• Lagniappe-Potpourri: 2023-2024

     

    FALL PLAY AND LAGNIAPPE-POTPOURRI AUDITION INFORMATION 23-24
    For a downloadable copy of this information, click HERE.

    WHAT IS FALL PLAY? 

    Fall Play is a traditional scripted play that is directed by a faculty member. This year’s Fall Play is The Burial at Thebes (a version of Sophocles’ Antigone) by Seamus Heaney and will be presented in the McGee Theatre. Students may choose to audition or apply to be Rehearsal Assistant (contact Ms. Kirsch kirschh@nths.net) or a student designer (contact Mr Ferguson fergusod@nths.net)

    For an animated video summary of the story, visit https://youtu.be/Lak0__1Hqwc


    WHAT IS LAGNIAPPE-POTPOURRI?     

    Lagniappe-Potpourri is New Trier's musical variety show. It features original scenes, songs, and dances as well as student-designed sets, lights, and costumes. Students are mentored in all levels of production and decision-making including building, choreographing, composing, conducting, designing, directing, managing, marketing, performing, producing and writing. 

    Lagniappe-Potpourri develops student leaders and artists within the philosophy of the Performing Arts Division. 


    IMPORTANT DATES

    Auditions: Wednesday, June 7
    Auditions and Callbacks: Thursday, June 8
    Rehearsals and Crew begin Tuesday, August 15 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Light lunch provided. Snacks and water recommended.
    Parents/Guardians and students must attend the Mandatory Information Meeting on Thursday, August 24 at 6pm in the Gaffney Auditorium, Winnetka Campus.
    Fall Play Performance dates are September 27-29.
    Lagniappe-Potpourri Performance dates are October 3-5.


    MATERIALS TO SUBMIT FOR THE AUDITION

    Fall Play and Lagniappe

    1. Complete the Audition Form by June 5. 

    2. You will submit a completed 2023-24 Consent Form in the digital form.

    3. You will submit a complete list of conflicts using the Lagniappe Production Calendar and/or Fall Play Production Calendar(s). All conflicts must be listed or they will not be honored. 

    Lagniappe Only

    1. Acting/Joke audition (See details below)

    2. Song audition (See details below)

    3. Dance audition (See details below)


    AUDITION SCHEDULE

    IF YOU ARE ONLY AUDITIONING FOR FALL PLAY

    Wednesday, 6/7 (bring lunch and water, be dressed to move)

    General Auditions: You will get an assigned time slot between 2pm and 4:30 pm.

    Thursday, 6/8 (bring water and be dressed to move)

    Callback Auditions: Plan to attend from 11am to 2pm


    IF YOU ARE ONLY AUDITIONING FOR LAGNIAPPE

    Wednesday, 6/7 (bring water and be dressed to move)

    Dance Auditions: You will get an assigned time slot between 1pm and 4:30pm

    Thursday, 6/8 (bring lunch and water, be dressed to move)

    Song and Joke Generals: You will get an assigned time slot between 10am and 12pm.
    Dance Callback: If selected, you will get an assigned time slot between 12:30 and 3pm.
    Scene and Song Callback: If selected, plan to attend from 2pm to 5pm.


    IF YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR BOTH FALL PLAY AND LAGNIAPPE (we will make sure you have breaks in the day)

    Wednesday, 6/7

    Fall Play General Auditions: You will get an assigned time slot between 1pm and 3:15 pm.
    Lagniappe Dance Auditions: You will get an assigned time slot between 2:15pm and 4:30pm.

    Thursday, 6/8 (bring lunch and water, be dressed to move)

    Lagniappe Song and Joke Generals: You will get an assigned time slot between 9am and 11am.
    Fall Play Callback Auditions: Plan to attend from 11am to 1pm.
    Lagniappe Dance Callback: If selected, you will get an assigned time slot between 1pm and 3pm.
    Lagniappe Scene and Song Callback: If selected, plan to attend until 5pm. 


    WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY AUDITION?

    Fall Play 

    Bring a pencil and be dressed to move. 

    Select one monologue from the Monologue Folder.

    Please DO NOT memorize your monologue for the audition.

