Spring Play

  • Spring Play Audition Information

    Noises Off

     

    All interested New Trier students are encouraged to audition for Noises Off. The audition schedule is:

    General Auditions Wednesday, March 13, 3:45 to 7pm in the McGee Theatre

    Callbacks Thursday, March 14, 3:45 to 7pm in W215 (WN Large Choral Room)

    All of this information can be downloaded in the Noises Off Audition Packet


    WHEN ARE REHEARSALS?      

    Rehearsals begin March 18 and performances are May 16-18. Please see the Noises Off Calendar. We will not have rehearsal March 21-22, over Spring Break or on Sundays. Students who accept a role in Noises Off commit to our rehearsal schedule. This is both a preparation and a safety issue. Starting on Wednesday, May 8, weekday rehearsals extend to 8pm. 


    WHAT’S THE PLAY ABOUT?      

    Noises Off is about a troupe of British actors trying to rehearse and present a play for a small tour of the U.K.  The actors get tangled up in their lines, each other’s lives, and one another’s limbs in this farce about staging a farce. 

    • Dotty – the star of the company.  An older actress looking for a show that will keep her working for awhile.
    • Belinda – the elegant supporting actress.  A true professional and a true gossip.
    • Garry – a character actor.  Inarticulate but sincere.
    • Selsdon – the oldest member of the company.  He’s very sweet and sometimes drunk.
    • Brooke – very pretty and very dumb.  She spends most of the play in a slip.
    • Frederick – an aging leading man.  Very needy and not very bright.
    • Lloyd – the director.  He’s just trying to keep everything together.
    • Tim – the technician for the play and understudy for some of the roles. Exhausted. 
    • Poppy – the company stage manager.  She’s a little overwhelmed. Understudy for some of the roles


    HOW DO I AUDITION?      

    • Complete the Parent/Guardian Consent/Conflict Form. Please reference the Production Calendar.
    • Complete the AUDITION FORM. Form will be available on or before February 23. It will close at 12pm on March 13.
    • Read How to Audition for a New Trier Production from the Performing Arts webpage and this information in the packet carefully.
    • Memorize and prepare a monologue from this packet or a one-minute piece that you already know. See the “What about the monologue” section for additional information.
    • Come to the audition about 15 minutes before your appointment. We will check you in and you will present your monologue for the directors. 


    WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE AUDITIONS?      

    Wear clothes that you can move in and make you look and feel good. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Do not wear costumes but you may want to consider that all audition monologue and Noises Off characters are adults. 


    CALLBACKS
    The callback list will be emailed by 9pm on Wednesday, March 13. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 3:45 to 7pm in W215 at the Winnetka Campus. Students will perform scenes from the play at the callbacks. This is an opportunity to show that they have read the play, have made strong vocal and physical choices for each of the characters, and are able to respond effectively to their scene partners.


    WHEN DO THE CAST LISTS GO UP?

    Cast lists will be emailed on or before 6pm on Sunday, March 17. 


    CREW APPRENTICESHIP

    All performers are required to fulfill the Crew Apprenticeship Program within one year after being cast in their first NT production. Students who are currently enrolled in Theatre 1 and Technical Theatre and Design or completed a full year of either course in the 2022-23 school year fulfilled their CAP in class. Please see the NTHS Guidebook or Performing Arts website for more information. 


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

    Stage Crew is a great way to get involved with the productions. All crews are open to anyone interested, and they are a LOT of fun – no prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining crew, please visit www.ntstagecrew.org. Looking ahead, auditions for the Fall Productions are in June or August. More information will be posted in May. 


    WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?      

    If you have any questions or concerns about the play, contact Ms. Lynn (012C Winnetka), 847-784-6888, LynnN@nths.net 


    WHAT ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE?      

    Pick one of these monologues or one of your own choosing for your audition.  All selections should be memorized.  Monologues are not taken from Noises Off but were chosen from plays with similar language, styles, or characters.  Please use a standard British accent. You may perform any of the monologues. Change pronouns and names as needed. After you perform your monologue, you may be asked to start it again with a different intention or focus. It’s not because your first interpretation was wrong. Instead, the director is interested in learning more about your range as a performer and how you respond to direction. Think of it as a mini callback.

    Please read Noises Off before your audition as we will use scenes from the play in callbacks.  Copies are available in the “files” section of the Thespian Advocacy course on Canvas. If you need access to the course, contact Ms. Lynn (LynnN@nths.net.) You will audition in front of the director and the student directors.  You will not perform in front of other auditioners until the callbacks.