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Lyric Theatre, the performing company of The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of San Jose, is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition for its productions. All roles are considered volunteer positions (non-AEA), and no compensation is offered.

AUDITIONS

San Jose Light Opera Festival

July 23 - August 7, 2022

Hammer Theatre

 

Lyric Theatre, the performing company of The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of San Jose, announces auditions for our first-ever San Jose Light Opera Festival. We will present three shows in repertory, on a rotating schedule, allowing audience members the potential of seeing three different shows in one weekend, all at the fabulous Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose.

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This year's festival will feature Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, Stephen Sondheim’s fairytale romp, Into the Woods, and in the tradition of Lyric Theatre’s “Discovery Series”, a potpourri program called Light Opera Around the World, featuring songs familiar and new from the wide variety of operetta and show music.

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The Festival will open on July 23 with The Pirates of Penzance and Light Opera Around the World. Into the Woods will open on July 29. Over the three-week festival, both Pirates and Into the Woods will have 4 performances, while Light Opera Around the World will have three performances. Rehearsals will commence in early to mid-May and continue through July on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, in the evenings, and Saturdays in the morning. Each show will rehearse about three days per week, but every performer may not be called for each rehearsal. Please note your availability and conflicts during your audition.

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How to Audition

We are accepting both in-person and virtual auditions for this season!

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In-person auditions will be held at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, 20920 McClellan Road, Cupertino.

Appointments are available:

  • Sunday, April 24, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

  • Monday, April 25, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

  • Tuesday, April 26, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

To sign-up for an audition spot, click the button at the top of the page or visit the following link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044eafa929a57-auditions

 

For in-person auditions, prepare and memorize a song in English to demonstrate your vocal range and skill. If you are auditioning only for the Light Opera Around the World, songs in their original languages are also welcome. Singers auditioning for principal roles and concert soloist positions must be able to project their voices unamplified over an orchestra.

 

Bring music in your key, your conflict calendar, and your résumé (if you have one). An accompanist will be provided; unaccompanied auditions and recorded accompaniment are not allowed. Lyric Theatre will also observe our current COVID protocol policy, which includes vaccinations for all staff, performers, and audience, and masks indoors other than when performing.

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If you are unable to attend the in-person audition, you may submit a video audition by April 26, 2022. Your audition video should include short excerpts from 2-3 songs or arias (32 bars is sufficient). Please upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and include the link in your email. You may set your video to unlisted but do not make it password-protected. Please also include your résumé, if you have one. Click here for director Gary De Mattei's tips on creating your video audition.

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Callbacks

All callbacks will be held in-person on May 1 for Pirates, and May 3 for Into the Woods. Virtual callbacks are not available.

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Pirates of Penzance

Stage Director: Gary De Mattei

Music Director: Matthew Bourne


All roles are available for The Pirates of Penzance:

  • Major-General Stanley (comic baritone)

  • The Pirate King (bass-baritone)

  • Samuel, his Lieutenant (baritone)

  • Frederic, the Pirate Apprentice (tenor)

  • Sergeant of Police (bass)

  • Mabel (soprano)

  • Edith (mezzo-soprano)

  • Kate (mezzo-soprano)

  • Isabel (speaking role)

  • Ruth, a Piratical Maid of all work (contralto)

  • Chorus of Pirates, Police and General Stanley's Daughters

 

Visit Wikipedia for more information about The Pirates of Penzance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pirates_of_Penzance

Additional information on characters is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GCHJ_MS8iku8-O4p_-hgVP6sMwzuqFey/view?usp=sharing

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Into the Woods

Stage Director: Gary De Mattei

Music Director: Benjamin Belew

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All roles are available for Into the Woods:

  • The Witch

  • The Baker’s Wife

  • The Baker

  • The Narrator

  • The Mysterious Man

  • Cinderella

  • Cinderella’s Prince

  • Rapunzel

  • Rapunzel’s Prince

  • Little Red Riding Hood

  • The Wolf

  • Jack (of the Beanstalk)

  • Jack’s Mother

  • The Grandmother

  • Cinderella’s Mother

  • The Giant’s Wife

  • The Cow (non-speaking role, please specify if you are proficient in ASL)

 

Into the Woods is very much an ensemble show, with ample solo opportunities for all. More
information can be found at Wikipedia --  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Woods

Additional information about characters is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b5e6ErfItLKSUIvhMDEWBF3EV2JwZlJb/view?usp=sharing

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Light Opera Around the World

 

We are hoping to select singers for this program from members of the casts of both shows. Repertoire will include selections from well-known light operas of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, AND songs by lesser-known composers of the same era, especially those by composers of historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds. If you’d like to perform for this concert ONLY, we’d be happy to welcome you! Please sign up for an audition, or send a video audition of songs from light opera that you’d like to perform.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is it possible to be cast in multiple shows? What if I am only available or interested in one or two shows?

Yes, and yes! You may specify which show(s) you are interested in when you sign up for your audition.

 

Can I audition even if I don't have any opera or theatre experience?

Lyric Theatre has a long history of welcoming novice performers, both with and without formal training. Many of our music directors are current and former educators, and we take pride in cultivating a supportive environment where everyone can flourish.

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What if I play an instrument and am interested in auditioning for the orchestra, or playing piano for rehearsals?

For information about the orchestra, please contact our Orchestra Manager Ann Byler at ann@lyrictheatre.org.

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For more information, email auditions@lyrictheatre.org.

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