Footlite Musicals is proud to announce open auditions for Mary Poppins, directed by Josh Vander Missen and produced by Nicole Sherlock, with choreography by Trish Roberds and vocal direction by Jill Stewart.
Please come prepared to sing 16-32 bars from a song that shows off your vocal talent, with sheet music in the correct key for the provided accompanist. A change of clothes for the dance portion of the audition is encouraged. There will be an optional dance workshop to learn the choreography.
This is not a youth production. The only roles available for performers 18 and under are Jane and Michael.
We are pleased to make a virtual audition option available, but this is intended only for those who have conflicts during the audition dates.
You cannot have conflicts after November 13. All conflicts must be listed on your audition form. The number of conflicts listed may impact casting decisions.
We are committed to inclusive casting, welcoming performers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. There are no age restrictions for this production. Those under 18 must have parent or guardian present at auditions.
If you have any questions regarding the audition process, please contact us.
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Josh Vander Missen
Tech Director: Stephen Matters
Stage Manager: Melissa Yurechko
Choreographer: Trish Roberds
Assistant Choreographer: Amy Matters
Vocal Director: Jill Stewart
Music Director: Meg Benedict
Costume Designer: Vickie Tewes
Wig Designer: Drew Bryson
Lighting Designer: Andy Stephens
Scenic Designer: Mary Lich
Producer: Nicole Sherlock
Everyone’s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure! 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 members 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 upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”
Book by Julian Fellowes
Original Music & Lyrics by Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman
New Songs & Additional Music & Lyrics by Anthony Drewe & George Stiles
Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh
Based on the stories of P.L. Travers & the Walt Disney Film
Mary Poppins: Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key. (Range: Gb3-C6)
Bert: The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man. (Range: B2-F#4)
George Banks: The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. (Range: Bb2-Eb4)
Winifred Banks: George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone. (Range: A3-D5)
Jane: The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Stage age: 10 to 13 (Range: A3-F#5)
Michael: The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents. Stage age: 7 to 11 (Range: A3-E5)
Bird Woman: Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life. (Range: Gb3-C5)
Mrs. Corry: Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great wisdom. Our production will not be using a foreign accent for this role. (Range: C4-C5)
Miss Andrew: George’s overbearing, villainous, and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range. (Range: Gb3-F5)
Robertson Ay: The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. (Range: F3-G#4)
Mrs. Brill: The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. (Range: A3-D#5)
Katie Nanna: Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Policeman: A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Miss Lark: The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.
Admiral Boom: A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. An intimidating man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. May double as the Banks Chairman.
Park Keeper: Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Neleus: The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. A strong dancer.
Bank Chairman: The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary. (Range: C3-D4)
Miss Smythe: The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary.
Von Hussler: A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.
John Northbrook: An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community.
Ensemble: Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers. Unless otherwise specified, all characters speak with a standard British accent.