Jesus Christ Superstar: Auditions

Call for Auditions

K-W Musical Productions’

Community Theatre Production of

Jesus Christ Superstar

The Concert Event

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber – Lyrics by Tim Rice

K-W Musical Productions is mounting Jesus Christ Superstar –The Concert Event, this October at Knox Presbyterian Church in Uptown Waterloo. This production will celebrate the music behind this iconic musical. There will be no sets, limited costumes, a short one-month rehearsal period and will feature a large cast with equitable-gender casting.

Show Synopsis

Jesus Christ Superstar is a timeless rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.

Rehearsal Schedule and Commitment

Rehearsals

Regular rehearsals will be Sundays from 1–10pm and Thursdays from 6:30 –10pm, starting September 5th at the KWMP Rehearsal Hall, located at 14 Shaftsbury Dr, Kitchener.

This will be a short one-month rehearsal process and cast will be expected to attend all rehearsals.

Technical Rehearsals

Wednesday, Oct 2: Dress Rehearsal, 6pm–11pm – Knox Presbyterian

Thursday, Oct 3: Rehearsal, 6pm to 10pm – KWMP Hall

Performances

Friday, October 4 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 5, 2019, at 7:30 pm

Tentative Saturday matinee at 2 pm depending on ticket sales

Volunteering and Fees

KWMP is a community theatre organization and it takes hunrdeds of hours to put one of our productions. Cast members are asked to volunteer at least 2 hours of time outside of rehearsal to help put this show together.

All cast members will be required to become a member of KWMP ($25) and pay a script rental fee ($10).

About K-W Musical Productions

K-W Musical Productions is a not-for-profit community theatre organization founded in 1948 as the Twin City Operatic Society, and has produced over 100 full-scale musicals over the past 70 plus years. Our mission is to give members of Waterloo Region a chance to experience high-quality community theatre, both on and off stage. We endeavour to make our shows affordable, entertaining and inclusive while providing training for the next generation.

Meet the Creative team

Martin Lacoste, Music Director

Martin is currently the Head of Music at Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo, where he directs four bands and choirs. He currently performs with Soul Sauce Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Royal City Big Band, and has performed in the orchestra for many productions, including Oklahoma!, Jesus Christ Superstar (RCMPI), The King and I (RCMPI) and, most recently, KWMP’s 70th Anniversary Production. He has served as musical director for: Guys and Dolls, Leader of the Pack, Cabaret (JM Drama), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (JM Drama), Princess Ida (Waterloo Regional G & S Society) and is currently preparing for JM Drama’s production of Evita in August 2019. When not involved in musical endeavours, Martin enjoys squash (the sport, not the vegetable), hockey, slo-pitch, biking and following the Jays’ (slow) rise back to dominance.

Frances Walker, Director

Professionally trained vocalist and keyboardist with choral experience and ability to direct and inspire choirs of all ages; a highly developed ear for pitch, tempo and harmony. Youth Ministry Coordinator, certified from University of Toronto, with twenty years’ experience, specializing in worship leadership and retreat facilitation. Intuitive, compassionate leader, motivated to build positive relationships in all environments, both secular and sacred. Passionate about music, people and the diversity of our culture.

Deirdre McCulligh, Stage Manager

As well as many other people that help put this show together.

Video Auditions

Deadline: August 11

Grab a smartphone and record yourself singing a section (chorus and verse) from two pop or musical theatre songs, one that highlights your vocal range and another that highlights your dramatic abilities (or one song that shows both is fine).

You may film and upload a new video for the audition, or you may use an existing video, if you prefer. Choose something you are proud of!

Auditions are open to those 14 years old and over.

One option is to upload a video to YouTube:

If you don’t already have a YouTube account, you can create one for free: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/161805?hl=en&ref_topic=3024170

Then, use your YouTube account to upload the video: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en&ref_topic=2888648

You may choose the “unlisted” privacy option, if you wish. This means anyone with the link may view the video, but it will not show up in other YouTube users’ search results.

Another option is to upload a video to a file sharing service like Dropbox or Google Drive, and then share the link with us. Please make sure the permissions are set properly on the video so that we can view it.

If your video is posted on YouTube, you can copy a link to a particular section of the video by right-clicking the time bar below the video and selecting “Copy video URL at current time”.

We will not share the link to your audition video publicly, or with anyone outside of the KWMP creative team.

If you have technical difficulty uploading a video, or if you have other concerns, please contact us. We will do our best to help or to make alternate arrangements.

Do not send us your video via email — please provide only a LINK to the video.

Live Auditions

Date: August 12 6:30 PM to 9 PM

We will be hosting limited live auditions for those who are not comfortable recording a video on August 12 from 6:30 until 9 at the KWMP Rehearsal Hall, 14 Shaftsbury Dr in Kitchener. Please prepare a section (chorus and verse) from one or two songs that shows your vocal and dramatic range. Auditions will be 5 minutes each.

You may bring sheet music (a pianist will be present) or an MP3 of the instrumental music to accompany you. You may bring your own accompanist if you prefer.

Auditions are open to those 14 years old and over.

If you are attending the live audition, please book an audition time, and then complete your audition form.

Callbacks

Callbacks will occur on Saturday, August 17th. If we wish to see you at the callbacks, we will be in touch about dates and times, and we will provide you with material that we would like you to prepare.

Character Breakdown

Jesus Christ Superstar is a large ensemble show which has many featured characters and ensemble roles. KWMP is open to and interested in blind and non-traditional casting. If there is a particular role that speaks to you and/or if you are interested in the soul of a role that doesn’t traditionally suit your vocal range or is typically done in your type/gender, please still consider signing up for an audition.

There are no named roles for children in this show, and auditions are open to those 14 years or older.

KWMP is a community theatre group, with a cast made of talented amateur performers; auditions are open to non-equity members only.

JUDAS:

Jesus’ strategic confidante: dedicated, passionate, conflicted, unshakably practical, torn between an aggressive sense of self-preservation and the ideals of Jesus’ religious movement; rock tenor-low D to high E.

JESUS:

As much a pop culture idol as a religious leader, driven, charismatic, attractive, sincere, has a greater understanding of the dangers and matters at hand than any of his followers; rock tenor-low Bb to high E.

MARY MAGDALENE:

Struggles with aligning her worldly past with Jesus’ message, hopeful, steadfast, fragile, sweet with an edge; folk mezzo-low G# to B.

PONTIUS PILATE:

Roman Governor, calculated, thoughtful, adept at handling pressure, not quick to use the gravity of his power; rock baritenor -low A to Bb.

CAIAPHAS:

High Priest of the Pharisees, at the top of a crumbling system and violently resistant to conceding his place, cold, severe, strategic; bass-low C to middle F.

ANNAS:

The right-hand man to Caiaphas. Calculating and slithering. High rock tenor.

SIMON:

Particularly enthusiastic supporter of the anarchist aspect of Jesus’ mission, reckless, extreme, ready for an uprising; rock tenor.

KING HEROD:

King of Galilee responsible for determining the fate of its Jewish captives, corrupt, condescending, decadent, charming with a sneer; baritenor-low B to high B.

PETER:

A loyal follower of Jesus. Innocent and soft-spoken.

ENSEMBLE:

Singers who are at home in pop/rock stylings

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, a Concord Theatricals Company, 229 West 28th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001. www.themusicalcompany.com

Email: info@themusicalcompany.com.

TM © 1996 The Really Useful Group Ltd.