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Open Auditions for Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Scheduled

Arts and Entertainment

February 16, 2024

From: LifeHouse Theater

Audition dates are announced for the fully staged Broadway musical for this year's Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival, Disney and Cameron Makintosh’s “Mary Poppins.” Producer-Director Wayne R. Scott has scheduled the open auditions for two upcoming Saturdays: March 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and March 16, from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The auditions will be held at Mission Gables, directly behind the Redlands Bowl on Eureka Street.

"The auditions will be conducted by appointment through a convenient reservation system," said Scott. “All roles are open at this time."

Appointments can be made online by following the link posted on the RBPA Mary Poppins Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RBPAMaryPoppins. The link can also be found at both the LifeHouse Theater (https://lifehousetheater.com) and the Redlands Bowl webpage (https://redlandsbowl.org). Those auditioning are asked to upload a recent photo and a theatrical resume when making their audition appointment. Those without a theatrical resume can list any performing experience they may have had, though none is required to audition. Appointments can be made the day of auditions as space permits.

Scott emphasized that the first Saturday, March 9, will be devoted to those auditioning for principal or choral roles. The second Saturday, March 16, will be for select candidates who are called back and for those unable to audition on March 9. These auditions will be conducted by appointment throughout the morning.

Those auditioning should be prepared to sing 16 measures of any familiar Broadway musical style song, preferably from Disney and Cameron Makintosh’s “Mary Poppins.” They must bring their own sheet music in their key, and Scott will provide an accompanist. He will not consider electronic sound accompaniment, such as music tracks, and no a capella singing will be considered.

In addition to singing, Scott may ask auditioners to interpretively recite the lyrics of their song or to read excerpts from scripted scenes. Memorization is not necessary as they may refer to the lyrics or lines provided. Those auditioning may also be asked to perform a single dance routine to be taught at the auditions.

The musical is currently scheduled to be performed with a live full orchestra and presented on Tuesday, July 23, (Public Dress Rehearsal) and Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, July 25 through 28, at the Redlands Bowl. The performances begin at 8:00 PM each evening.

After the cast is selected, Scott and his production staff will hold a required orientation meeting the evening of Thursday, April 25, and rehearsals are scheduled to begin the first week of May. The cast will rehearse at the Redlands Bowl as often as possible.

Disney and Cameron Makintosh’s “Mary Poppins" is the critically acclaimed Broadway smash hit musical based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film. The production delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved production features world famous songs by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, including “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Jolly Holiday,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” and “Feed the Birds,” among other hits that have been enjoyed by millions of fans throughout the world.

Scott encourages people interested in backstage and technical staff work to also come on the scheduled audition days. He has already secured some positions, including Music Conductor Nolan Livesay, Assistant Director Jeff DeWitt, Choreographer Michael Milligan, and Production Assistant / Cast Coordinator Sarah Pearce.

For additional information, contact Sarah Pearce by email at [email protected] or call the Redlands Bowl Performing Arts office at 909-793-7316.