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WEST FARGO SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE 2015
Book by
Bob
Music by
Fred Ebb and
Fosse
John Kader
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Jonathan Larson
Director: Adam Pankow
Choreographer: Chelsea Pace
Music Director: Karen Hamilton
Orchestra Director: Jason Carlson Costume Design: Kelsy Hewitt
Lighting/Sound Design: Kerry Horst Tech Director: Tim Italiano
NO DAY BUT TODAY!
Winner! 4 Tony® Awards including Best Musical 1996
Winner! Pulitzer Prize for Drama
An inspirational musical about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. RENT is a pop
cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences.
Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished
young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the
shadow of HIV/AIDS at the end of the 20th century. How these young bohemians negotiate their
dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.
"What makes Rent so wonderful is not its hipness quotient, but its extraordinary
spirit of hopeful defiance and humanity." - The New York Times "Rent is the best show in years, if not decades." – Variety
"A show that lives up to its hype! Rent is theatre at its best: passionate, exhuberant, uplifting, and joyous." Theatremania
RENT is produced through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
1 CAST, CREW, & ORCHESTRA REQUIREMENTS
SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE is open to high school and college-aged performers, technicians and orchestra
musicians and is an experience not exclusive to artists of the West Fargo School District.
ACTING COMPANY:
Cast of 20+ Actor/Singer/Dancers
3 Women, 5 Men, plus ensemble (see breakdown of roles)
TECHNICAL CREW:
A crew of 6-8 individuals will be needed in the areas of Sound, Lights, Stage
Management, Running & Build Crew
ORCHESTRA:
Rock Combo. Orchestration includes: BASS, DRUMS, ACOUSTIC GUITAR,
ELECTRIC GUITAR, KEYBOARD
CAST AUDITIONS
April 20 & 21, 2015 from 6:30-10pm at West Fargo Sheyenne High School (800 40th Avenue East, West
Fargo). The dance call will be from 7:00-8:00pm followed by singing auditions scheduled in small groups.
Callbacks will be held April 23 from 7-10pm. To schedule an audition, please use the online sign up form
posted at www.westfargotheatre.com.
For the audition, prepare a musical theatre or rock music cutting approximately 60-90 seconds in length—
an accompanist will be provided. Please make considerations for style and time period of the audition
selection as appropriate to the show. Likewise, pieces that show ranges of acting and vocal ability are
encouraged and preferred. The audition will also consist of a short dance routine taught by a
choreographer. Time will be given to change into appropriate dance attire.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition time to allow time to fill in the audition form and conflict
calendar. If you have a headshot/small photograph of yourself and/or a resume, please bring this along.
TECH CREW & ORCHESTRA
TECH CREWS: Interested crew members will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with experienced
technical mentors/designers. Scenic and Costume builds and design implementation will occur primarily
during daytime hours on a schedule similar to cast rehearsal schedules. Flexibility will be necessary for
some areas (particularly lighting) which may utilize evening or weekend hours for specific needs.
If interested in being a part of the crew, please email Adam Pankow at [email protected]
ORCHESTRA: Enthusiastic musicians who are eager to keep improving their playing skills over the summer
months are invited to be a part of this dynamic pit orchestra lead by a team of veteran teachers/mentors.
Auditions will be held on April 20 & 21 from 4:30-6:30pm– scheduled by appointment. Alternate times may
be possible, as needed. For more information please contact orchestra director, Jason Carlson, at
[email protected]. To schedule an audition time, please use the online sign up form posted at
www.westfargotheatre.com. Auditions will be held at WF Sheyenne High School in the Band Room.
Please prepare a 30 second piece to perform. There will also be some sight-reading. Experienced musicians
are encouraged to audition on more than one instrument. Percussionists are strongly encouraged to show
their ability on a variety of instruments.
2 REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES
CAST: Vocal rehearsals for featured characters will be held once a week during the month of June
beginning the week of June 8th in preparation for promo performances during the month of June and July.
