Upcoming Auditions
The Rainbow Fish Musical
Audition dates: EXTENDED THROUGH EARLY MARCH!!
If you cannot attend our audition dates, we will try to schedule an alternate date.
Please send us an email ASAP: DACODETROIT@HOTMAIL.COM
Show dates: April 20-21, 2024
DACO is excited to present a new musical based on the international bestseller and award-winning book The Rainbow Fish. The Rainbow Fish Musical is filled with a beautiful message of friendship and belonging. This large-cast musical features a variety of charming school and sea-creature characters who admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. When Rainbow Fish refuses to share his (or her!) vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores him/her anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus. Octopus helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than beautiful. With a bubbly, energetic score and a script that invites fantastic creativity and flexibility, the universal message at the heart of this one-of-a-kind musical becomes much more than just a simple children’s story.
Adapted from the book by Marcus Pfister, translated into English by J. Alison James, with illustrations by Marcus Pfister. Surrounded by a creative and supportive atmosphere, you will have a magical Dream Arts experience!
Full Production Details & Policies
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Performers in kindergarten - eighth grade are eligible to audition.
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Note: If you cannot attend our audition dates, we will try to schedule an alternate date. Send us an email ASAP: DACODETROIT@HOTMAIL.COM
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SPRING BREAK–We are aware of multiple Spring breaks during our production. Our program is designed to handle all the upcoming breaks. Students will not experience casting penalties due to planned vacations.
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This program is perfectly designed for newcomers and seasoned performers.
AUDITION DETAILS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-2:
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Kindergarten through second-grade students do not need to prepare an audition song for the audition. K-2 graders will participate in a workshop-style audition session on the day of their scheduled audition. Please dress for formvement and wear gym shoes.
AUDITION DETAILS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-8:
Acting Audition
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Acting ability will be judged from the vocal audition. Performers must demonstrate acting talent through their songs.
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
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Prepare one full Broadway or Disney song that best highlights your range and style.
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NOTE: Students 12 years and older (and adults) should prepare an additional contrasting song in case the director needs to see more. The team may or may not ask for the second piece during the audition. The contrasting piece must highlight qualities not seen in the first piece. (Example: upbeat vs. ballad, comedic vs. dramatic, legit vs. non, etc.)
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Be prepared to learn a musical theatre dance combination. Please wear attire that allows you to move appropriately and shoes appropriate for dance. You do not need to prepare a dance combo ahead of time.
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An accompanist will be provided—NO A CAPELLA OR SINGING WITH PRE-RECORDED MUSIC WILL BE ALLOWED.
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Bring an 8x10 headshot/recent photo. You DO NOT have to have a professional headshot. A simple pic of yourself is fine!! Make sure you are the only one in the picture. Photos are not returned to you. Please write your full name on the back of your 8x10 photo.
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Parents can wait in our designated room/area during the auditions.
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Please prepare one song from a Broadway musical that best highlights your range in the style of the show. You may select any Broadway show, but we strongly suggest a non-contemporary audition rep song. However, please attend our audition call feeling confident and comfortable with your piece.
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Perform a Broadway or Disney selection that you feel makes you shine! Below is a small list of songs you cannot sing, including any material from The Rainbow Fish Musical, Madeline's Christmas, A Little Princess, Wicked, Hamilton, Legally Blonde, All Sondheim musicals, Avenue Q, Six, The Book of Mormon & Beetlejuice. No POP songs! Please only perform a Broadway or Disney song.
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VERY IMPORTANT: Please plan on performing your musical selection with the same amount of acting with which you rehearse and perform a monologue or scene.
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Bring your sheet music (w/full piano accompaniment) with you. PLEASE Three-hole punch your music and place your music in a 3-ring binder!
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Arrive NO MORE THAN 10 minutes before your audition appointment.
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PLEASE NOTE: The audition process may take approximately 1 -2.5 hours.
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Online Sheet Music Resources: JW Pepper Music online; www.sheetmusicplus.com;www.amazon.com; www.musicnotes.com
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ADVICE: Please do not wait until the last minute to order your music. We strongly suggest practicing/reviewing your sheet music with a pianist before your audition. Do not assume your song's CD/Radio version is the same as your sheet music. Hearing the sheet music version of a song for the first time during an actual audition will not allow you to perform at your best!
When You Arrive:
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Dress for success. You should look like the best version of yourself. Be comfortable but professional and able to move naturally in your clothing and footwear.
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Arrive no more than 10 minutes early, and warm up physically and vocally.
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Arrive with all forms and your conflict calendar wholly filled out. An accurate conflict form is critical. Please DO NOT rush to complete the paperwork; we need all the information to make casting decisions.
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Exhibit courteous and professional behavior to everyone you encounter that day. Your conduct at every point of the process is observed and noted.
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Relax, breathe, and HAVE FUN! Let your personality shine through!
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Bring water for hydration and smile to make yourself feel good!
When You Enter the Audition Room:
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Smile and say "hello" to the audition panel; you are already auditioning.
