AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD THE EVENINGS OF MAY 10 AND MAY 13
CALLBACKS ARE THE MORNING/AFTERNOON OF MAY 18
AUDITION SIGN-UPS WILL BEGIN ON THIS PAGE IN MID-APRIL
In the meantime, please carefully read everything below...
Freaky Friday is a fresh, dynamic stage adaptation brought to life by the award-winning Broadway team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, known for their work on the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal. With a contemporary, pop-infused score and set in modern day, they’ve given this beloved story a new depth and energy that’s sure to captivate you and our audiences.
Prepare to be swept away on a magical, musical adventure that explores the profound bond between a parent and child in the most unexpected way. Our characters discover what it’s like to walk a mile in another’s shoes…or rather, live a day in another’s body! When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before mom’s big wedding.
Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a hilarious, contemporary update on an American classic. Through catchy tunes and unforgettable moments, Freaky Friday explores themes of empathy, understanding, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Unlike any show that’s ever graced our stage, audiences are guaranteed another magical Upper Room Theatre experience!
LISTEN TO THE AWESOME MUSIC HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjA6GkzwtdzYny07BmIk1u2Aickv6ZOqu
CAST: ALL roles are open to rising 9th-12th graders, college students, and young adults in their 20s and 30s.
AGE EXCEPTIONS FOR 2024: The roles of Katherine and Mike are also open to those in their 40s and 50s. The role of Fletcher is open to boys ages 8-12. The Grandma and Grandpa roles are open to those in their 40s through 60s.
CHARACTER | Gender | Character Age (Actors can be older or younger than Character Age Range) | Description as from Script |
---|---|---|---|
Ellie Blake | F | 16 | Our hero, smart, funny, messy hair that hasn’t seen a comb; needs strong belt, F5 – Gb3 |
Katherine Blake | F | 40 (Casting open to Women in their 30s, 40s, 50s) | Ellie’s mother, 40’s, decisive, lovely, punctual; strong belt, Ab5 – F3 |
Adam | M | 17 | The Listmaster, a paragon of adorable cool; Bb5 – Eb3 |
Mike | M | 40 (Casting open to Men in their 30s, 40s, 50s) | Katherine’s fiancé, confident, charming, kind |
Gretchen | F | 16 | Ellie’s best friend, intense, emotional, lacks confidence |
Hannah | F | 16 | Also Ellie’s best friend, hacker-geek, nerd-girl |
Torrey | F | 20s-30s | Katherine’s assistant, a high-strung perfectionist |
Fletcher Blake | M | 10 (Casting open to boys between 8-12) | Ellie’s brother, 10, eccentric, naïve, obsessed with his puppets |
Savannah | F | 16-17 | The villain, brilliant, aggressive, a winner |
Parker | M | 16-17 | Ellie’s friend, completely average, best friends with Wells |
Wells | M | 16-17 | Ellie’s friend, dorky but not meek, best friends with Parker |
Officer Sitz | F | mid 20s-30s | Police officer who never received sensitivity training |
Officer Kowalski | M | 30s | Another police officer who never received sensitivity training |
Pastor Bruno | M | mid 20s-30s | Cheerful, loves weddings |
Danielle | F | 20s-30s | “Weddings Magazine” journalist, polished, grimly cheerful |
Louis | M | 20s-30s | “Weddings Magazine” photographer, seen it all, loves his job |
Senor O'Brien | M | mid 20s-30s | Spanish teacher, pugnacious |
Mrs. Luckenbill | F | mid 20s-30s | English teacher, empathetic |
Ms. Meyers | F | mid 20s-30s | Gym teacher, extremely intense! |
Dr. Ehrin | M/F | 30s | School counselor, test obsessed and overworked |
Grandma Helene | F | 70s (Casting open to Women in their 40s-60s) | Katherine’s mother, fiercely opinionated, caring |
Grandpa Gordon | M | 70s (Casting open to Men in their 40s-60s) | Katherine’s father, grumpy, stubborn, old-school |
Laurel | F | 14-18 | Random teen, unimpressed |
Mr(s) Blumen | M/F | 30s | Biology teacher, a cynical lifer |
Mrs. Time | F | 40 | Antique shop proprietor, apathetic, doesn’t much like teenagers |
Students (1-3 more) | M/F | 14-18 | Savannah's minions or Adam's gang |
CASTING TEAM: Director: Rob Tessier, Music Director: Chris Zavadowski, Choreographer: Marianna Constable, Assistant Director: Ashton Schaffer
REHEARSALS: Rehearsals begin MAY 22, 2024 (that is a full company rehearsal). Those cast will only be called to rehearsals when needed, sometimes for parts of rehearsals as well (you will not be called to every single rehearsal until July). The bulk of rehearsals will happen on Saturdays from 9:00am-2:00pm, Sundays from 5:00-10:00pm and two additional floating weekday evenings from 6:30-10:00pm (generally Mon, Tues, Wed, or Thurs as we try to avoid Fridays). Those preparing to audition should do everything possible to keep those dates and times available.
PERFORMANCES: The production will run July 16-21, with required full company strike (take down of all set/lighting/clean-up) on July 22.
REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to sing a contemporary musical theater piece for us. We expect that your vocal performances for us always demonstrate your storytelling and ACTING abilities. Every single role in this show requires strong acting.
Plan for a 45-second private audition with our directors to show off your singing and acting.
NOTE: For the role of Fletcher, we will hold small group auditions for the boys 8-12. Fletcher candidates are NOT required to prepare any song.
SINGING: While you should know your entire song, for your audition we want to hear a cut that is no longer than 45 seconds (approximately 32 bars of music). We would prefer if you choose a modern, contemporary MUSICAL THEATER song in the style of this show. However, please do not choose a piece from Freaky Friday. Arrive 10 minutes early, bring your sheet music (or audio player/smartphone out of its case and with a headphone jack – NO CDs), and bring your completed Audition Information Form you will receive after you sign up for an audition slot.
If you belt, please let us hear a song that shows off your belt (healthily!). Multiple roles, especially our leads, are written with belting.
NOTE: For the role of Fletcher, we will hold small group auditions for the boys 8-12. Fletcher candidates are NOT required to prepare any song.
We are providing a fantastic pianist for your audition accompaniment (but wired speakers will be available too only if you are bringing a device that has a headphone jack). If you choose to perform a song, we ask you to bring sheet music for our audition accompanist (we ask that you avoid a cappella singing as we want to hear you with music). If you can find sheet music for your song, we would prefer live music accompaniment played by our pianist.
DANCING: For our initial round of auditions, you will not be asked to dance. If you are called back to the second round of auditions on May 18, then you may be asked to learn and perform a dance for us.
(NOTE: If you can’t make our in-person initial auditions and want to send in a video, please email [email protected] for special arrangements.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Upper Room Theatre Ministry is sponsored by All Saints Catholic Church. Casting will result in a mixture of members from All Saints in addition to those outside the church membership. We certainly welcome anyone within the required age ranges to audition. Be aware that because we are a ministry, we incorporate prayer into our rehearsal process by beginning and ending our rehearsals with prayer and dedicating our efforts to God. You don’t have to be Catholic, just open to allowing faith into the theatrical process.
Everyone is a volunteer. Proceeds from the production directly support the Youth and Young Adult Ministry spiritual opportunities and missions in addition to supporting future theatrical renovations.
Anyone involved with our production over 18 must be Virtus-approved (this is our child protection program, since we will have people involved with the production under 18). It’s EASY to be approved as long as you fill out paperwork (this is the link to Virtus details), permit a background check, and attend a 3-hour training on a Saturday morning. You can learn more at www.virtus.org (our diocese is Arlington). You do NOT need to do this prior to auditioning, but if you are called back, you will be required to do the initial steps (background check) BEFORE callbacks.
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected]
AUDITION SIGN-UPS GO LIVE ON THIS PAGE IN MID-APRIL.
At that time, you can choose your audition spot on May 10 or May 13.
The latest updates are always posted on our home page and social media pages.
Please check back in mid-April for the final audition details and to choose your spot.