BISHOPSHALT OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRESENT

1. BISHOPSHALT OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRESENT 5th-7th December 2013

2. Plot Overview • Seriously?! • Its the 1950’s at Rydell High School USA • Rock and Roll music has been embraced by these new types of young people called ‘Teenagers’ –They are in their last year, but all they want to do is hang out, have fun, and get with the opposite sex – sound familiar? • The whole story is centred around the relationship between Danny, leader of the T-birds gang, and new girl Sandy, adopted member of the Pink Ladies. • Jonesy Note –American accents people! Its going to be fun! Ensemble style as always –and there are lots of characters….

3. Main Characters • Danny– The leader of the T-Birds –”well-built, nice looking, with an air of cool easy-going charm. Strong and confident. • Needs to be a very strong all rounder : Few solo numbers/duets/Lead –Wins the dance competition! • Sandy–Danny’s love interest. Sweet, Wholesome, naïve, cute, well-mannered –until the end! Another great all rounder needed–loads of numbers solo and duet.

4. The Pink Ladies • Rizzo– Leader of the Pink Ladies. Tough, sarcastic, outspoken, but vulnerable. Italian background. Cracking actor & 2 big numbers as singer • Frenchy – A dreamer. Good-natured and dumb. Source of comedy in the show. Great actor required. Sings back-up in songs. • Marty –The beauty of the Pink Ladies. Tries to be sophisticated but a little naïve. sings solo ‘Freddie my Love’ • Jan – Loud and pushy. Sings duet parts on ‘Mooning’

5. The T-Birds Kenickie – 2nd in command of T-Birds. Tough looking, tattooed, looks much older than his age. – Lead singer of ‘Grease Lightening’ and back up on several others. Doody – Youngest of the guys. Small, guitar-playing and boyish. Sings ‘Those magic changes’ and duets on 3 others. Roger – Stocky, mischievous, bit of a clown. Sings ‘Mooning’ and duets on ‘Party Queen’ (not in the movie!) Sonny – Braggart and wheeler-dealer who THINKS he is a real lady killer. –Sings back-up.

6. Main Characters • Patty – Typical cheerleader. Catty, but in an All American girl kind of way –Quinn in Glee! Sings duet and back-up. • Johnny Casino – A greaser student who leads the band –bit of an idol. Sings lead on ‘Hand-Jive.’ • Eugene – The class geek –high-pitched voice, smug, pompous and gullible –good acting part • Teen Angel – A classic rock and roll singer who appears to Frenchy in a dream –sings ‘Beauty school drop-out’ • Cha-Cha –Loud mouthed and homely. Takes pride in being ‘the best dancer at St. Bernadette’s” • Vince Fontaine – Fast talking DJ and veteran Greaser. Slick! Acting part. • Miss Lynch – the strict English Teacher –authority figure. Good acting part

7. Cast • Cast numbers are debatable – all involved throughout whole show • We are an ensemble company -Everyone is as important as the rest! • As Rosie says: • ‘There are no stars on stage, only in the sky’ • Despite your perceptions on your own ability, every member of the cast MUST be willing to sing, and dance –at the same time! • You may not be the best- but enthusiasm, dedication and effort will be what is required. IT DOESN’T MATTER ON YOUR AGE – BEING RIGHT FOR THE PART IS ALL THAT IS NECESSARY (all years had lead parts last year + new comers to the school) • At least twice a week after school rehearsals for whole cast (Monday’s and Thursday’s) and leads required 4 out of 5 • First 2 weeks at least–every lunch time -rehearsal for all • –– all cast members will be required for four out of five nights as the show looms. • So a huge commitment, but ultimately it will be worth being a member of this award winning society! Why?????

8. Audition – First Friday back 6th Sep. 3.30 -6pm –main hall First whole cast rehearsal Monday 9th till 5.15 – • ALL: Dance – everyone will be expected to learn and perform ‘Hand-Jive’ dance in groups • Let’s watch it from the shared-area! Remember dancers, your face needs to be as alive as your body! • Singing Chorus/Ensemble: ‘We go together’ –first verse –singing as a chorus –must be learnt! let’s have a listen.... • Track 22: 0:08 – 0:25 • There will be sessions on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th September to practice with the teachers • Shared area – BODS-Grease-auditions • This will also be on the School website (under Performing Arts / BODS) and on Moodle • Any named part will have to do a separate audition....

9. Acting for all –better if you learnt it! • Duologue • Perform the lines in the style of the character you are going for.... Look at the character description-and play it that way!

10. Audition –Singing - THIS MUST BE LEARNT • Let’s have a listen…… • Girls Singing : For Rizzo or ……..: • First verse of ‘There are worse things I could do’ – • (Backing track in shared area BODS file) Track 20. There are worse things I could do Timing: 1.21-1.56 • For Sandy – • Track 8. ‘Hopelessly devoted to you’   2:16 – 2:52 • Boys -For any lead male part   -If your voice is higher  • 14. ‘Mooning’     -1st verse                                           0:00 – 0:25 • ‘Beauty school drop-out’ –if your voice is lower • Track 2. 1st verse.                                                 0:55 – 1.20

11. Any other business? • Q & A time • That’s it! Get downloading the song back-up’s /dance routines and get rehearsing! • Many versions on Youtube –some better than others (many are cheesey!) • Please see me if you have any other questions