Daytona State to conduct open auditions for summer musical, Once on This Island

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 24, 2014) – The Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art at Daytona State College will conduct open auditions for Once on This Island at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at the News-Journal Center at 221 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach. 

In addition, the open audition is an opportunity for both theatre and non-theatre majors to apply for Theatre Scholarships; these are awarded to DSC students who participate in theatre classes or productions – tuition scholarships range from $600 to $2,400 per academic year.

Once on This Island, the highly original and theatrical adaptation of popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid, is an almost non-stop song and dance show. It tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. After Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice and hatred. Appropriate and entertaining for the whole family.

Auditions will be held for the following roles:

• TI MOUNE: Female Lead. A naive peasant girl in Haiti whose life is being led/helped by the gods. The heroine. Young, full of restless energy and fervor, she is immature and even a little selfish in her single-minded quest for freedom. Requires a strong dancer. Soprano with belt.
• YOUNG TI MOUNE: (5-12) Also plays the child for whom the story is told. Energetic, confident and sweet with a strong speaking and singing voice.
• DANIEL BEAUXHOMME: Male Lead. A wealthy Haitian, who is cared for by Ti Moune after a car crash. Sensitive and poetic, he must be quite convincing as a romantic interest for the spirited Ti Moune. Tenor.
• ERZULIE: Goddess of Love. A mentor for Ti Moune. Ethereal. Loving. The most approachable of the gods, but ultimately no less egocentric; by love, she means romance. Requires a strong Soprano.
• AGWE: God of Water. A mentor for Ti Moune. Larger than life. Mysterious. Requires a very strong singer with a dramatic voice and big range; Baritone/Bass.
• ASAKA: Mother of the Earth. A mentor for Ti Moune. Spunky. Happy. Requires a strong singer – soprano with belt.
• PAPA GE: God of Death. Antagonist embodying the fears of all the peasants, and easy to dislike. Dark Tenor.
• MAMA EURALIE: Ti Moune’s adoptive mother, protective, superstitious, fiercely loving and strong willed. Alto.
• TONTON JULIAN: He is Ti Moune’s adoptive father, and from him she has learned the sacrificial love she demonstrates later. Caring, loving – a typical father. Baritone/Tenor.
• STORYTELLERS: (All ages) Narrators of the story of Ti Moune. Predominantly speaking roles.
• ANDREA DEVEREAUX: Daniel’s betrothed – she seems cold at first, but turns out to be both humane and determined. Mezzo.
• MONSIEUR BEAUXHOMME: Daniel’s father. Baritone.

Participants should prepare one-minute song (if auditioning for the musical) and monologue; bring sheet music in the correct key and a headshot and résumé if available, as well as a list of conflicts within the rehearsal/performance dates.

Production dates for Once on This Island: June 6-7, 12-14, at 7:30 p.m., and  June 6, 8, 13 and 15 at 2:30 p.m. - held in the Gillespy Theater, News-Journal Center.

For more information about the audition and Theatre Scholarship application, call (386) 226-1903 or email SternS@DaytonaState.edu.

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