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Go to the accompanist first and talk them through your music.
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Go over essential details. Where you start and stop. What you need at the beginning (i.e., “Play this note really loud, it’s my starting pitch.”). Your desired tempo. Anything unique, like a hold or a place where you will slow down or speed up.
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Stand on the X marked on the floor and SLATE (introduce yourself and your piece).
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For example, “Hi! My name is Carly Jones; I am 16 and attend ABC Academy. Today I am performing “Ribbons Down My Back” by Jerry Herman from Hello Dolly!
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Conclude your entire audition with a “Thank you” to the panel and pause.
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PAUSE BEFORE LEAVING in case the panel has questions for you. We may ask you to do a section of your piece in a different way or an improvisation or ask you about something on your resume. Say “yes!” to anything asked of you. Take risks, and make bold choices. Exit with the confidence that you did your very best.
AUDITION RESERVATIONS ARE OPEN!! EMAIL US TODAY!!
Auditions are via appointment only! Email: dreamartsco@gmail.com (Subject: RAINBOW FISH AUDITION)
AUDITION REQUEST
Please include the following details in your email:
· FULL NAME (PERFORMER):
· AGE:
· GRADE (23/24):
· SCHOOL (please do not abbreviate):
· CELL PHONE NUMBER (PERFORMER):
· ADULT/GUARDIAN NAME & EMAIL:
· ADULT/GUARDIAN CELL PHONE:
· HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT OUR AUDITION CALL?:
We will contact you via email within 5-7 days with a confirmed time and additional audition details.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
· Rehearsals typically occur weeknights (2-3 times a week) after 5 p.m. and a few weekends. All cast members are not scheduled for all rehearsals.
· There are tuition and additional production-related fees for youth and teens in elementary, middle, or high school (23/24 school year). See details below.
· Callbacks are usually a minimum of 4 hours.
· IMPORTANT: IF YOU RECEIVE A CALLBACK--YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE ENTIRE CALLBACK SESSION. FLEXIBILITY AND PATIENCE ARE A MUST DURING OUR CALLBACK SESSION. IF YOU RECEIVE A CALLBACK AND ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND--WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE A SEPARATE CALLBACK TIME FOR YOU.
TUITION & FEES
· Tuition Fee: Elementary, middle, or high school participants who are cast will pay a $300 production fee. Tuition is non-refundable/non-transferable. 100% of these fees are put towards the cost of the production. All shows and final rehearsals are mandatory. If assistance is needed, please indicate interest in your audition email request.
· Costume Fee. The production fee does not fully cover rented or custom-made costumes. Participants will pay a fee to help cover the rental, creation, and/or purchase of costume items. Prices will vary depending on the size and number of roles/costumes needed for each actor.
· Shoes. For this production, some actors will be required to purchase Heelys (or a similar brand) in addition to dance shoes.
ADDITIONAL FEES (most are optional):
o Merchandise (cast t-shirts/sweatpants/bags, etc.)
o Cast Retreat (not optional)
o Show tickets
o Field trips
o Costume accessories/shoes/wigs/leotards/tights/stage makeup/hair accessories (not optional)
o Cast Party.
o These and other ancillary costs are not included in the tuition fee.
PARENT VOLUNTEER HOURS
· Parent Volunteer Hours are REQUIRED for all parents with children in elementary, middle, or high school.
· After casting, you may indicate your work assignment preference, but assignments are based on production needs. The strike is scheduled immediately following the final production.
· Children of parents who fail to volunteer for both pre-production duty and show duty will be dismissed from the cast. Tuition and production-related fees, including tickets, are non-refundable.
REHEARSALS
· Audition & Rehearsal Location: We primarily rehearse in Downtown Birmingham and sometimes in Royal Oak.
· Students are not penalized for winter/spring sports or additional after-school activities.
· We are aware of multiple Spring breaks during our production. Our program is designed to handle all the upcoming breaks. Students will not experience casting penalties due to planned vacations.
· Rehearsal times will vary from one role to another as rehearsals are scheduled around scenes/numbers. Therefore, some participants will rehearse more often than others. Once you receive your audition form --you are asked to indicate if you have regular rehearsal conflicts during the week and on weekends.
· ALL PARTICIPANTS are required to attend dress rehearsal every night of performance week. These rehearsals are vital for everyone in the company.
· Technical rehearsals are scheduled for April 12-21, 2024
· If you have a conflict with one of our mandatory dates, please email us and explain. dreamartsco@gmail.com
ATTENDANCE/CONFLICT POLICY DETAILS
· We require you to submit all conflicts during the auditions.
· All conflicts must be handed in by the last night of callbacks.
· Additional or new conflicts are considered unexcused absences and may lead to being dropped from the show.
· No tuition will be refunded if a performer is forced to withdraw because of too many conflicts.
· We reserve the right not to cast a participant if that person has excessive conflicts.
· Participants may have NO conflicts during technical weeks (the last week of rehearsals before the show opens.)
CASTING POLICY
Click here to read and review DACO's casting policy.