AUDITIONS, CASTING + STUDENT RESOURCES

On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is! Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought! Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation.

SHOW DETAILS

**Auditions are open to ALL current Newport Harbor students regardless of their current or previous participation in an NHPAA class or production. Thinking about getting involved? Please thoroughly read the info on this page to learn more about the show and the responsibility it entails.**

CALENDAR

INTEREST MEETING - Mon. Dec. 5 @ 6pm - Robert B. Wentz Theater. For students (AND their parents) interested in participating in the show via cast, crew, orchestra, etc. Not required, but highly encouraged.

AUDITION SIGN UPS OPEN - Mon. Jan. 9 @ 8am (for current NHPAA Students) and Wed. Jan. 11 @ 8am (for non-NHPAA students). Click HERE to sign up! Current NHPAA students are granted early access to audition slot sign ups. Audition slot sign ups close at 3pm on Fri. Jan. 20th for all students, regardless of their participation in an NHPAA class.

DANCE WORKSHOP - Fri. Jan 20 @ 5pm - NHHS Dance Room. Required for auditioning students. Dance combo for auditions will be taught to give students a head start on audition preparation. Wear movable clothing, comfortable shoes, and bring a water bottle.

AUDITIONS - Mon. Jan. 23 (for NHPAA students only) and Wed. Jan. 25 (for all other students), by sign up only (sign ups can be found here) - NHHS Black Box Theater. Mandatory for all students aiming to be in the cast. Sing a 16 bar cut (30 sec.) of a musical theatre or pop song in the style of the show. Bring sheet music for the accompanist - digital backup tracks are also acceptable in MP3/flash drive format. YouTube tracks will not be allowed. ABBA songs are acceptable but not fully recommended. Be prepared to perform your song solo for the creative team (other auditioning students will NOT witness your audition). There will not be an acting/monologue portion of auditions. **The audition form will ask you to list all known conflicts with rehearsals, tech, and performances, including standing AND one time conflicts. Please review this calendar with your parent(s)/guardian(s) prior to arriving for your audition so you are able to provide accurate information on your sheet**

CALLBACKS - Thurs. Jan. 26 @ 3:45pm + Fri. Jan. 27 @ 4pm - NHHS Black Box Theater. For select students only (list to be posted on this website page Wed. Jan 25th at 6pm). Students will be asked to cold-read sides from the show and possibly sing excerpts of song. No preparation is needed - come ready to work!

CAST LIST RELEASE - Sun. Jan. 29 - NHHS Black Box Theater Bulletin AND this website page. Once the list is released, students have until Wed. Feb. 1 @ 3:30pm to initial next to their name and officially commit to their role within the cast. **For more info surrounding the casting process/decisions, scroll to the "Casting" section below**

FIRST REHEARSAL (table read + introduction) - Thurs. Feb. 2 @ 4pm - NHHS Black Box Theater. Mandatory for entire cast and crew. Full table read and partial "sing-through" introduction plus icebreaker/get-to-know-you games.

REHEARSALS - Feb through April 16, 2023 - NHHS Black Box Theater. Held Sun.-Thurs. every week. Mon. - Wed. afternoons are blocking and vocal rehearsals. Cast members enrolled in a 4th, 6th or 8th pd NHPAA class will utilize that class time for vocal and dance rehearsal. All cast members will attend the after school vocal and dance rehearsals (when called). Cast members with an open 8th pd who would like to utilize that time for vocal and dance rehearsals are highly encouraged to enroll in 8th pd Production Drama Class for Semester 2. ALL cast members - regardless of their enrollment in an NHPAA class - will attend blocking rehearsals after school hours, NOT during the school day.

Sun. afternoon (always in afternoon to allow time for church, etc). and Thurs. evening is for dance rehearsals. There will not be rehearsal every Sun. ALL cast members - regardless of their enrollment in an NHPAA class - will attend dance rehearsals outside of school hours, NOT during the school day. **Not all cast members will be called at every rehearsal. If your character isn't needed, you won't be called; we aim to optimize everyone's time and maintain an efficient rehearsal process. The full, detailed rehearsal schedule (that includes calls) will be released one month at a time, one month in advance**

TECH WEEK(S) - Mon. April 17 - Fri. April 28 (detailed schedule released April 1) - Robert B. Wentz Theater. All days mandatory for all tech crew and leads - please inform any sports coaches/extracurricular activity leaders that you will not be present at practices/meetings/etc. these weeks of tech. Some tech days mandatory for entire cast.

