Performers age 7 -Adult are eligible to audition. 

Note: We do not charge a production fee to adults. 

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Show dates: December 15 & 16, 2023 

 

Auditions are ONGOING!! Please get in touch with our office via email to schedule an appointment. 

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DACO is proud to open its season with the heartwarming musical Madeline's Christmas. 

 

“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines,” begins the story of Madeline. This holiday season will be unlike any other for Madeline and her friends. While on their morning walk with Miss Clavel, the girls come down with the flu, and as they take to their bed, many wonder if they will be able to go home for Christmas. With the arrival of a mysterious stranger, Madeline and the other girls get a holiday adventure beyond their wildest dreams. This is a musical play adapted from Ludwig Bemelmans’ delightful book.

Surrounded by a creative and supportive atmosphere, you will have a magical Dream Arts experience!

This program is perfectly designed for newcomers and seasoned performers.

 

Acting Audition:

Acting ability will be judged from the vocal audition. Performers must demonstrate acting talent through their songs.

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AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

• Prepare one full Broadway or Disney song that best highlights your range and style.

• 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.)

• 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. 

• An accompanist will be provided—NO A CAPELLA or SINGING WITH PRE-RECORDED MUSIC ALLOWED.

• 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.

• Parents can wait in our designated waiting room during the auditions.

•  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 selecting a non-contemporary audition rep song. However, please attend our audition call feeling confident and comfortable with your audition piece.

• 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 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. 

• 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.

• 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!

• Arrive NO MORE THAN 10 minutes before your audition appointment.

• PLEASE NOTE: The entire audition process may take approximately 1 -2.5 hours.

• 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!

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When You Arrive:

• 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.

• Arrive no more than 10 minutes early, already warmed up physically and vocally.

• 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.

• Exhibit courteous and professional behavior to everyone you encounter that day. Your conduct at every point of the process is observed and noted.

• Relax, breathe, and HAVE FUN! Let your personality shine through!

• Bring water for hydration and smile to make yourself feel good!

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When You Enter the Audition Room:

• Smile and say "hello" to the audition panel; you are already auditioning.

• Go to the accompanist first and talk them through your music.

• Go over essential details in your music. 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.

• Stand on the X marked on the floor and SLATE (introduce yourself and your piece).

For example, “Hi! My name is Carly Jones; I am 16 years old and attend ABC Academy. Today I am performing “The Real Love of My Life” by Lerner and Lowe from Brigadoon.

• Conclude your entire audition with a “Thank you” to the panel and pause.

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.

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AUDITION RESERVATIONS ARE OPEN!! EMAIL US TODAY!!

Auditions are via appointment only! Email: dreamartsco@gmail.com (Subject: MADELINE AUDITION)

 

AUDITIONS FOR STUDENTS 8-18: 

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?: 

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We will contact you via email within 5-7 days with a confirmed time and additional audition details.

 

AUDITIONS FOR ADULTS 18+:  

Although there is no production fee for adults, we have mandatory requirements for adults interested in auditioning.

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Please email DREAMARTSCO@GMAIL.COM (Subject: Adult Audition for MADELINE) to receive a production outline designed for adults. 

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In your inquiry email, please include the following:

• FULL NAME:

• PRONOUNS: 

• CELL PHONE NUMBER: 

• AGE:

• Current grade/School (if applicable):

• Mailing address: 

• How did you find out about our audition?: 

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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. Partial financial scholarships are available for teen actors currently in high school!  If assistance is needed, please indicate interest in your audition email request.

• 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 $380 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. Partial financial scholarships are available for teen actors currently in high school!  If assistance is needed, please indicate interest in your audition email request.

• Costume Fee.  Participants in elementary, middle, or high school--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. 

• ADDITIONAL FEES (most are optional): 

  • Merchandise (cast t-shirts/sweatpants/bags, etc.)

  • Cast Retreat (not optional)

  • Show tickets

  • Field trips

  • Costume accessories/shoes/wigs/leotards/tights/stage makeup/hair accessories (not optional)

  • Cast Party.

  • 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 fall/winter sports or additional after-school activities.  

• 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 December 9-16, 2023

• If you have a conflict with one of our mandatory dates, please email us and explain. dreamartsco@gmail.com

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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.

• If a performer is forced to withdraw because of too many conflicts, no tuition will be refunded.

• 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.)

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CASTING POLICY

Click here to read and review DACO's casting policy. 

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