Disney’s Mary Poppins Fact Sheet

The story: One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical. The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it." Performances: All performances will take place at the J. Harley Bonds Center at 505 N. Main St. in Greer. Performance dates are November 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14 & 15th. Curtain times are 7 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 pm on Sundays. All actors, musicians and crew members will be expected at the theatre at least one hour before curtain time. (Much more on performance logistics will be forthcoming.) Rehearsals: A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed to cast members along with scripts on August 17th. A tentative version of the schedule is available at the audition. Please make sure you get a copy before auditioning. In general, the schedule of rehearsals will proceed as follows:

• A mandatory cast and parent’s meeting and initial read-through of the script will be held at 6 pm Monday, August 17th at Tryon Rec Center. It is at this meeting that detailed GCAC policies will be discussed. We will also be taking head shots, measurements and doing a makeup check that night.

• The first rehearsal will be on Monday August 24th at the Tryon Recreation Center at 6:00pm. • Rehearsals generally take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. A

tentative rehearsal schedule is available at: www.greerculturalarts.com/whats_new_attachments/Mary_Poppins_Calendar__2_.pdf

• A mandatory makeup clinic will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 10 am-12:30 pm in lieu of rehearsal.

• Technical rehearsal (cue to cue) will be held on Saturday, October 31st from 9a-4p pm at the Bonds Center. All actors must keep this day free.

• This is a rigorous show with a correspondingly rigorous rehearsal schedule. Please do not audition if you cannot meet this schedule.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and performances unless you are seriously ill or have indicated a specific conflict (with exact date and time) on your audition form. (If an actor does become ill, someone designated by the actor must call the director or stage manager prior to rehearsal.) This is an ensemble piece, so all characters will occasionally have evenings off of rehearsal. Regardless, please note ALL potential conflicts on your audition form. More than two unexcused absences will result in removal from the cast. No conflicts of any kind will be honored after October 19th, when we begin technical rehearsals, full run-throughs, and dress rehearsal. No matter your part, we have to be able to count on you being there for these most critical days in the production process. Auditions: You are no doubt well prepared for today’s audition. The key is to relax and show us some energy and enthusiasm. This show will be carried by not only the talent of the cast, but by your energy. Don’t hold back! You should have an excerpt of an appropriate song prepared for today (not necessarily from Aladdin). Your audition will consist of singing your song and performing some dance steps that you will learn prior to being called in for your audition. You may also be asked to read a scene from the play. Remember – energy!

Available roles and age range: All roles are available. Auditions are open to actors age 8 to adults. Callbacks: We are anticipating a great turnout for these auditions, and thus we’re also anticipating having to make some difficult choices in casting. There will be a callback session on Monday, August 3rd from 6:30 pm- 9 pm at the Tryon Center. This will allow us to try different combinations of actors before making our final decisions. The director will call you personally if you are called back. Please make every effort to attend if you are asked to do so. Please note that being called back is not a guarantee of being cast, nor is not being called back an indication that you aren’t being cast. Please prepare to stay the entire time and eat dinner prior to coming. Cast list: The cast list will be posted to the web site (www.greerculturalarts.com) by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7th. After the audition, don’t dwell on it! Hope for the result you want, but don’t obsess over it. Realize that there are many factors that go into a casting decision. Sometimes it could be as simple as needing a tall male actor if we decide on a tall female actor. Your job is to show us your talent as best you can in your audition. Who you might be friends with, plays you’ve been in for GCT before, how hard you’ve campaigned for a part – none of that matters. In the end, feel good about yourself no matter what! Remember that there are many people out there who didn’t have the guts to audition, but you did. Volunteer help: We will need teams of parents and young people to assist in the following areas (among others): Set construction, Costumes, Props, Sound/Lighting, Publicity, Backstage crew, Backstage monitors, Concessions, House manager, Make-up, and Cast party organization. We will discuss these roles at the parents’ meeting on November 13, but please start thinking about where you’d like to help. Please note that each cast member is responsible for 15 hours of volunteer service, which may be carried out by family and friends on your behalf. Each cast and crew member is asked to sell at least one business ad for the program. This helps to support the financial side of the production and we expect everyone to participate in this activity. **All cast members (or family members of the younger cast) are required to help with strike after the last production on November 15. Strike is the breakdown of the stage, sets, green room, collection of props, costumes, etc. and getting everything back to the Tryon Center. Costumes: Although GCT designs and purchases materials for most costumes, actors may also be responsible for acquiring some clothes, appropriate footwear, and/or appropriate undergarments as needed. The bottom line: This is a blockbuster musical that will showcase the talents of many amazing actors. We are shooting for nothing less than a professional-quality success – sellout performances, standing ovations, and most importantly a wonderful, memorable experience for all involved. We’re looking for talented, dedicated, motivated people – young and young at heart – to be a part of it. Thanks so much for coming out to audition!

Luke Browder, Director June Horton, Choreographer Alexandra Eshenbaugh, Music Director Rhonda Parker, Stage Manager Nina DeMaria, Production Manager, 313-8899 (c) Robin Byouk, Cultural Arts Supervisor, 848-5383 (w)