    Instead, any preparation time you spend should be with a pencil – noting on your selected monologue the Vocal Choices that make the story you are telling clear to a listening audience. Consider the Emotional changes and Intellectual points your character is making – and how you communicate that through vocal choices and your physicality.

    *I suggest you enlarge the font and print it on 2 sides of a piece of paper. This will make it easier to read and allows room for your markings.

    If you would like more background on the story and characters, an animated video summary of the story is available on YouTube:   https://youtu.be/Lak0__1Hqwc

    The full script is available HERE.


    Lagniappe

    ACTING/JOKE: Please memorize one of the jokes below and perform it for us as one of the given characters. We want to see STRONG vocal and physical choices in your audition that help express a distinct character. Consider how to SELL a comedic moment…how can you use comedic timing, pauses, vocal and physical choices to make the comedy pop? We might then ask you to do your joke again as a different character or with a different direction. Remember to GO BIG! We want to see choices, so don’t hold back. Gaffney is a HUGE space. Show us that you can fill it! We’re all rooting for you!

    JOKES:

    • What do you call a can-opener that doesn’t work? A can’t-opener!

    • What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.

    • I gave my batteries away today. They were free of charge.

    • Why shouldn’t you trust atoms? They make everything up.

    • I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey… but then I turned myself around. 

    POSSIBLE CHARACTERS:

    • Jock

    • Mean Girl

    • Mean Teacher

    • Theater Kid

    • Emo Kid

    • Stoner

    • Hippie

    • Sports Announcer

    • Toddler

    • Old Person

    • Bully

    • Nerd

    • Teacher’s pet

    • Energetic freshman

    • Exhausted senior

    • Karen

    • Ted Talk Presenter


    SONG: Pick one of the following songs that you feel best presents your voice and demonstrates your skills as a performer and storyteller. All selections should be memorized. Be ready to perform your selection in front of a panel. Please focus on how you want to use your voice, body, and face to help your audience see the story you are telling. Make clear choices in the interpretation of your selection and don't feel confined by the context of the musical or revue it is originally from. 

    Click SHEET MUSIC to download sheet music. 

    Accompaniment tracks can be accessed by signing into your New Trier Google Account and clicking HERE. (link pending)

    DANCE: The general dance audition will consist of learning a dance combination from the choreographers from video recording. This recording will be available HERE (link pending) by May 30. You will learn the dance with the video on your own or with friends for presentation at a live audition on June 6. You will have the opportunity to work with the choreographers and ask questions before presenting on that day. 


    WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE AUDITIONS?

    Make sure your hair is out of your face. Wear clothes that you can move in and make you look and feel good. Avoid flip-flops, or any shoe that makes it difficult for you to move. 

     
    WHEN DOES THE CALLBACK LIST GET POSTED AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

    Callback auditions will be Thursday, June 7. 

    If you are called back, the student leaders are interested in seeing more of your work, specifically the ability to create clear and interesting characters. Lagniappe is also interested in learning more about your ability to dance and blend your vocals. Some students who are called back may not be cast in the production. Conversely, some students who are not called back may be cast. You will audition in front of adult and/or student production teams. You may perform in front of fellow auditionees at the callbacks. 

     
    WHEN DOES THE CAST LIST GO UP?

    Cast list will be emailed by June 13. 

    CREW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM       

    All performers are required to fulfill the Crew Apprenticeship Program within one year after being cast in the first production. Students enrolled in Theatre 1 for the entire year in 2022-23 and 2023-24 fulfill their expectation in class. Please see the NTHS Student Guidebook for more information. 
     

    WHAT IF I'M NOT CAST BUT STILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED?

    If you audition for the show and don't get cast, there are many great ways to get involved. Please visit the New Trier Performing Arts webpage for additional performing arts opportunities, including Stage Crew, Costume Crew, Pit Band and other productions.  


    WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?

    If you have any questions about Lagniappe, please contact Ms. Nina Lynn at LynnN@nths.net.
    Contact Ms. Kirsch at KirschH@nths.net for Fall Play information.
    For information about Stage Crew, please click https://www.ntstagecrew.org/