare the following song, which can be found in the folder.
| Dewey | The Legend of the Rent, Pt 1 |
|
| Patty | Mount Rock, Reprise | |
| Rosalie | Queen of the Night | |
| Ned | Children of Rock (from C to end) | |
| Summer | Time to Play | |
| Tomika | If Only You Would Listen (reprise) | |
| All Children | If Only You Would Listen |
Acting:
An acting audition is required for all adults characters and some children.
| All Adults | An acting audition is required. The excerpt(s) from the script can be found in the folder. Please prepare this prior to your audition. A reader will be provided for the other parts in the script. If there are 2 script excerpts in the folder, they should both be prepared. | |
| Summer | ||
| Tomika | ||
| Zack | ||
| Lawrence | ||
| Billy | ||
| Freddie | ||
| Katie Mason | If you are auditioning for one of these characters then it is not necessary to undertake an acting audition. However we would strongly encourage you to prepare an audition piece from one of the other characters to show your acting ability. For example, if you are auditioning for Katie, you could choose to prepare Tomika or Summer’s audition piece. | |
| Sophie | ||
| Shonelle | ||
| Marcy | ||
| Madison | ||
| James |
Instrumental:
If you are auditioning for a role that requires you to play an instrument, you will be required to perform live a piece of your choice that best shows your skill range. Instruments will be provided for you but feel free to bring your own with you (Guitar/Bass).
Dancing/Movement (Children only):
Please wear clothing you can move in, hair tied up and bring a drink bottle. You will be taught a short routine as a whole group, which you will then perform for the audition panel in small groups
Characters:
Adult Cast:
- DEWEY FINN Mid 20s-30’s. An High rock tenor; great comedic/improve skills a plus, basic guitar a MUST.
- ROSALIE MULLINS Mid 20s-30s. A rock chick imprisoned in the body and life of a stern and correct headmistress. Soprano with operatic skills and a strong belt.
- NED SCHNEEBLY Mid 20s-30’s. Ned was once as keen on rock as Dewey, but failure has beaten him He clings to his girlfriend, Patty, as the one sure thing in a sea of regrets. Rock voice.
- PATTY DI MARCO Mid 20s-30s. Patty is a hard woman who knows what she wants, and she doesn’t want Not in her life. Not in Ned’s life. Her dislike of Dewey is the strongest thing about her. Strong belt voice.
- Plus a range of ENSEMBLE characters to play teachers and parents (6 male adults and 6 female adults). Strong vocal and acting abilities.
Child Cast:
Child auditionees should be between 8 and 16 years old.
INSTRUMENTALISTS
- ZACK – PLAYS GUITAR. Zack is angry that his dad doesn’t listen to him and has a passion for music ready to burst out from inside of him. He knows he has more in him than he has ever been able to show. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well. Needs to seriously ‘shred’ on guitar, with exceptional solo skills.
- LAWRENCE – PLAYS PIANO. A shy, under confident boy, but a genius on the keyboard, who needs a free spirit like Dewey to lead him into the light. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well. Serious piano skills needed.
- FREDDY – PLAYS DRUMS. Freddy has lots of energy ready to be let out. He’s not as posh as some of his classmates and his Dad always reminds him how lucky he is to go to such a good school. KILLER DRUMMER with a LOT of personality. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well.
- KATIE – PLAYS BASS GUITAR. A cool, collected girl, Katie is distinguished by her talent for the bass. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well. Guitarists, cellists and violinists are encouraged to apply.
NON-INSTRUMENTALISTS
- TOMIKA New to the school, Tomika struggles to make friends despite her two Dads pushing her forwards. Tomika barely speaks until she finally summons the courage to open her mouth and sing out, so we have to be blown away by her sound. This character is typically African American, however candidates of all ethnicities may apply. Pop/Rock/Gospel singer who moves well. KILLER VOICE.
- SUMMER Summer is top of the class and things always go her way – she can’t imagine it will ever be any other way. She helps organize the band and keeps Dewey on his toes. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well.
- MARCY & SHONELLE Clever and sassy girls. Back up singers with style. Pop/Rock singers who move well.
- BILLY An artistic boy with a flair for fashion but who wrestles with other challenges at home. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well.
- MASON As eager as the others to enjoy school instead of dreading it. He is a whizz on the technical side. Pop/Rock Singer who moves well.
- SOPHIE, JAMES, MADISON Pop/Rock Singers who move well.
I’m interested! What’s next?
- Register for an audition, by completing this google form.
- Check the audition requirements for the role(s) you are auditioning These are provided in the links in the auditions section of this document.
- Closer to the time, we will confirm an audition
If you have any questions please email rrasmussen@stedmunds.act.edu.au
Production Crew:
Closer to the show we’ll look for volunteers for all production areas, including set building and painting, stage crew, sound and light crews, bar and front of house staff, social and catering crew, wardrobe assistants and dressers, hair and makeup artists.
Want to learn more? Complete this form to register your interest.
If you have any questions please email rrasmussen@stedmunds.act.edu.au