Thursday October 10th is Movie Night featuring:
Willy Wonka
Come watch the movie 3:45-4:30 in Mrs. Sheets Room 502 to get an idea of what the show is about and characters in the show.
School Play
What is the musical about: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.
Movie Night/ Workshop
Thursday October 24th Audition Workshop
Come to our workshop and learn how to audition for Willy Wonka from 2:45-3:30 we will show you where to find audition information and how to prepare.
Directors
Mrs. Sheets
Mrs. Sheet's is the Drama teacher at Wahlquist Jr. High. She has been teaching drama at Wahlquist for 4 years. She has directed previous shows for Wahlquist including Xanadu Jr., and Freaky Friday and she is incredibly excited to direct and choregraph Willy Wonka Jr. this year!
Mrs. Sanford
Mrs. Sanford is one of our science teachers, she has helped with our school plays in the past, (Nifty Fifties and Lion King Jr.) She is very excited to be joining us for our production of Willy Wonka Jr this year!
Mr. Wooden
Mr. Wooden is the choir and band teacher at Wahlquist Jr. He has experience as the music director for many years including Xanadu Jr. and Freaky Friday. He is so excited to be working on Willy Wonka Jr. this year!
Audition Dates
Tuesday November 19th from 3-5 in Mr. Wooden's Room 504
Sign up for an audition slot in Mrs. Sheets Room 502 prior to auditions
Wednesday November 20th from 3-5 in Mr. Wooden's Room 504
Sign up for an audition slot in Mrs. Sheets Room 502 prior to auditions
CALLBACKS: Monday October 25th from 3-5 Mrs. Sheets Room 502
Students who receive callbacks and materials will be posted prior to callback date
How to Prepare For Auditions
. Do Research: Know what Willy Wonka is about and get to know the characters.
2. Characters: Figure out which character you want to audition for.
3. Sign-ups: Sign up for your audition day and order, if you want to audition, in Mrs. Sheets's room. You must be present for your audition date and slot. If you miss your date/slot, you miss your chance to audition (NO EXCEPTIONS). If you have a conflict, let us know several weeks prior to auditions.
4. Music: Prepare and memorize one of the attached songs on the Wahlquist Website BEFORE your audition. Find the song that corresponds with the character you want to audition for. Practice with both the guided/non-guided vocals.
5. Sides: A small section of the script will be given out DURING auditions. Read your side in your best character voice using emotion. You do not need to prep anything prior, but you should know what character you are auditioning for.
6. Audition Form: As you come in for auditions, meet with the technicians for an audition form. YOU MUST FILL OUT 2 FORMS. One form for each director. The forms help us get to know you better, write down information, and review potential conflicts.
7. Conflicts: A rehearsal calendar will be posted in Mrs. Sheets's room. Prior to auditions, check the calendar and talk with a parent about potential conflicts that will interfere with being committed to the musical. WRITE DOWN ALL CONFLICT DATES ON YOUR AUDITION FORM.
8. Commitment: Our musical is a 3-month commitment from January to March and Monday-Friday (2:30-5:00/5:30). BEFORE auditioning for the musical, make sure you know that you can commit yourself fully to this. The entire cast is dependent on you and your attendance.
9. Dress: Come to auditions dressed professionally (e.g. dress, slacks, skirt, shirt with no logo, etc.). However, don’t come over dressed (prom dress, full theatre costume, etc.).
10. Slate: As you enter the room, state the following: Your name, who you are auditioning for, and if you would rather start with your song or your side.
11. Callbacks: At the end of auditions (1-2 days later) a callback will be announced. A callback is a list of people we would like to call back for a potential role. Materials will be posted prior to callbacks and students will be given 1 week to prepare. If you do not get a callback, it does not mean that you were not cast.
Characters
Willy Wonka / Candy Man
Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Charlie Bucket
Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. The actor performing Charlie should have lots of pluck and enthusiasm.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Grandpa Joe
Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie's age. He is caring, patient, sweet, and always reminds Charlie to look on the bright side.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Mr. Bucket
Mr. Bucket is Charlie's father, who is very overworked. He is a sweet and caring character towards his entire family.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Mrs. Bucket
Charlie's mom. Always worried about everyone's wellbeing. She is a supportive and compassionate character.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Grandpa George
Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Adds humor and light to the scene.
Gender: Male
Grandma Georgina
Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Adds humor and light to the scene.
Gender: Female
Grandma Josephina
Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. Adds humor and light to the scene.
Gender: Female
Phineous Trout
Phineous is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. The role requires some singing, must have a great announcer's voice and good stage presence.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Violet Beauregarde
Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a bluecollar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka. The song is a tour-de-force for the right voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Mike Teavee
For this adaptation Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mindnumbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not understand the word "no." Mike and Ms. Teavee sing "I See It All On TV" so he should be a reasonable singer, but does not need to be phenomenal. Mike could also be portrayed by a girl playing a boy, but generally works best with a male actor.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Augustus Gloop
Augustus is the overachieving eater. Either a boy or a girl acting like a boy can play Augustus. Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Veruca Salt
Veruca is wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required (brats come in all nationalities). Veruca's solo number "I Want It Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show. Veruca should contrast sharply with Violet Beauregard. The actor must be bold and confident in their character.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mrs. Gloop
Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score. The role requires a character actress who isn't afraid to take positive risks both in her acting and her singing.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Mrs. Beauregarde
Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet's and the two should make a good pair onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Mr. Salt
Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. (But this accent is not necessary-just make sure Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place.) He sings very little. A female actress playing male may also play the role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Ms. Teavee
Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings "I See It All On TV" but does not require a polished voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: B3
James
James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. This is a great role for a performer who is newer to the stage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Matilda
Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: C#4
Oompa-Loompa/ Chorus
Workers for Willy Wonka who happen to be present with a song up their sleeves any time one of the children disobey Wonka's rules.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Audition Materials
Select one song below to audition with, make sure it corresponds with the character you want to audition for. Prepare 15 measures that best showcase your singing abilities.