The Friends of the Opera House are pleased to announce auditions for actors and technicians for their upcoming production of
The Lion King Jr. core group
See the casting details below.
The auditions will be by video submission.
*We are accepting submissions from April 1st - April 15th
Please fill out the online audition form.
audition form (click here)!
Note: please be sure to fill out the camp registation form along with your audition form. We suggest that you register for both weeks of camp if you are planning to be in our core group. Although attending both weeks, the core group will only need to pay for one week of camp.
Auditioners should sing roughly 16 measures (30 to 45 seconds) of a Broadway or Disney song that shows off their style and range.
Please state your name clearly and the roles for which you are auditioning.
The auditioner will also need to present to us one of the following
(pick one) for Roughly 30 seconds:
-
Tell us about your favorite vacation
-
Tell us about your favorite teacher or pet
-
Tell us your favorite joke
-
Tell us about your favorite superhero or cartoon character and why
Please note that we are looking to see your personality and stage presence. When telling your story please let your personality shine through.
When submitting your remote audition video, please fill out the audition form and then upload your audition to Youtube as "unlisted" and email the link to
auditions@elginoperahouse.com
Please be sure to include the name of the auditioner in your email.
Here is a quick tutorial showing you how to upload your audition to Youtube: https://youtu.be/qlJw2qCiSOY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lion King Jr. Group Info:
We are auditioning young actors ages 8 to 18 who want to participate in the CORE GROUP of actors for both weeks of Lion King Jr. performances.
Performance dates & times:
Week One:
July 26th 2:30 & 5 PM,
July 27th 12:30 & 3:00 PM.
Week Two:
Aug. 2nd 2:30 & 5 PM,
Aug. 3rd 12:30 & 3:00 PM.
The core group will learn ALL the music, and choreography and take the leading and principal roles. They will also help theater camp participants learn their parts during Theater camp.
You will need to register for theater camp, preferably both weeks (Core Group will only need to pay for one week).
The core group will rehearse mostly during the month of May, June, and July. June and July rehearsals will occur mostly during the daytime hours.
Directed by Terry Hale and Abby Hale Grigg
Choreography by Abby Hale Grigg
Music Direction by Kaylie Davis, Trevor Winder
Note: If you do not want to commit to the rigors of the core group you can still participate in Lion King Jr at theater camp as an ensemble member for your week of camp. No auditions are required for actors who are only participating as a camper.
Please contact us with questions about camp at camps@elginoperahouse.com
Register for theater camp
Character Breakdown
Young Simba
The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny. Cast a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Rafiki
A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong singing voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Young Nala
A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. While Young Nala does sing a little, look for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mufasa
The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the king.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Scar
The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humor. As his solos can be spoken, opt for an actor over a singer.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Zazu
The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Any
Shenzi
One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Gender: Female
Banzai
A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed, consider audit
Gender: Male
Ed
The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Any
Sarabi
A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen.
Gender: Female
Sarafina
A featured lioness and Nala's mother. She has one short, spoken line, so consider giving this part to an actor who is putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness.
Gender: Female
Simba
Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so cast a more mature actor. Be sure that the change in actors is clear: Try having Young Simba hand-off a costume piece, such as a medallion, to older Simba. Also be sure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Nala
Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar, so cast a more mature actress to play the character beginning in Scene 10, As with older Simba and Young Simba, ensure that this switch in actors performing a single role is clear. Direct the actors to share a mask or costume piece that distinctly represents Nala, as well as a movement vocabulary.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Timon
An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: B3
Pumbaa
A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast a boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Lionesses
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." These actors should be strong singers, as the material can be challenging. Depending on the complexity of your choreography, particuarly for "The Lioness Hunt," strong dancers may be desirable as well.
Gender: Female
Hyenas
Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared." Cast actors who are able to sing the background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters. Your hyenas can double as animals of the Pridelands or lionesses.
Gender: Any
Ensemble
The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures.