PEMCo Audition Info Sheet

PEMCo.
’s Kiss Me, Kate

Audition & Show Information
When and where are auditions?

Monday and Tuesday October 8 & 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pasquerilla East Hall main lobby
When and where are callbacks?

Wednesday October 10 at 7:00 p.m. on the Washington Hall Stage
What do I have to do for auditions?

Auditions will include a dance routine, a cold reading, and a selection from a song. The
choreographers will teach everyone the dance routine in the beginning of the evening, so you
need not prepare a dance yourself. The cold reading is an unprepared selection from the show,
which we will provide in your audition. After taking a moment to look over the scene, you will
then act it out. For the song selection, you may choose one of the three selections to sing in your
audition. Choose the song that best demonstrates your vocal abilities. Though you will only be
asked to sing one song for the preliminary auditions, if you are called back, you may be asked to
sing any of the three songs.
What should I bring to auditions?

Just bring yourself, your audition form, which will be available online (www.nd.edu/~pemusic),
a photo of yourself so that we can remember you. It’s probably a good idea to bring some
homework.
What should I wear?

Wear what you feel comfortable in. Remember that you will need something that you can move
in for the dance part of the audition. If you would like to bring a change of clothes for the acting
and singing portions, you may, although you do not have to.
Do I have to come both Monday and Tuesday night?

No. We only need to see you one night of preliminary auditions. Choose the one that fits
better into your schedule.
How long will auditions take?

This depends on how many people show up and when you are called to audition. Some years
auditions have gone until around 11:30, but we hope that it will not be that long. Callbacks
traditionally run a bit longer. I think your safest bet will be to come on a night that you have no
other commitments and bring your homework. But, once you are done with your audition, you
are free to leave, so, you may get out a lot earlier than you expect.
When are the rehearsals for the show?

Rehearsals generally run everyday from Sunday to Thursday evenings from 7-11. Your role in
the show will determine how many rehearsals you are called to. Generally, in the beginning, non-
leads will rehearse 1 or 2 times a week. Once we begin run-throughs rehearsals will become
more frequent.
What are the show dates?

Friday and Saturday, February 8-9 & 15-16
The second weekend of shows is during Junior Parents Weekend
Pasquerilla East Musical Company – www.nd.edu/~pemusic – [email protected]

Character List
Fred Graham- Director, producer, and lead actor (Petruchio) his musical version of the Taming of the
Shrew, as well as ex-husband of Lilli Vanessi. He is a strong actor and singer (baritone) with some
dancing required.
Lilli Vanessi- Lead Actress in the Taming of the Shrew (Kate), the ex-wife of Fred, and now engaged to
General Howell. She is a very strong singer (soprano) and actress, with some dancing required.
Lois Lane- Former cabaret dancer, making her debut in Taming of the Shrew as Bianca. She is a very
flirty character, having relationships with both Fred and Bill simultaneously in the show. Strong acting,
singing (alto), and dancing are required.
Bill Calhoun- Also a Former cabaret dancer, making his debut in Taming of the Shrew, as Lucentio. He is
a chronic gambler a baritone voice and dancing ability.
Two Men- Intimidating gangsters who also happen to be well-versed in the classics. They require
comedic actors and sing the song, “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.”
General Harrison Howell- Successful army general, who is engaged to Lilli. He is a comedic baritone
who sings a duet with Lilli, and does not appear in the Taming of the Shrew.
Hattie- Lilli’s personal assistant. This belt singer opens the show with her solo in “Another Opnin’,
Another Show”
Paul- Fred’s personal assistant. Fred, a baritone, is the soloist and featured dancer in the highly energetic
number “Too Darn Hot!”
Hortensio/Gremio- These two tenors battle both Bill (as Lucentio) and each other for the love of Lois (as
Bianca) in the dance number “Tom, Dick, or Harry.”
Other roles include: Pops the doorman, Ralph the stage manager, Harry (Baptista) an actor, 3 stagehands,
a wardrobe lady, a women’s quartet for “Bianca,” and a large ensemble of dancers and singers for
numbers like “Another Opnin’” and “Too Darn Hot!”
Synopsis
Kiss Me Kate tells the tale of two once-married, now-divorced musical theater actors, Fred
Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who are performing opposite each other in a Broadway-bound musical version
of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, in the roles of Petruchio and Katharina. Already on
poor terms, the pair begin an all-out emotional war midperformance when Lilli discovers Fred sent his
latest fling, Lois Lane, Lilli's wedding bouquet. (Lois plays the role of Bianca in "The Taming of the
Shrew".) The only thing keeping the show together are threats from a pair of gangsters: Lois's steady
boyfriend (and the show's Lucentio), Bill Calhoun, loves to gamble, and to avoid the responsibility of
paying his debts, has signed Fred's name to an I.O.U. Gangsters have come to collect on it, and this show
will provide the money that Fred needs to avoid getting his fingers broken. Fred, in turn, uses the
gangsters to prevent the furious Lilli from walking out on the show after she discovers that the wedding
bouquet was really meant for Lois and throws a tantrum, prompting Fred to literally spank her onstage. In
classic musical comedy fashion, madness ensues.
-taken from www.stageagent.com
Pasquerilla East Musical Company – www.nd.edu/~pemusic – [email protected]

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PEMCo.

’s Kiss Me, Kate

When and where are auditions?

When and where are callbacks?

What do I have to do for auditions?

What should I bring to auditions?

What should I wear?

Do I have to come both Monday and Tuesday night?

How long will auditions take?

When are the rehearsals for the show?

What are the show dates?

Pasquerilla East Musical Company – www.nd.edu/~pemusic – [email protected]

Pasquerilla East Musical Company – www.nd.edu/~pemusic – [email protected]

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