Auditions

AUDITION NOTICE FOR:

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Audition Sign-up

AUDITIONS on the evenings of
Tuesday, Feb. 9 and Wednesday, Feb. 10, by private appointment, with a time allotted specifically for you.

Eight Live Performance Dates: April 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30 and May 2.

This show will be performed live and with an audience. All social distancing protocol and precautions will be in place and in compliance with City of St. Peters and County of Saint Charles guidelines.

Directed by Adam Grun
Musical Direction by Derick Featherston
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, & Willie Gilbert
Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser

SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME: Audition Sign-up


DOWNLOAD AUDITION FORM
Fill out and email by January 31.

After you have signed-up and have an audition date and time, then please EMAIL your audition form(required) along with your resume/headshot(not required) to the show’s Stage Manager at howsucceeddra@gmail.com no later than JANUARY 31. 

We will be observing all social distancing protocol and taking all precautions for auditions, rehearsals and the run of the show.   You will be expected to wear a mask upon entry to the building and will have your temperature taken in a touchless manner when you arrive.  Please have your sheet music prepared so that it lays flat with no page turns needed by the accompanist.  If your sheet music is in a book, please make copies of only the pages needed and tape it left to right so that no page turn is required. 

Bring sheet music and be prepared to sing 16-32 bars of a traditional Broadway style sho tune/upbeat song. (No pop music, No a Capella, No songs from the show, itself.) You will also be expected to read from the script, possibly. Sides will be provided when you arrive and posted for download in late January. No monologues. All roles are available and open.

All social distancing protocol will be adhered. Auditions are by appointment. You will receive an email with specific instructions regarding mask requirements, distancing, and procedures for your audition. 

Auditions are by appointment on Feb. 9 & 10. Callbacks on Feb. 11 are by invitations only. Make sure your sheet music is flat and out of your book so that the accompanist can minimize page turns. If your music is in a book, please make copies of the needed pages so that the accompanist can lay it flat and not need to wrestle with a book that wants to snap shut. These are important and expected courtesies when auditioning.

CALLBACKS, by invite only, on Thursday, Feb. 11 at assigned times beginning at 6:30pm for an assigned song and sides. Actors called-back maybe requested to attend Dance Call with possible added sides for selected scenes thereafter.

Audition Sign-up

After you have signed-up and have an audition date and time, then please EMAIL your audition form(required) along with your resume/headshot(not required) to the show’s Stage Manager at howsucceeddra@gmail.com no later than JANUARY 31. DOWNLOAD AUDITION FORM

Auditions are held at:
St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre
One St. Peters Centre Blvd.
St. Peters, MO 63376
Our beautiful Performing Arts Theatre is in the City Hall building, Western(far right) most building at the opposite end from the Rec-Plex.

Synopsis:
When a restless, creative, and ambitious window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch happens upon a book entitled ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder. With the book’s instructions and a dose of his own cleverness, Finch starts by landing a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company, before quickly gaining promotions and outsmarting his rival, Frump – who also happens to be the boss’s nephew– until finally reaching the very top of the organization. From the very beginning, Finch has had the love and support of Rosemary, a marriage-minded secretary who recognizes Finch’s potential, and finds his innocent demeanour endearing. But in his single-minded pursuit of the top job, Finch is in danger of discounting Rosemary’s love. In a moment of crisis, Finch’s manual to success can no longer help him: he must rely on his own wits, and ultimately, his heart, to save the day. The score by Frank Loesser features such classics as the surreal and funny “Coffee Break”, the rousing “Brotherhood of Man”, and the melodious tongue-in-cheek ballad, “I Believe In You”, while the immensely clever book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1962 for Best Drama.

Characters:

J. PIERREPONT (Ponty) FINCH – male baritone/tenor 20 – 30 lead. Finch facilitates his own meteoric rise from window washer to chairman of the World Wide Wicket Company by following the rules he reads in an informative little book. With quite an opportunistic, self-centered personality, the role requires an actor with natural charisma and charm to keep the audience on his side.

ROSEMARY – female mezzo 20 – 30 lead. A secretary who is far more interested in finding a man to marry than advancing her career. After meeting Ponty, she immediately sets her sights on becoming Mrs. Finch. For the character of Rosemary to really work she needs to be played more playful, than serious.

J.B. BIGGLEY – male baritone 50 – 70 supporting lead. President of the World Wide Wicket Company. Underneath his ruthless exterior he is a college lad at heart with a secret passion for knitting. Hedy La Rue’s love interest, although he is already married.

BUD FRUMP – male baritone 20 – 30 supporting lead. The boss’s nephew and Finch’s nemesis. An arrogant, obnoxious young man who makes numerous attempts to advance his career through devious schemes and by using his family connections. A very funny part, the role requires an actor who’s not afraid to exploit his inner nerd.

HEDY LA RUE – female mezzo 21 – 35 supporting lead. Attractive, head-turning ex-night-club cigarette girl who gets a job at the company because of Biggley’s personal interest in her. She may appear to be dim-witted, but she knows how to use her looks and personality to get what she wants.

MISS SMITH (SMITTY) – female mezzo 25 – 45 supporting. A cynical, single working-woman with a dry sense of humor. She’s a good secretary who’s also after a man, but perhaps for more short-term rewards than her best friend Rosemary.

MISS JONES – female soprano 40 – 70 supporting. J.B. Biggley’s secretary who enjoys the respect her position and mature years command. She can be abrupt and tough, but is kind-hearted and good to those who are good to her.

BRATT – male baritone 30 – 50 cameo. The Personnel Manager, adept in the main skill required for holding his job – agreeing with the boss.

MR TWIMBLE – male baritone 50 – 70 supporting. A fussy, old-fashioned, loyal company man with 25 years’ service spent climbing from mail-room worker to head of the mail-room. Believes his longevity with the company is due to his lack of ambition and his knack at staying unnoticed.

GATCH – A sleazy, almost-successful executive. Finch furthers his career by taking advantage of Gatch’s penchant for the ladies.

MISS KRUMHOLTZ – female mezzo 25 – 65 cameo. A secretary of Mr. Gatch, then J. Pierrepont Finch.OVINGTON – male spoken 30 – 65 cameo. Head of the advertising department until he is fired by Biggley for being a “Chipmunk.”

MR WOMPER – male baritone 55 – 70 cameo. Company Chairman with a similar past to Finch.

EXECUTIVES/SECRETARIES-(MULTIPLE ROLES AVAILABLE) A variety of vocal parts, ages, etc. who make up the ensemble of the show.