Audition Requirements

PLOS Musical Productions

Les Miserables

Audition Bookings open 1 February 2019 @ 10:00am

We invite you to audition for our spectacular production of Les Miserables, performing at the Frankston Arts Centre from the 2 – 10 August 2019

One of the world’s most iconic and longest-running musicals, Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former convict who spends a lifetime seeking redemption, love and compassion. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France and the aftermath of the French Revolution, this timeless story of intertwined relationships reveals the power of compassion and human spirit. Performed in over 40 countries and 22 languages, and with a lush, swelling score that features such famed songs as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” and “Bring Him Home,” Les Miserables brings Victor Hugo’s revolutionary novel to life.

Cast Ages

·         All cast (with the exception of Young Cosette, Young Eponine and Gavroche) are to be 16 years of age or above by 1 July 2019. A separate student ensemble aged 18 – 22 is also required.

       Young Cosette, Young Eponine and Gavroche must be aged between 9 – 12 years by 1 July 2019.

 Les Miserables requires a broad spectrum of ages and younger or older performers will all be considered during casting.  

 Audition Information

·         Auditions by appointment only.

·         Auditions will be in 10 minute allotments.

·         Please note, all auditions will be recorded, and destroyed at the conclusion of casting.

·         Please prepare two contrasting songs showcasing vocal range and acting ability. Please choose an appropriate starting place and note the panel may not be required to hear all of your pieces. Audition pieces must be from legit musical theatre. We are seeking male and female performers for all positions. Women should be sopranos (lyric or coloratura), mezzo sopranos or contraltos, with strong legit musical theatre or opera voices. Men should be strong legit musical theatre or opera tenors, baritones, or basses. Part of your vocal audition may include range extension and vocal testing.

·         Please ensure your sheet music is clear and legible, and marked with specific cuts, repeat marks and instructions clearly highlighted and is in the correct key. No transposition will be done. Music should be presented in correct order in a non-glare display folder.

·         Piano Accompaniment will be provided. No CD backing tracks or unaccompanied auditions will be accepted. Note that you will have time to review this with the audition pianist prior to your audition. Own accompanist is permitted.

·         A movement audition will be held – please note not all roles will be required for the movement audition. Details of the movement audition will be provided to you after your vocal audition. Auditionees must wear appropriate clothing to the movement call as well as appropriate footwear – jazz shoes, jazz boots or runners, chorus heels.

·         Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time to complete the necessary registration details.

·         Please bring a current resume and a non-returnable current clear photo of yourself.

 Audition Dates  

·         Auditions are scheduled from Sunday 24 February – Saturday 2 March.

·         Children’s Vocal Auditions – Sunday 24 February.

·         Adult Vocal Auditions – Sunday 24 February, Monday 25 February, Tuesday 26, February, Wednesday 27 February as required.

·         Movement Auditions – Thursday 28 February.

·         Call-backs – Saturday 2 March.

·         All times will be advised during your booking process.

 Rehearsal Information

·         Rehearsals commence on Sunday 17 March at 1:00pm.

·         Rehearsals are held on Monday, Thursday evenings (7:30pm – 10:30pm) and Sunday afternoons (1pm – 5pm).

·         In the latter stages of the rehearsal period, weeknight rehearsals will be scheduled 7:00pm – 10:30pm.

·         Two all day rehearsal weekends will be scheduled – Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May and Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June.

·         One all day Sunday rehearsal will be scheduled on Sunday 21 July.

·         Sitz Probe rehearsal is Thursday 25 July.

·         Cast will be required to attend various marketing events during the rehearsal period – dates of these will be provided at the first rehearsal.

·         Cast are required to attend all rehearsals they are scheduled for.

·         Rehearsals will be held at PLOS locations within Frankston.

 Production Week and Show Dates

·         Production week commences Sunday 28 July and cast will be expected to be involved in bump in as rostered by Stage Management.

·         Technical Rehearsal – Tuesday 30 July.

·         Dress Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday 31 July and Thursday 1 August.

·         Performance Dates and Performance Times – Friday 2 August (7:30pm), Saturday 3 August (7:30pm), Sunday 4 August (1:30pm), Tuesday 6 August (7:30pm), Wednesday 7 August (7:30pm), Thursday 8 August (7:30pm), Friday 9 August (7:30pm) and Saturday 10 August (1:30pm). 

·         Please note, pending ticket sales, and additional performance may be added on Monday 5 August (7:30pm)

·         Cast call time is two hours prior to curtain up.

 Membership and Performance Fee

·         All those cast in Les Miserables will be required to become a financial member of PLOS Musical Productions and will be required to pay a performance fee.

 Audition Location and Bookings

·         All auditions will be held at The PLOS Shed – corner Overport and Somerset Roads, Frankston.

·      Audition bookings open online www.plos.asn.au – Friday 1 February @ 10:00am. 

