AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS!

Director: Dave Stearns

Musical Director: Michal Pearse

Choreographer: Grant Smith

Vocal Coach: Sharon Simpson

Whangarei Theatre Company are proud to announce they will be producing the musical “Sister Act” in Forum North in June 2023.
Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime, and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look- a convent! Under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving
chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.
Gloriously funny and a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, 

Sister Act is a reason to Rejoice!

WTC President Barbara Trimmer says she is delighted that the company has decided to undertake the production of another huge show in Forum North. She acknowledges the dedication of the team at WTC in driving the production of musicals for all Northlanders to enjoy. The WTC track record in Forum North (with shows such as Jekyll & Hyde,

Cats, Miss Saigon and The Phantom of the Opera) makes her confident that they

can again deliver a wonderful show for all the people of Northland to enjoy.

To start the process the company will be holding auditions on the evenings of Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th, Thursday 8th December and all day on Saturday 10th December at the Riverbank Centre in Reyburn House Lane. They are by appointment, and those who wish to audition are asked to telephone the Production Manager, Barbara Trimmer, on 021 393 322 to book their time. Call-backs will be on Sunday 11th December.

The initial auditions will last approximately 30 minutes in front of the director, choreographer, musical director and vocal coach. Groups of 3-4 will be asked (individually) to sing a song from the show, specifically of the character if you are auditioning for a particular role. You will also be asked to demonstrate their vocal range. You will then be asked to read some of the
script (click here for the whole script), and finally as a group perform a simple set of movements which will have been clearly demonstrated to them at the audition.

The show is to be directed by Dave Stearns, who has been involved with theatre for many years. Music Director Michal Pearse is always pleased to hear from anyone who would like to play in the orchestra, and WTC always welcomes people who want to help off-stage. The show will have a new set and costumes, enhanced by professional scenery projections.
Please contact the production manager if you would like to help in any other way.

Rehearsals are expected to take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings and all-day Sunday, beginning in late January. Scripts/scores will be given out before Christmas.
The minimum age for the cast is 16, although exceptions may be made where appropriate.

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LIST OF CHARACTERS

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Deloris Van Cartier
An aspiring disco diva wannabe performer, trying to find both fame and a place in the world with a mega-watt dream of Donna Summer glory. When forced to hide in the convent, she initially refuses to embrace her new lifestyle but learns to embrace it when she works with the choir. Loud-mouthed, and sassy, quick on the quip but ultimately caring - she has no faith in anything or anyone but herself.
Excellent singing voice
Good comic timing.
Stage Age: 25-35 years old
Audition song: Take Me to Heaven & Sister Act

Backing track link: Take Me To Heaven - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOybaVPXppQ

Sister Act - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-OtOXbMVhA&list=PLI7cAsCDsB3H5p90fGOs-nLvd1KQIzBw7&index=21
Audition script: Act 1 Scene 2 P12 from her entrance, Act 1 Scene 4, Act 1 Scene 5 from her

entrance to P24

Mother Superior
An old-school Catholic traditionalist with a spine of steel, a will of iron, an acid tongue, and a hidden heart. The head of the convent, sarcastic and a bit stiff. Firm, but fair and dignified. Extremely protective about keeping her sisters away from the outside world, which puts her in direct opposition to Deloris and her musical teachings.
Good vocal required.
Stage Age: 60-70 years old
Audition song: Here within these Walls

Backing track link: Here within these walls - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsd5iIIkuto
Audition script: Act 1 - Scene 5

Eddie Souther
The desk chief at the Philadelphia police station and a high school classmate of Deloris who helps get her into hiding. A sweet guy who dreams of being confident, but faces a lot of nerves when under pressure, causing him to sweat profusely. He still yearns for Deloris after all these years, and dreams of being her hero.
Stage Age: 25-30 years old
Audition song: I Could Be That Guy

Backing track link: I could be that guy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCLEJ25EwTw

Audition script: Act 1 Scene 4

Curtis Shank
A club owner, notorious gangster, and Deloris's boyfriend. Smooth and calculating. Cocky and controlling, always on the verge of violence. A super cool, super confident, super smooth bad guy with soul. He is a tough narcissist with flair, sex appeal, and charisma. He is elegant and dangerous. Needs to be extremely strong-voiced with big range. LOW BARITONE WITH STRONG DISCO FALSETTO.
Stage Age: 40 years old
Audition song: When I Find My Baby

Backing track link: When I find my baby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOI1iuS6jj0
Audition script: Act 1 Scene 1, Act 1 Scene 2

Monsignor O’Hara
One of the heads of the convent. A gentle, kind man who is a bored, uninspired preacher. Constantly concerned with financial matters, though soul music surprisingly puts him in a different mood. Strong character actor.
Stage Age: 50 - 60 years old
Audition script: Act 1 Scene 5, Act 2 Scene 2

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Sister Mary Robert
A postulant, abandoned as a baby and raised at the convent, teetering on the decision of whether to take her final vows or leave the convent to re-join the world that intimidates her so. Her shy and soft spoken personality masks a huge, powerful singing voice. Sings a big Act II solo The Life I Never Led. SHOULD HAVE AN “UNEXPECTEDLY” HUGE BELT. Excellent vocal required.
Stage Age: 16 - 20 years old
Audition song: The Life I Never Led

Backing track link: The life I never led - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFmmGf7JJxA
Audition script: Act 2, Scene 6

TJ
Curtis's nephew and one of his thugs. Nifty and mindful of the fact, but constantly in a state of ignorant bliss. He's well-intended, but doesn't always have the brain power to think ahead. Must have excellent comic timing.
Stage Age: 16-30 years old
Audition song: Lady in the Long Black Dress

Backing track link: Lady in the long black dress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm6brM1nDNc
Audition script: Act 1 Scene 1, Act 1 Scene 2

Joey
One of Curtis's thugs. Big, burly, and fiercely loyal. He is the heavyset one of the trio. Believes himself to be quite the ladies' man. Wants to please Curtis and be dangerous but isn't quite capable of it. Must have excellent comic timing.
Stage Age: 25-35 years old
Audition song: Lady in the Long Black Dress

Backing track link: Lady in the long black dress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm6brM1nDNc
Audition script: Act 1 Scene 1, Act 1 Scene 2

Pablo
One of Curtis's thugs. A natural follower who constantly speaks in Spanish. Thinks he's something of a love-God! Good vocals (Soul and R&B) required. Excellent comic timing required.
Stage Age: 25-30 years old
Audition song: Lady in the Long Black Dress

Backing track link: Lady in the long black dress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm6brM1nDNc
Audition script: Act1 Scene 1, Act 2 Scene 10

Sister Mary Patrick
A nun of the convent. Upbeat, fun, filled with love and delight in God, food and friendship. Enjoys every minute of life. A larger-than-life character. Consistently perky, enthusiastic, and easily excitable. Has a heavyset physique. Excellent vocals required. Excellent energy and comic timing required.
Stage Age: 30 years old
Audition song: Sunday Morning Fever

Backing track link: Sunday morning fever - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux1boW9jKV8
Audition script: Act 2 Scene 2

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Sister Mary Lazarus
A nun of the convent and the head of the choir. Older, crabby, snappy and seemingly grumpy.
Tough, out of the Depression Era, full of vinegar and humour, with twice the energy of anyone half her age. She's seen them come and go, and nothing fazes this Sister. She's quick on the wisecracks and always ready to roll up her sleeves and dig in. Must be a strong comedic actress. Rather deadpan and the least welcoming of any of the nuns, but she gets caught up in Deloris's soul music. Good comical character and rap singing required.
Stage Age: 60-70 years old
Audition song: Sunday Morning Fever

Backing track link: Sunday morning fever - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux1boW9jKV8

Michelle
One of Deloris's backing singers in Curtis's club. Lippy and always quick with a retort. Excellent backing vocals required. Smaller role that doubles as other parts throughout the show.
Stage Age: 20-30 years old
Audition song: Take me to Heaven

Take Me To Heaven - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOybaVPXppQ
Audition script: Act 1, Scene 1

Tina
One of Deloris's backing singers in Curtis's club. A little thick and naive. Excellent backing vocals
required. Smaller role that doubles as other parts throughout the show.
Stage Age: 20 - 30 years old
Audition song: Take me to Heaven

Take Me To Heaven - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOybaVPXppQ
Audition script: Act 1, Scene 1

Ensemble
Audition song: An upbeat song of your choice.