AUDITION FOR US
Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company holds auditions at least once each year for participation in our mainstage productions and additional concerts and special events. At our auditions, all principal roles in a production are available, and many of our productions are double cast in order to provide as many performance opportunities as possible. Our audition process includes a singing portion – where a Gilbert & Sullivan selection is highly suggested – alongside reading sides from the show we are casting.
Although our rehearsal schedule and time commitment varies depending on production and role, RGSOC rehearsals typically take place on Monday and Thursday evenings in Northern New Jersey. All of our rehearsal and performance locations are easily accessible by train and/or bus from New York City, and ride shares are often coordinated for individuals living near one another. If you have any questions about our auditions or rehearsal process, please feel free to contact us or email us at ridgewoodgands@gmail.com.
UPCOMING AUDITIONS
Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company is excited to announce auditions for our production of Iolanthe (Brendan Hartnett, Director | Rider R. Foster, Music Director). Performances will take place November 1-9, 2024 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
Auditions will take place from 2-5pm on Sunday, August 4 in NJ and 6:30-9:30pm on Monday, August 5 in NYC - please read below for additional information and a link to submit!
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals will begin in late September, and take place Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Public concert performances will take place throughout Northern New Jersey and New York in late October, and full performances with orchestra will take place November 1-9 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
PERFORMANCES:
Friday, November 1 at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 3 at 3pm
Friday, November 8 at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 9 at 7:30pm
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Please fill out the Audition Form here to receive your audition slot. Please note that within this form, you will be asked for a resume and a recent photograph. If submitting a virtual audition, you will also be asked for two contrasting vocal selections recorded within the last 24 months. English language is preferred (but not required), and your submission can be from a recording session, an excerpt from a production, or a self-tape.
Singing:
Performers auditioning for principal roles should prepare two selections - with at least one being Gilbert & Sullivan - in the style of the show. If auditioning for a principal role, singing a selection from the show is suggested, though other English light opera is also acceptable. Those auditioning for the chorus should sing 32 bars of what they feel most comfortable performing (English preferred).
Acting:
At auditions, all auditioning for principal roles will read sides, which will be provided to you in the room. Here is a link to our sides, which you can also use to submit for your digital audition.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
We are open to gender-bending and cross-fach casting! However, we cannot transpose individual songs, other than octave displacement (i.e., bringing a line up or down an octave as needed).
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The Lord Chancellor (comic baritone)
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Earl of Mountararat (baritone)
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Earl Tolloller (tenor)
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Private Willis (bass)
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Strephon (baritone)
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Queen of the Fairies (contralto)
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Iolanthe (mezzo-soprano)
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Celia (soprano)
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Leila (mezzo-soprano)
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Phyllis (soprano)
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Chorus of Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, Barons, and Fairies (all voice types)