Musical Theatre Audition Resources

Hello Grade 4 to 6 Performers!

We are SO looking forward to diving into the magic of musical theatre with you in Mary Poppins, this term!

This page will be your resource for the first session of the term – the Audition Workshop.

Please email if you have questions or if we can support you in any way. We are here to help!

See you soon!

Liz & Maggie

Audition Workshop: Monday January 13, 2025 – school dismissal to 5:35pm.

Audition Session: Monday January 20, 2025 – school dismissal to 5:35pm.

NOTE that Monday January 20 is an Early Dismissal Day. Our session will run from 2:45pm to 5:35pm.

Casting Announcements and First Rehearsal: Monday January 27, 2025 – school dismissal to 5:35pm.

Full cast auditions will be held during the second session, on Monday January 20.

We will review the audition process and requirements with the group in the Audition Workshop on Monday January 13. During this session, we will come together as a theatre family, engage and explore through creative activities and experience the excitement of preparing for an audition.

Participants are welcome to use this online resource page to prepare one of the 2 vocal audition options. We will fully support all cast members in the audition process and we will teach them everything they need to know during the session on January 13.

Please see the full term rehearsal and performance schedule here.

Resources for Parents and Guardians:

Please see our note on how you can help to support your child in this show here.

Please see a detailed outline of our audition and casting process here.

Please see the Explore It! Performing Arts Programme Overview & Approach here.

Vocal Audition

(Participants will be taught the following, and will be asked to sing one of the two options below as a solo, a cappella, on audition day.)

Nowhere To Go But Up

Note: start track at 1:15 for selected excerpt below.

Can You Imagine That?

Note: start track at 0:28 for selected excerpt below.

Some people like to laugh at life
And giggle through the day
They think the world’s a brand new shiny toy
And if while dreaming in the clouds
They fall and go kersplatt
Although they’re down and bent in half
They brush right off and start to laugh
Can you imagine that?

• • •

Some people like to dive right in
Can you imagine that?
And flap about in bathtub gin
Can you imagine that?
Doggies paddling twenty leagues below
Might seem real but we know it’s not so

• • •

To cook without a recipe
Can you imagine that?
And heaven knows what lives within that pot
Some pirates follow treasure maps
And wear a silly hat
They search the world for buried gold
They won’t grow up and don’t grow old
Can you imagine that?

Dance Audition

Participants will be taught a short combo to the following piece and may be asked to perform it in small groups on Audition Day. A video will be added after the Audition Workshop on January 13.

Characters to be Cast

(Note that the finishing touches are still being put on the script and characters below maybe altered slightly before casting is completed to make the best possible accommodations for the group.) 

• Mary Poppins (role will likely be divided)
• Bert (role will likely be divided)
• Jane
• Michael
• Winifred
• Mr. Banks
• Ellen
• Mrs. Brill
• Katie Nanna
• Constable
• Bankers:
  • Dawes
  • Tomes
  • Mousley
  • Grubbs
• Penguins
• Music Hall
  • Conductor
  • SIngers
• Bird Women
• Ensemble – featured throughout the show in multiple songs and scenes, playing different characters throughout, such as Suffragists, Music Hall Attendees, Bank Clients, Sweeps and more. 

A Note on Auditions

Auditions are an important part of any performing artist’s life. In our Audition Workshop, we will work in a safe and supportive environment to introduce participants to the skills needed to be a confident performer.

Every participant registered for the program will be cast in the show. Auditions serve to give the performers experience in the area of auditioning, as well as to inform the casting of the show. Casting is done by committee with the support of the school.

Cast members should be available to attend the whole audition session. Participants will be lead through short dance and dramatic exercises, and will be asked to sing a brief solo.

Casting is completed with an effort to support all participants as best as possible. With this in mind, we consider a participant’s readiness to take on the responsibility of a role above any other factor.

• Grade 4 participants will be cast in Ensemble roles with ample stage time and group work.
• Grade 5 participants will be cast in Featured Ensemble roles with ample stage time and group work, and the opportunity for some small solos.
• Grade 6 students will be considered first for Principal roles with more responsibility.

We believe that this structure allows participants to mature as performers throughout the program, helping them to be successful and confident on stage, and to develop the skills needed to do more in the theatre – and in other similar areas!

Audition Skills

We will cover all of the following material, before participants are expected to audition:

• What should you expect in an audition?
  • How to introduce yourself.
  • How to choose the right song or monologue.

• How to look the part:
  • Take off things that may be distracting.
• Act professionally and have a great, confident attitude. 
  • Remember that ALL roles are great roles. 
  • Start presenting yourself before you’ve even entered the audition space. 
  • Be friendly, polite and supportive – always. 
• Be prepared:
  • Know the show you are auditioning for or the part you think you’d most like.
  • Learn your words and music … but don’t over-rehearse. While you will be able to be your best self in your audition if you have your song memorized, it’s completely acceptable to carry your lyric sheet on stage with you. Most important is that you try to relax, enjoy the experience and project – your effort and attitude is what matters most.
  • Take a beat before beginning.
  • Don’t apologize if you make a mistake – ask politely to start again. (In any audition, you will be judged on your abilities but – more importantly, on how you handle yourself.)
  • Drop your guard and try to not be shy – show off your skills!
  • Stay positive and have fun. Look at each audition as an opportunity to do the thing you love the most — perform! Show off and have fun with it!

A Word on Nerves

It’s okay to be nervous. In fact, it’s a good thing. Take that nervous energy and turn it into positive energy – it will power your audition!

Accepting Your Role

You should know and understand that the Directors feel positively about you and your work and want to see you excel and grow in the program. This usually means starting as a member of the Ensemble and taking on more responsibility as time goes on. If you have concerns over your audition or your role, take the opportunity to discuss these concerns with the Directors in the 3rd week of the program (the week after casting has been completed). If you want to take on more in the current show, demonstrate this by learning the part you have been cast in thoroughly and by bringing a great attitude to every rehearsal. Let the Directors know that you’d like to take on more and then give them time to see what is possible. Your desire for more is always appreciated.