OPEN YOUTH AUDITIONS: Bye Bye Birdie
- Majestic Marketing
- Mar 20
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Bye Bye Birdie: Youth Edition
By Michael Stewart, Charles Strouse, and Lee Adams
Directed by Chuck Skinner
Music Direction by Rebecca Douglas
Open Auditions: April 18th
Camp Dates: July 6th - 24th Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm
Performances: July 24, 25 at 7:00 pm and July 25, 26 at 3:00 pm
Prices: $650 In-City / $775 Out-of-city
NOTE: Because this is an audition-only summer camp, every child who is cast in the show will be required to register for camp through Corvallis Parks and Recreation and pay the registration fees for the child to participate. Payment Plans and Scholarships are available, please contact the Majestic Business Office (541-758-7827) for more information about the application process.
AUDITION DETAILS:
When: Saturday, April 18th, 12:00 - 4:00 pm
(doors open at 11:30am for registration, please do not show up to audition later than 12:15pm)
Please note: If your child cannot make it to the in-person auditions because of a prior commitment, we will be accepting video auditions. Video auditions are due no later than 5pm on Friday, April 17. Please scroll down for video audition instructions.
Where: The Majestic Theatre (Corvallis, Or.)
What to prepare: Auditionees are encouraged to bring sheet music for 30 seconds of a prepared song (about 16 bars) from a Broadway musical or Disney movie (something other than music from Bye Bye Birdie). If you don't have sheet music or time to prepare a song, no worries! You can sing "Happy Birthday" instead.
What to expect: Prospective young actors can show up ready to move and have fun! Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in and close-toed shoes to the audition. Water bottles are encouraged but not required. The following is the basic outline of what auditions will look like:
1. Registration: Students will arrive and check-in at the registration tables in the Main Lobby.
Audition Form: Students and Guardians are required to fill out the Bye Bye Birdie Audition Form and get an audition number (also written on top of the audition form)
If you would like to save yourself some time on audition day, you can fill out the digital audition form ahead of time!
Digital audition forms are due on Thursday, April 16th at 5pm. If you miss this cutoff, no worries! You'll just have to fill out a paper form on the day of the audition.
2. Headshot: Students will take their completed audition form and audition number to the South Lobby to get their photo taken. (Headshots are used to help the directing team remember who is who during the casting process of auditions.)
3. Introductions and Warm-Ups: After completing the registration process, students will wait in the auditorium until auditions begin. There will be staff introductions and how the audition process will work, followed by group warm-ups lead by one of the instructors.
4. Blocked Schedule: Students will be divided evenly into 4 groups and will rotate between each category of auditions: singing, acting, and dancing.
Auditions will run the full time, then students will be dismissed. There will be no call backs, but we will be making phone calls to offer roles as early as that evening, the next day, and by Monday the 20th at the latest.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
· Auditions begin at 12:00 pm but Registration begins at 11:30pm. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before 12:00pm
· A parent or guardian needs to accompany the child to registration to fill out the necessary forms and give a signature of permission for the child to audition
· Auditions are "closed", meaning parents cannot watch the auditions, however, they can stay and wait for their child in the South Lobby or pick them up at 4:00 pm.
· Auditions run the full time. Please do not arrive late. You cannot audition if you arrive later than 12:15 PM.
VIDEO AUDITIONS
If you have prior conflicts, you can still audition through video submission. Please submit all video auditions to Jadi.Dicksa@corvallisoregon.gov no later than 5pm on Friday, April 17.
Here are the requirements:
1. Please have the auditionee state their first and last name.
2. Acting: provide a short excerpt of any (school-appropriate) scene from a play. Aim for an exchange of about eight lines, with a friend or family member reading the other character's lines. Prior to beginning the excerpt in the video, the auditionee should state the name of the show and the name(s) of the character(s) in the scene.
3. Singing: 30 seconds of a song (not from Bye Bye Birdie) with some kind of accompaniment, live or recorded. If you choose to sing "Happy Birthday" you can find accompaniment below!
4. Optional: 30 seconds of a dance or movement style of your choice, this can either be improvised or choreographed.
BYE BYE BIRDIE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
ALBERT PETERSON
The president of the Almaelou Music Corporation and Conrad Birdie’s agent. He is a nervous, excitable man who spends most of his time trying to control the uncontrollable, with quite comic results.
Performer Age Preference: 13+
ROSIE ALVAREZ
Albert’s girlfriend and secretary at the Almaelou Music Corporation, who is frustrated with Albert’s inability to commit to her. She is willing to do anything it takes to get Albert to give up the music business and settle down. Headstrong and confident, she is often one step ahead of Albert.
Performer Age Preference: 13+
MRS. MAE PETERSON
Albert’s controlling mother. She loves her son, despite her disapproval of the way he runs the family business and (especially) his affection for Rosie. She has never stopped parenting Albert, and her mounting frustration throughout the show as Albert begins to stand up to her provides recurring comic relief.
CONRAD BIRDIE
Teen heartthrob who has been drafted into the army. This character was written with Elvis Presley in mind. He says little but conveys much with his body language, swagger and, of course, his music. This is someone who thinks that good looks and a killer smile will get him more than his personality. Performer Age Requirement: 13+
KIM MACAFEE
The self-confident young member of Conrad’s fan club who is chosen to receive a kiss from Conrad before he leaves for the Army. She sees herself as more mature than the average teenager.
Performer Age Requirement: 13+
HUGO PEABODY
Kim’s devoted steady boyfriend who is jealous that Conrad is receiving so much attention from Kim.
Performer Age Requirement: 13+
MR. HARRY MACAFEE
Kim’s father who thinks he’s in control of his family and his teenage daughter (but isn’t).
MRS. DORIS MACAFEE
Kim’s loving mother who knows just how to handle her husband and her household.
URSULA MERKLE
Kim’s best friend and the hyper-enthusiastic teenager who leads the girls in screaming for Conrad.
RANDOLPH MACAFEE, ensemble
Kim’s younger brother.
THE MAYOR, ensemble
The head figure of Sweet Apple, Ohio, who welcomes Conrad Birdie to town. He is a bit naïve to the effect Conrad has on the girls of the town.
EDNA, ensemble
The Mayor's wife, and a Conrad Birdie fan.
GLORIA RASPUTIN, ensemble
The ambitious girl whom Mrs. Peterson chooses to replace Rosie. She is looking for her big break in show business and hopes Albert can help her. Age Preference: 13+
MRS. MERKLE, ensemble
Ursula’s overbearing mother.
HARVEY JOHNSON, ensemble
A typical nerdy teenager who can’t seem to get enough of the gossip going on in Telephone Hour.
MR. JOHNSON, ensemble
Harvey’s father and one of the many parents in Sweet Apple desperate to keep control of their children as Conrad Birdie comes to town.
ALICE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
DEBORAH SUE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
HELEN, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
NANCY, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
MARGIE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
PENELOPE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
SUZIE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
FREDDIE, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
KARL, ensemble
A teenager in Sweet Apple.
Ensemble
Policemen, reporters, conductor, trainman, citizens of Sweet Apple.
