Auditions for Northbrook Theatre Children's Company
Be our guest! The Northbrook Theatre Children's Company (NTCC) will hold auditions in January for Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr., a "tale as old as time." Auditions are scheduled at the Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Avenue, on the following dates:
• Sunday, January 11 from 1-5pm
• Monday, January 12 from 5:30-7:30pm
• Tuesday, January 13 from 5:30-7:30pm
Auditions are open to boys and girls in grades 6-10 and include acting, dancing and singing. In addition to Belle and the Beast, students can play fun supporting roles, including Mrs. Potts, the endearing cook, who is turned into a teapot; Lumiere, the French mâitre d' who becomes a candelabra; Cogsworth, the head of the household, who becomes a mantel clock; and assorted dancing flatware. The show offers students a great introduction to musical theatre, with familiar songs and characters and dazzling costumes.
The plot of the classic fairytale revolves around Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who actually is a prince, trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will return to his former self. If he does not learn his lesson in time, he and his household will be doomed forever.
For more than 30 years, the award-winning Northbrook Theatre Children's Company (NTCC) has presented theatre by youth for youth. The entertaining productions, produced by the Northbrook Park District, help young actors develop teamwork and communication skills, along with a love of the theatre.
Auditions are on a first-come, first-served basis, and students will be seen in groups of 10 in the order in which they arrive. They need to bring 16 bars of a musical theatre song, prepared and in the proper key; sheet music for the song, hole-punched and in a binder for the accompanist; and dates of rehearsal or performance conflicts.
The auditions are open to Northbrook residents and non-residents at no cost. Casting is based on ability, availability and attitude. Students who are chosen for the cast pay a $389 participation fee ($359 for Northbrook Park District residents) to help offset production costs. The fee includes a NTCC product package with a cast photograph, frame, DVD and cast party lunch on the performance date. On January 7, vocal coaching is available at the Leisure Center at an Audition Prep Workshop from 4-6:30pm for a $32 fee.
"We hope to carry on the tradition of having talented children from Northbrook and surrounding communities join us for our auditions in January," said Erin Sweet, Assistant Manager of Performing Arts with the Northbrook Park District. "Beauty and the Beast is a classic tale that is sure to enchant and entertain our actors and our audiences this winter."
Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, January 20 and continue through performance dates in March. For more information, check the Northbrook Park District Winter Guide (online at nbparks.org), or call the Performing Arts Office at 847•291•2367.