PRODUCTION WEEK - Sun. April 30 - Thurs. May 4 - Robert B. Wentz Theater. All days mandatory for entire cast and crew. Meals will be provided during the daily break.

PERFORMANCES - May 5, 6, 11, 12 @ 7pm & May 7, 13 @ 2pm - Robert B. Wentz Theater. Call time for night shows is 5pm, call time for matinees is 12pm. All performances mandatory for all cast and crew.

CASTING DETAILS

CASTING INFORMATION

An alternate and a primary actor will be cast for the female leads to provide more students with a lead opportunity and to create a safety net surrounding COVID-19 and sickness. Two of the six final performances will be alternate shows (alternates will perform in place of the primaries and primaries will perform in the ensemble). During the primary cast performances, alternates will perform in the ensemble.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Donna Sheridan - Around 40, American--Owner of the Taverna on the Greek island of Kalokairi; Sophie’s mother; former lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos; honest, hard-working, single mom. Strong soloist who moves well (The Winner Takes it All, Slipping Through My Fingers, Dancing Queen, Super Trooper, Money Money Money, etc.)

Sophie Sheridan - 21, American--Donna’s headstrong daughter; engaged to Sky; determined to discover her father’s identity; young, bright and energetic, she has lived all her life on the island but is ready to leave. Strong soloist and moves well (I Have a Dream, Honey Honey, The Name of the Game, Lay All Your Love on Me, Under Attack, etc.)

Tanya Chesham-Leigh - Around 40, American--One of Donna’s oldest and best friends and former member of the Dynamos; married (and divorced) several millionaires; fun-loving with a big presence, she flirts mercilessly with young men. Strong soloist who moves well (Chiquitita, Dancing Queen, Super Trooper, Does Your Mother Know?, etc.)

Rosie Mulligan - Around 40, American--Another of Donna’s oldest and best friends and former member of the Dynamos; unmarried, free-spirited and a renowned author of cookbooks; confident, funny, and big-hearted. Strong soloist who moves well (Chiquitita, Dancing Queen, Super Trooper, Take a Chance on Me, etc.)

Sam Carmichael - 40-50, American--A wealthy architect and one of Sophie’s potential fathers; straight-laced, charming, and confident; Sam has regretted leaving Donna all his life and now finds himself divorced and back in her presence. Strong soloist who moves well (S.O.S., Thank You for the Music, Knowing Me Knowing You, etc.)

Harry Bright - 40-50, English--Another of Sophie’s potential fathers; once a head-banging musician, now a respected London banker; a quirky but nice guy, determined to make up for some past regrets. Strong soloist who moves well and preferably plays guitar. (Thank You for the Music, Our Last Summer, etc.)

Bill Austin - 40-50, often portrayed as Australian--A well-known travel writer and another of Sophie’s potential fathers; a happy wanderer who has avoided the complexities of a relationship and now wonders if it’s too late. Strong singer who moves well (Thank You for the Music, The Name of the Game, Take a Chance on Me, etc.)

Sky Rymand - 25-30, American--Sophie’s fiancé; a former stockbroker who moved to the island in a young version of a mid-life crisis. Strong singer and dancer (Lay All Your Love on Me, etc.)

Ali - Early 20s, American--Sophie’s friend, who traveled to the island for the wedding; filled with bubbly, bridesmaid excitement. Strong singer and dancer (Honey Honey, etc.)

Lisa - Early 20s, American--Another of Sophie’s friends, who traveled to the island for the wedding; also filled with bubbly, bridesmaid excitement. Strong singer and dancer (Honey Honey, etc.)

Pepper - 20-25, could be from anywhere--Barman at the Taverna; energetic, fun-loving and flirtatious; friends with Eddie. Strong dancer and singer (Does Your Mother Know?, etc.)

Eddie - 20-30, American--Waiter, boatman and handyman at the Taverna; other half of double-act with Pepper. Strong dancer and singer (Full Company numbers)

Father Alexandrios - mature, Greek--Minister who officiates Sophie’s wedding in the final scene; ensemble in other scenes

Ensemble Members - A diverse company of strong singers and dancers to portray Islanders, Taverna Employees, and Wedding Guests, and to provide vocal support with back-up singing.

Questions? Concerns? Contact the director at cramirez@nmusd.us