Schenectady Light Opera Company
Audition Announcement
Production: Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”
Directed By: Ross Snyder and Thomas Bambury
Music Director: Andrea Merrill
Produced By: Richard Lenehan
Audition Dates: June 22nd & 24th, 7:00 PM (Callbacks Friday June 25th 7:00 PM)
Performance Dates: October 15th thru 17th, 21st thru 24th
Audition Location:
Auditions will be held at Schenectady Light Opera Company’s new home at 427 Franklin Street, in Downtown Schenectady (The former St John the Baptist Catholic Church). See Directions Below
Audition Information:
- Check-in begins at 6:30 PM. Please plan to arrive by 6:45
- Prepare 20 bars of music to sing at the audition. We prefer you select music from any Gilbert & Sullivan show; however music from any Broadway musical is acceptable.
- We will provide the audition pianist; you must bring your own sheet music
- You must be 16 years old by 9/1/2010 to audition for this production
- There will be no choreography auditions for this production
Please go to the Schenectady Light Opera Company web page for additional information: www.sloctheater.org or call 1-877-350-7378, option 3 and leave a message
Available Roles:
Role Name |
Role Type |
Voice Part |
Description |
Frederick |
Lead |
Tenor |
Frederick is 21 years old, manly, genuine and innocent. He has great verve and energy, is out-going, unaffected and honest. The role requires an excellent upper vocal range |
Mabel |
Lead |
Soprano |
Mabel is 17 – 21 years old and very much a young woman of the 19th century. She is energetic, expressive, innocent and unassuming. The role requires an excellent upper range and the ability to perform the coloratura sections on several musical numbers. |
Pirate King |
Lead |
Baritone |
Age range can vary (30ish to 50) The Pirate King is very kingly and manly with a large ego. Role requires a big baritone voice |
Major General Stanley |
Lead |
Baritone |
Age (40 to 60), Role requires a comedic touch and the ability to sing the quickly paced patter song. Not terribly demanding vocally |
Ruth |
Lead |
Alto |
Age (40 – 60). A doting English Nanny type of character. Vocal selections require a strong low range for an alto. |
Major General’s Daughters |
Supporting |
Soprano |
Three daughters, Edit, Kate and Isabel. Ages (late teens to twenties). The three daughters always appear together and often sing as a trio with solo’s included. We may choose to augment them with 2 or 3 additional wards, A fun chorus part. |
Pirate Chorus |
Chorus |
Tenor/Baritone |
Age (very flexible). Typical Pirates. Allot of good chorus numbers. Need some high tenor voices for some of the chorus. We would like to cast about 10 pirates. A fun chorus part. |
| Police Chorus | Chorus | Baritone Base | Age (flexible) Stodgy, ineffectual policeman. Low voices needed (especially for the Sergeant).A fun chorus part. |
Note from the Directors: This production is scheduled to be the first show at our new theater in Schenectady. So, you have the opportunity to participate in this historic event. There are no small or cameo roles in this show. Everyone cast will be on stage and singing in multiple numbers. Gilbert and Sullivan choruses are very important and play a large part in the show. If you’ve never been in a Gilbert and Sullivan chorus, you are in for a treat. The show in general is silly and fun with extraordinary music. No dancing is required, but there will be allot of staged movement. We will likely do English accents but the main focus is on the quality of the singing, and “Diction” so don’t worry if your accent is great. We are looking for performers with strong singing voices, great diction, and that are energetic and animated on stage.
Schenectady Light Opera
427 Franklin Street
Schenectady, NY
1-877-350-7378