CURRENTLY CASTING
Applications for Astravaganza Entertainment's August 2024 production of 'Annie' The Musical are now OPEN!
If you love performing, musical theatre, drama, singing and dance, culminating in a full-scale production then this is the summer school for you.
Throughout the two weeks you will be working towards a full-scale musical production of 'Annie', which will be performed during week 3 of the school, coached and taught by industry professionals.
Build your confidence, have fun, make friends for life and create memories that last forever!
Please note that the Adult Ensemble and Principal roles such as Oliver Warbucks, Miss Hannigan, Lily St. Regis and Rooster Hannigan will be played by adults and rehearsed within the same two-week timeframe on evenings only. Their roles are all still to be cast and anyone interested in portraying these roles should contact Liam (Producer) directly via email; astraents@gmail.com to express their interest.
*The only cost involved for Adult Performers is a one-off payment of £50 to contribute towards costume hire.
Production Team
Producer: Liam Glendinning
Director: David Ducasse
Choreographer + Children's Director: Benjamin Mundy
Associate Choreographer: Alexandra Waite-Roberts
Musical Directors: John Hudson & Jen Stevens
Dance Captain: Bekka Whaley
£95 per week per Junior Child
£285 in total for three weeks
£70 per week per Senior Child
£210 in total for three weeks
Junior Children (Orphans) - Age 7 - 13 years old - Female identifying performers
Senior Children (Ensemble) - Age 14 - 17 years old - Male + Female identifying performers
Initial Childrens Audition Date: Saturday 25th May
12.30 - 18.00 at Playhouse Whitley Bay
Senior Children Ensemble Auditions - 12.30 - 13.30
Junior Children General Orphan Auditions - 14.00 - 15.30
Junior Principal Orphan Auditions (Named Roles) - 16.00 - 18.00
Week 1 + Week 2 of the Summer School: Decote Dance, Unit 39, Royal Quays Outlet, North Shields, NE29 6DW
Week 3 of the Summer School / Performances: Playhouse Whitley Bay
Week 1: Monday 12th - Saturday 17th August
Monday - Friday - Juniors - 10.00am - 6.00pm
Monday - Friday - Seniors - 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday - 10.00am - 6.00pm - Juniors + Seniors
Week 2: Monday 19th - Saturday 24th August
Monday - Friday - Juniors - 10.00am - 6.00pm
Monday - Friday - Seniors - 4.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday - 10.00am - 6.00pm - Juniors + Seniors
Week 3: Monday 26th - Saturday 31st August
Week 3 of the Summer School will operate very differently to week's 1 and 2. A separate day / time schedule will be issued once the production has been cast and the Children have been allocated their specific performance teams. Flexibility will be needed for the earlier part of this week for Technical + Dress rehearsals. The performance schedule is as follows:
Wednesday 28th August @ 7.00pm
Thursday 29th August @ 2.00pm + 7.00pm
Friday 30th August @ 7.00pm
Saturday 31st August @ 2.00pm + 7.00pm
All successful cast members must be available on the evening of Monday 10th June for a photoshoot.
The role of 'Sandy' will be played by a real dog and so interested cast members should not have allergies / a fear of dogs.
Roles Available
Principal Children (Age 7 - 13 years)
Anyone auditioning for a Principal role should learn both 'It's A Hard Knock Life' and 'Tomorrow' off by heart. Script work will be workshopped as part of the audition and no preparation for that is required.
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. We are looking to cast Orphans that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer, mover and be visually expressive.
Molly - Playing age of 7 - 8 years
Molly is the youngest of the Orphans.
Kate - Playing age of 8 - 9 years
Kate is the second youngest of the Orphans.
Tessie - Playing age of 9 - 10 years
Tessie is the cry-baby of the Orphans.
Pepper - Playing age of 10 - 11 years
Pepper is the toughest of the Orphans.
July - Playing age of 11 - 12 years
July is the quietest of the Orphans.
Duffy - Playing age of 12 - 13 years
Duffy is the oldest of the Orphans.
Annie - Playing age of 9 - 12 years
Annie is a complex, tough, streetwise urchin who is surprisingly vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: her newfound "family." We are looking to cast an excellent actress who can act motherly, independent, overwhelmed and hopeful. She should be strong vocally and musically and be able to light up the stage during "Tomorrow!"
General Orphanage Children (Age 7 - 13 years)
The female identifying Orphanage children should be good singers, movers and be visually expressive.
Senior Child Ensemble (Age 14 - 17 years) - Male + Female Identifying Performers
The male and female identifying younger Ensemble members should be good singers, movers and be visually expressive.
Junior Children wishing to audition for Principal roles should prepare and learn the full song 'Tomorrow' + 'It's A Hard Knock Life' off by heart.
Junior Children wishing to audition for a general Orphan role should prepare and learn the full song 'It's A Hard Knock Life' off by heart.
Senior Children wishing to audition for Ensemble roles should prepare and learn a verse and chorus of 'It's A Hard Knock Life' off by heart.
On the day of the audition, you should wear comfortable clothing and footwear that you can move in easily. No jeans please.
During the Summer School, the Junior Children can be dropped off / collected up to 60 minutes earlier / later each day by special arrangement. This would need to be discussed via email once a place within the Summer School has been confirmed and will be subject to a small additional fee.
It is imperative that your child is available for all of the dates and times listed above prior to attending the initial audition.
Following a successful audition, a deposit equal to one week’s summer school is to be paid within 24 hours, with the remaining balance to be paid no later than 31st July, 2024.
Please note that once you have signed up to audition with us you will not receive confirmation or any further correspondence from us and should just turn up at the advertised audition start time.
Disclaimer: We have been inundated with enquiries about the summer school which we are thrilled about and hope to be able to sign of many of you up as possible. Every effort has gone into ensuring that all of the necessary information you need ahead of signing up is given here. Please thoroughly check that your question is not answered within this information and then if you would still like to speak to us, please email; astraents@gmail.com.