 Character Descriptions

Jean Valjean

A poor peasant who rises to affluence, he has great natural nobility and dignity. A powerful figure, ideally a large man with a character of operatic size and passion.  The voice needs to have a large sound of extraordinary textual clarity.

Vocal Range – Low A – High B (high lyric baritone or tenor with strong low notes)

Stage Age – Ages from 20’s – 60’s throughout the production

Javert

Policeman who relentlessly hunts Valjean. Ideally an imposing man. The ultimate “law and order” figure. Obsessed, to the point of irrationality, with a rigid and merciless moral code. He too is a character of operatic size and passion. Both belt voice and classical can suit this role but must have a darker quality than Jean Valjean.

Vocal Range – Low F – G

Stage Age – Ages from 30’s – 60’s throughout the production

Fantine

Poor factory girl, struggling to support her fatherless daughter. Later is a pauper, a prostitute, a consumptive and a ghost. Earthy and poignant. Although is finally defeated by circumstances she should appear to be strong and a survivor. She puts up a valiant fight against the horrors of her life.  

Vocal Range – G Flat (below middle C) – Belt up to C, sings to E Flat

Stage Age – 20 – 30

Thenardier

Strong comic character role. A crooked innkeeper, later a petty, amoral thief. Greedy, irreverent, selfish, boorish, vulgar.

Vocal Range – C (below middle C) to G Sharp (above middle C)

Stage Age – 30’s – 50’s

Madame Thenardier

Tough, sharp, coarse, boorish, vulgar. Strong character comedienne role.  

Vocal Range – G Sharp (below middle C) to D (strong belt required)

Stage Age – 30’s – 50’s

Marius

A member of the revolutionary student movement.  Attractive and romantic but in a sensitive, 19th century “Byronic” way.

Vocal Range – Low A to High A Flat

Stage Age – Early 20’s

Enjolras

The student leader. He is handsome, brave and daring, although youthful. He combines his revolutionary ideals with a strong charismatic leadership. He is a charismatic political figure.

Vocal Range – A to G (above middle C). High Baritone to G Sharp/ B Flat.

Stage Age – Early 20’s

Eponine

Daughter of the Thenardiers but in no way behaves like them.  Fired by an unrequited love for Marius. Small, gamine, waif-like. Hasn’t learned to disguise her emotions; wears her heart on her sleeve.

Vocal Range – F Sharp (below middle C) to E. Must have belt to C.

Stage Age – Early 20’s

Cosette

Fantine’s daughter (first seen as and played by a child) delicate, elegant, vulnerable and beautiful. Falls in love with and later marries Marius.

Vocal Range – B Flat (below middle C) to High C (2 octaves above middle C).

Stage Age – Early 20’s

Student Ensemble:

Combeferre

Member of the ABC Society. The philosopher and believer in peace. He is gentle, humane, strong and brave.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Feuilly

Member of the ABC Society. A worker, self-educated and an orphan. A believer in “nationality.” Affectionate, warm and poetic.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Courfeyrac

Member of the ABC Society. A student. He is youthful, passionate and fearless.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Joly

Member of the ABC Society. A medical student. Eccentric and light-hearted, although sometimes morbid.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Grantaire

Member of the ABC Society. A student. He is the opposite of Enjolras. He believes in nothing. Although he admires Enjolras, he loves to mock him. Witty and drunken he also keeps a watchful eye on Gavroche. 

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Jean Prouvaire

Member of the ABC Society. A student of social studies. He is kind, softly spoken and at the right moments strong and masterful. He is also a poet.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Lesgles

Member of the ABC Society. A student. Cheerful, laughing at life but unlucky. His close friend is Joly.

Vocal Range – Low A to F.

Stage Age: 18 – 22.

Young Cosette

The child of Fantine. She is the ward of the Thenardiers forced into child labor. She is a trembling little creature, underfed, beaten by Madame Thenardier and bullied by Eponine.

Vocal Range – A (below middle C) to C.

Stage Age: 7 – 12.

Height Requirement – No taller than 150 centimetres.

Young Eponine

The pampered daughter of the Thenardiers. She taunts and bullies Young Cosette.

Vocal Range – Non Singing.

Stage Age: 7 – 12.

Height Requirement – No taller than 150 centimetres.

Gavroche

Gavroche is the Thenardier’s son. He is left to fend for himself and lives by his wits in the streets of Paris. His “arch enemy” is Javert. He is brave and witty.

Vocal Range – B (below middle C) to G.

Stage Age: 9 – 12.

Height Requirement – No taller than 155 centimetres.

Female Ensemble

12 women to be cast in various featured roles – Factory Workers, Beggar Women, Innkeeper’s Wife, Whores, Citizens, Wedding Guests.

Vocal Range – Various.

Stage Age – 16 – 60.

Male Ensemble

12 men to be cast in various featured roles – Thenardiers Gang, Foreman, Bamatabois, Pimp, Chain Gang, Farmers, Constables, Citizens, Wedding Guests.

Vocal Range – Various.

Stage Age – 16 – 60.