Auditions for the October production of Billy Elliot, the musical will be held on June 25th. Due to the ongoing restoration and renovation of Civic’s 19th Street Theatre auditions will be held at community partner, Muhlenberg Elementary, 740 N 21st Street.
Ballet Girl candidates will be seen at 6:00 with all others at 7:30. Please bring a photograph, resume, and arrive early enough to fill out an audition form. Doors will open at 5:30.
Most of the leading roles will have been cast at a previous season audition. Look for exciting news in the coming weeks about casting. The director & choreographers are seeking dancers who sing for the roles of Ballet Girls, able to play ages 6-16; one Small Boy ages 4-6; as well as adult speaking and ensemble roles. The production plays in Civic’s newly renovated 19th Street Theatre October 12-28 and is directed by William Sanders with choreography by Deena Linn, Sarah Parker, Sanders, and Jennifer Haltzman Tracy. All roles require movement, but singing is not significant. Those auditioning for the Ballet Girls should come prepared to dance. Everyone should prepare 8-16 bars of any song and may be asked to read and learn a short movement piece. All ages and types are encouraged to audition - these people are working people...who DANCE! For more information email director William Sanders at
SYNOPSIS
Tony award winning Billy Elliot, the musical, based on the Oscar nominated film of the same name tells the story of a young boy from a coal mining village in northeast England who transcends class and circumstance to become a ballet star. The musical is set against the backdrop of the 1984-5 miners’ strike, which tragically affects the whole village. Billy is looked after by his father, brother, and grandfather, after his mother’s death a few years earlier. They are not well off and have no experience with, or tolerance for, the arts. His dad and brother are totally against the idea of him learning to dance but Billy finds himself drawn towards the ballet world. As a result, Billy is forced to take his boxing lesson money and use it secretly for dance lessons from local dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson. She quickly notices that Billy is a prodigy and takes him under her wing. Soon, despite his family’s resistance, Mrs. Wilkinson manages to get Billy an audition with The Royal Ballet School in London. The village learns to overcome their ill-founded prejudices and, along with Billy’s father, come around to support Billy's dream to become a dancer as Billy defies the odds and is finally accepted into The Royal Ballet School.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(Still seeking)
Tony
Billy's brother. A lazy but passionate miner. Hotheaded and scrappy with seemingly no regard of respect for his father, although he shares his disapproval of dance.
Gender: male
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Older Billy
A professional ballet dancer who dances with Billy at the penultimate moment of the play. Also plays a male dancer who coaches Billy‘s father on how to be the father of a male dancer in one scene. May also appear in other places in the play if desired.
Gender: male
Age: 18-28
Non-singing
Ensemble
Miners (Big Davey, George, Lesley and more); Ballet Girls (Angela Robson, Tracey Atkinson, Keeley Gibson, Tina Harmer and more); Police Officers; Royal Ballet School Members (Clipboard Woman, Posh Boy, Posh Son, Dancer)