Regular rehearsals will begin Monday, July 6th and will follow a structured Monday-Thursday from 9am4:30pm schedule for the duration of the regular rehearsal process. Technical rehearsals (beginning July 27th)
will require evening availability. Additionally, cast members are expected to assist with marketing events
and set construction as needed. Rehearsals will be held at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
ORCHESTRA: Rehearsals will begin Monday, July 6th and will typically follow a Monday-Thursday from 68:30pm rehearsal schedule during the duration of the regular rehearsal process. Technical rehearsals
(beginning July 27th) will require additional evening availability. Regular rehearsals will be held at West
Fargo’s Cheney Middle School.
RENT will be performed July 31, August 1, 6, 7 & 8 at 7:30pm and August 2rd at 2:30pm for a total of six
performances. A brief strike will follow the last performance and/or on Sunday, August 10th as needed.
PARTICIPATION FEES
All cast members will be assessed a fee of $250 (which includes a $50 costuming fee) for their participation
in Summer Arts Intensive. The fee also includes a production t-shirt.
Crew and Orchestra members will be asked to pay a $50 fee for their involvement.
Flexible payment plans and tuition scholarships may be available upon request and on a per need basis.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD
The eccentric HIV-positive street drummer. A drag queen with an incredible gift of dance and a magnetic
personality. He becomes Tom's lover. Male, 20-30 yrs old Range: C3 - A4
BENJAMIN COFFIN III
The landlord of Mark and Roger's apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny traded in his
personal morals for power and wealth. Male, 25-35 yrs old Range: Bb2 - F#4
JOANNE JEFFERSON
A public interest lawyer and headstrong lesbian. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a
tumultuous relationship with Maureen. Female, 25-40 yrs old Range: G3 - E5
MARK COHEN
Filmmaker and video artist. Knee deep in his own soul-searching, Mark is the typical young artist. He and
Roger are roommates in the loft. A bit of a nerd. Male, 20-30 yrs old Range: A2 - G4
MAUREEN JOHNSON
An unpredictably zany performance artist. Maureen oozes dramatics and used to live in the loft. She has
recently dumped Mark for Joanne. Female, 20-25 yrs old Range: C4 - F5
3 MIMI MARQUEZ
An HIV-positive club performer with drug addictions. Slender and sickly, she conceals it all at her job. She
lives in the same building as the loft. Female, 18-21 yrs old Range: Eb3 - E5
ROGER DAVIS
A struggling musician and former drug addict. He is reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Roommates with Mark in
the loft and battles with being HIV-positive. Male, 20-25 yrs old Range: F2 - A4
TOM COLLINS
A computer genius and liberal professor. He is a nurturer with a smooth and relaxed disposition. Used to be
a roommate in the loft and is HIV-positive. Male, 25-35 yrs old Range: F#2 - A4
ENSEMBLE
Strong singer-dancers of at least 6 Men, 6 Women to play a variety of roles including:
COPS; VENDORS; SUPPORT GROUP (PAUL, STEVE, GORDON, PAM, ALI, SUE); HOMELESS PEOPLE
(SQUEEGIEMAN, BLANKET PERSON); JUNKIES; PARENTS (MRS. COHEN, MR. AND MRS. JEFFERSON, ROGER'S
MOM, MIMI'S MOTHER); "LEAP OF FAITH" BACKUPS
RENT very frankly and directly tackles topics of sexuality, disease, death, and adult relationships, among
other issues. However at its core, is a powerful and poignant story about the relentless pursuit of love,
finding meaning in the world, and the fulfillment of dreams. All other issues truly take a supporting role
to these universal themes which are brilliantly told through engaging scenes, songs, and movement.
As a disclaimer: RENT contains mature themes and language that may not be suitable for children
under the age of 13.
ABOUT SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE
SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE is led by local arts educators and professionals committed to focused,
individualized training. This Theatre Arts experience is designed for young artists who want to stretch their
personal and creative talents while gaining an understanding of theatre production and performance.
Now in its fifth year, SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE is presented in collaboration between the West Fargo High
School & Sheyenne High School Theatre Departments and West Fargo Public Schools. Previous shows
include PIPPIN (2011), A CHORUS LINE (2012), CHICAGO (2013), and SPAMALOT (2014) which featured over
50 cast, crew and orchestra members from around the region.
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