Footlite Musicals is proud to announce auditions for HELLO, DOLLY!, for the 2023-2024 season. The creative staff is seeking a racially, ethnically, and physically diverse cast of actors of any gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We are seeking actors of all ages, with some availability in our ensemble for those under the age of 18. All those auditioning will go through the same audition process.

Auditions will begin at 6:30 PM on July 10th and July 11th, both to be held at Footlite Musicals, located at 1847 N Alabama, Indianapolis, IN. You may choose to attend only one of these audition dates.

Please prepare up to 32 measures of music to sing on the day of the audition. We ask that you do not sing a song from the show but would prefer to see material with the same musical style/feel. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music printed and prepared in the correct key.

A callback will be held, if necessary and by invitation only, to hear readings from the script and additional songs from the show. Everyone should expect to hear results by July 13th.

Immediately following the singing portion of the audition will be the dance portion. You will have time to change clothes if you choose to do so. Anyone auditioning will need to participate in the movement portion of the audition to the best of their ability, regardless of what role they are auditioning for.

There will also be a dance workshop on July 1st at 3:00 PM at Footlite Musicals to teach the choreography for the audition. Attending this workshop is optional and the dance sequence will be recorded for those who are unable to attend on July 1st.

The directors are requesting that anyone interested in auditioning to please sign up for a time slot in the SignUpGenius link below. Walk-up auditions will be seen on a first come, first served basis in between those that were previously scheduled.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AEA828A3FECE9-hello

Please note: Online video submissions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You must email the directors, Kayvon and Erin Emtiaz, by July 7th in order to be virtually considered. Make sure that a musical selection in the style of HELLO, DOLLY! as well as the dance combo taught at the workshop are included in your submission.

Rehearsals will begin the week of July 16th and will take place on Sunday-Thursday evenings. Most rehearsals will occur at Central Christian Church, located at 701 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN. Production dates are September 22-24, September 28-October 1, October 5-8. Please bring a list of all conflicts to the audition. No conflicts are allowed during the production dates. The entire cast is required to have received the COVID-19 vaccine and will be required to show proof of vaccination if cast.

Footlite is an all-volunteer, non-Equity community theater. There is never a participation fee to be involved in a Footlite Musicals production. To learn more about Footlite Musicals, visit us at www.footlite.org.

If you have any questions, please reach out to directors, Kayvon and Erin Emtiaz, at emtiazfam@gmail.com.

SYNOPSIS:

With musical hits by Jerry Herman, this adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s hit play The Matchmaker bursts with humor, romance, energetic dance and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. The romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn-of-the-century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things,” are certain to thrill and entertain audiences again and again.

HELLO, DOLLY! premiered on Broadway on January 16, 1964 at the St. James Theatre. Opening with Carol Channing in the title role, the show ultimately played for 2,844 performances, making it – at the time – the longest-running Broadway musical in history. This hilarious comedy also won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The West End production ran for 794 performances at London’s Drury Lane Theatre. The musical has been revived several times on Broadway, most recently in 2017, starring Bette Midler as Dolly Levi, and won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Revival.

CAST LIST:

Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi — Matchmaker, widow, meddler, opportunist, life-loving, commanding, strong stage presence. Vocal range: mezzo. Stage age: 35-50. Dance ability: some.

Mrs. Irene Molloy — Hat Shop owner, widow, beautiful, smart, fun-loving. Vocal range: soprano. Stage age: 30-40. Dance ability: strong.

Minnie Fay — Irene’s assistant, naïve, straight-laced, fresh, follower. Vocal range: mezzo. Stage age: 17-20. Dance ability: strong.

Ermengarde — Horace’s niece, whining, high-strung, wants to marry Ambrose. Vocal range: any. Stage age: 17-20. Dance ability: strong.

Horace Vandergelder — Well-known half-a-millionaire, widower, owns the Feed Store, gruff, set in his ways, authoritative. Vocal range: baritone. Stage age: 40-60. Dance ability: some.

Cornelius Hackl — Head clerk at the Feed Store, energetic, enthusiastic, and adventurous. Vocal range: baritone. Stage age: 30-40. Dance ability: strong.

Barnaby Tucker — Assistant to Cornelius at the Feed Store, naïve, energized, follower. Vocal range: baritone. Stage age: 17-20. Dance ability: strong.

Ambrose Kemper — Struggling artist, good-natured, accommodating, wants to marry Ermengarde. Vocal range: tenor. Stage age: 18-25. Dance ability: strong.

Ensemble — Townspeople of New York, Yonkers Band, Lodge Members,

Feed Store Customers, Harmonia Gardens Customers/Employees, Courtroom Employees, Polka Contest Contestants, 14th Street Parade Ensemble

Some doubling will be employed in the ensemble and supporting roles.

STAFF LIST:

• Director/Vocal Director: Kayvon Emtiaz
• Director/Hair/Makeup: Erin Emtiaz
• Assistant Director: Kendrell Stiff
• Producer: Lauren Laski
• Choreographer: Rick Barber/Chris Watson
• Assistant Choreographer: Parker Mae Taylor
• Rehearsal Accompanist: Gisele Dollinger
• Conductor: Jill Goodwin Stewart
• Costume Designer: Vickie Ben Tewes
• Stage Manager: Melissa Yurechko
• Lighting Designer: Maria Matters
• Sound Designer: Louie Wieseman
• Set Designer: Jerry Beasley
• Set Builder: Al Edyvean
• Scenic Designer: ML Lich
• Props: Claire Slaven
• Backstage Coordinator: Abby Bien