July 8 – August 11, 2013
Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. This magical adaption of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Princess and the Pea is full of side-splitting humor and wonderful songs for both men and women. The 2013 ArtsWest production will add an additional layer of madcap mayhem by setting the show in the “swinging ’60s of London”.
In a far-off land Prince Dauntless is in search of a wife, and until he finds a woman to be his bride, no one in the land is allowed to get married. It is his mother – the devious Queen Aggravain – who is against any marriage to her son. However, time is running out for Lady Larkin and Sir Harry who are expecting a child any time. It is a cast of zany characters, including a jester, a minstrel, and the King himself, who prove an unexpected visitor, Princess Winifred (nicknamed Fred), is the perfect match for the lonely Prince.
HOW TO APPLY
(acceptance into the Apprenticeship Program is by audition only, for students ages 12-16 at time of auditions*)
Sign-ups start: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 – please call 206-938-0963, ext. 102 to sign up for an audition time.
Auditions: Saturday, January 26, 2013 – 12noon – 5pm (each applicant will need to attend the entire time)*
Once your audition is scheduled you will receive an audition packet with all the material you will need to prepare. No need to find your own song or monologue – we make it easy on you – we send you all the material you will need to prepare.
If you are unable to make the audition dates, video auditions can be arranged.
*some exceptions apply
REHEARSAL CALENDAR
Rehearsals and classes typically are held Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm; Saturday and Sunday August 3 and 4 will be technical and dress rehearsals and will be held 10am – 9pm. All students accepted into the program will be required to be at all classes, rehearsals and performances.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
August 7 – 11, 2013
7:30pm Wednesday – Saturday and 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday for a total of 6 public performances
TUITION
$750.00 (need-based and talent-based scholarships are available)
CASTING INFORMATION
11 – 13 women / 9 – 11 men (some doubling might occur depending on level of talent)
ArtsWest will be casting for the following roles in their production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS:
MINSTREL: Male or Female; Tenor – The narrator of the story
PRINCESS #12: Female – The 1st Princess the audience sees who is performing a round of tests to win the heart of the Prince.
WIZARD: Male; Baritone – The egotistical, ex-performer who directly serves the Queen
LADY LARKEN: Female; Soprano – Romantic lead madly in love with Sir Harry
QUEEN AGGRAVAIN: Female; Alto – The loud, talkative woman who is really in charge of the country. Must have great comic timing
PRINCE DAUNTLESS: Male; Baritone – Nice, young, not too smart, and who desperately wants to be married
KING SEXTIMUS THE SILENT: Male – A kind, expressive, playful and comic character; he is silent and must be a GREAT physical actor
JESTER: Male or Female; Tenor; STRONG DANCER – An energetic and preppy man who is the King’s right hand man
SIR HARRY: Male; Tenor – Egotistical, brave and in love with Lady Larken
PRINCESS WINIFRED THE WOEBEGONE: Female; Mezzo; GOOD BELT and STRONG COMIC TIMING a MUST – A feisty, outspoken, independent, strong, optimistic, free-thinking princess from the swamp lands
SIR STUDLEY: Male; MUST DANCE WELL – A member of the court
LADY MABELLE: Female; MUST BE A STRONG COMIC ACTRESS –- French lady in waiting
NIGHTENGALE OF SMARKLAND: Female; MUST BE ABLE TO WHISTLE – The royal pet that sings a lullaby
LADY ROWENA – Lady in waiting
LADY LUCILLE – Lady in waiting
LADY HELENA – Lady in waiting
LADY SARAH – Lady in waiting
SIR LUCE – Knight
SIR RUSSELL – Knight
SIR MICHAEL – Knight
SIR HUMPHREY – Knight
EMILY – The chambermaid/kitchen wench who is chased around the castle by King Sextimus