[e-drive][AUDITION: TORONTO]

[Patricia Joyce]

~~~~~~~~~~ e-drive ~~~~~~~~~~

Audition Call
Adults and Teens
(Equity and Non-Equity Artists are invited apply.)

JBJ Productions is holding auditions to cast the musical The Secret Garden
for a full benefit run in support of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
to open at The Jane Mallet Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre, November 15, 2002
and run for ten (10) shows over two weeks.  Interested performers are
invited to send a resume and recent photograph to:

The Secret Garden Auditions
34 Closs Square
Aurora, ON   L4G 5H4

OR via email to:
resumes at secret-garden.ca

Selected candidates will be contacted by telephone to book an audition.

The Secret Garden Cast List:
Lily Craven, Early 20's, Lyric Soprano
Archibald Craven, Early 40's, Tenor
Dr. Neville Craven, Late 30's, Baritone
Mrs. Medlock, Mid 50's, Alto
Martha, Late Teens, Mezzo-Soprano
Dickon, Mid Teens, Tenor
Ben, Mid 50's, Baritone

The Dreamers:
Rose Lennox, Early 30's, Mezzo- Soprano
Albert Lennox, Late 30's, Broadway Baritone
Fakir, Mid 40's, Tenor
Ayah, Mid 30's. Mezzo / Alto

(Vocal Range:  Various)
Lt Wright, Mid 40's
Lt Shaw, Late 20's
Major Holmes, Mid 40's
Claire Holmes, Mid 40's
Alice Mid 20's

Doubled Roles (with Dreamers - non singing):
Mr. Shelley, Mid 40's
Mrs. Shelley, Mid 40's
Mrs. Winthrop, Mid 30's
Maid, Early 20's
Nurse, Mid 30's

A detailed Cast Requirements list with character descriptions is attached.

The show will be cast largely from volunteers.  Rehearsals will be held
evenings (Mondays, Wednesdays - with lead rehearsals  on Tuesdays and
Thursdays) and Sunday afternoons starting in early September.

Auditions will be held the last two weeks of April at The Randolph Academy
of Performing Arts.  Candidates will be asked to present a two minute
monologue, to sing a song of their own choosing, and to perform a simple
movement/dance audition.

All senior artistic, corporate and design staff are donating their time to
this project.  Many thanks to the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
for their kind donation of audition space.

The roles of Colin and Mary are being handled under a separate call.  For
more information about the show, please surf to www.secret-garden.ca.  All
minors will require parent or guardian approval to participate.  JBJ
Productions is anticipating retaining Equity members for this engagement
under the Guest Artist policy.

Cast Requirements and Descriptions

Lily Craven:  Mother of Colin, wife of Archibald, aunt to Mary, Lily passed
away just after giving birth to Colin.  Fun-loving, vivacious and full of
love before she died, her spirit still lives vividly in the minds and the
hearts of those she left behind.     Character Age:  Early 20's     Vocal
Range:  Lyric Soprano     Movement: Waltz     Accent: High British

Archibald Craven:  Haunted by the memories of Lily, his late wife,
Archibald Craven, himself like a ghost, walks the earth incessantly
searching for any sign of her, in complete denial of her death and as such
totalling ignoring responsibilities that should be his alone.  He is shaken
by the arrival of his niece, Mary, who reminds everyone so much of Lily and
begins a journey that sees him learning to accept his loss, move on, and
live life fully again.   Character Age:  Early 40's   Vocal
Range:  Tenor   Movement:  Waltz   Accent:   High British

Dr. Neville Craven:  As devastated as his brother Archibald over the death
of Lily Craven (his secret love) Neville takes responsibility for
maintaining the ancestral house and lands in his bereaved brother's
stead.  He appears the archetypal Victorian hero - young, intelligent, good
looking and capable - but unfortunately, Neville makes some very serious
errors in judgement.  Only after his nephew Colin comes well does Neville
see the folly of his behaviour.  Character Age:  Late 30's  Vocal
Range:  Baritone   Accent:   High British

Martha:  Brimming with life and enthusiasm, Martha has just been promoted
from Misselthwaite's scullery to be maid to young Mary. She possesses an
earthy common sense and a wisdom well beyond her years; it is her
compassion and advice that help set Mary straight.     Character Age:  Late
Teens     Vocal Range:  Mezzo-Soprano    Accent:  Yorkshire

Dickon:  Dickon is Martha's brother, a local Yorkshire lad with no formal
education.  Something of a loner, he spends hours by himself out on the
moor but he is clearly an exceptional, mystical youth.  It is he who
introduces Mary to the wonder of the natural life surrounding Misselthwaite
Manor, including one very clever robin and it is he who inspires and then
helps Mary to nurse Lily's garden back to life.     Character
Age:  14-15     Vocal Range:  Tenor    Accent:  Yorkshire

Ben:  Gruff and crotchety, Ben, Head Gardener at Misselthwaite Manor, seems
an unlikely friend to a small girl.  But Mary's semblance in figure and in
spirit to Lily moves Ben to risk everything to help her.  Character
Age:  Mid 50's  Vocal Range:  Baritone  Accent:  Yorkshire

Mrs. Medlock:  Dour and stern, Mrs. Medlock runs an efficient house for
Archibald Craven but despite her common sense she neither sees the world
how it truly is nor offers compassion to those in need.   Character
Age:  Mid 50's   Vocal Range:  Alto  Accent:  British

Rose Lennox (Dreamer):  Mother of Mary and sister to Lily, Rose appears
covetous, stubborn, and self-centred; she ignores all of her
responsibilities including her daughter, her husband and the very real
threat of cholera that eventually kills her and most of her household in
India.  Her spirit, however, does not rest until Mary is once again, safely
on her way.  Character Age:  Early 30's   Vocal Range:  Mezzo     Accent:
High British

Supporting Cast (Dreamers and Doubled Roles)  These are average British
people who serve the British Empire in India. They are those present in
Mary's home on the night or the morning after everyone she knew and loved -
her whole world - died.  As such, they inhabit her unconsciousness and
haunt her bereaved mind.  Throughout the show, these "Dreamers" help to
recall actual events, haunt as ghosts, become the embodiment of a little
girl's bereavement and fear, and actively help Mary uncover secrets in the
Manor.  Players may also be called upon to cover the non-singing doubled
roles.  Accent: British.

Captain Albert Lennox (Dreamer):  Husband to Rose and father of Mary,
Albert is a loving but remote father.  He dies of the cholera in India but
remains as a benevolent figure in the mind and heart of his
daughter.    Character Age:  Late 30's    Vocal Range:  Broadway Baritone

Fakir (Dreamer):  The Fakir was a mysterious man who used charms and magic
to help him run the Lennox household in India.  Mary holds onto his memory
long after his death as a person of wisdom and guidance.   Character
Age:  Mid 40's  Vocal Range:  Tenor

Ayah (Dreamer): Nursemaid to Mary in India, her Ayah was compassionate and
caring woman.     Character Age:  Mid 30's    Vocal Range:  Mezzo / Alto

Mrs. Winthrop: Double cast with a "Dreamer" role.  Mrs. Winthrop runs a
girl's "school" to which Neville Craven plans to send Mary.  Winthrop is a
strict authoritarian who is not afraid to be cruel to achieve
obedience.     Character Age:  Mid 30's.

Other Dreamers:  Lt Wright, Lt Shaw, Major Holmes, Claire Holmes, Alice

Doubled Roles:  Mr. Shelley, Mrs. Shelley, Nurse, Maid