Chicago: Teen Edition Information
Hello and thank you for your interest in Chicago: Teen Edition at Champlin Park Theatre, we are so excited to have you join us! Below is information about our “Getting Back into Business Meeting”, auditions, important dates and what this show is about. If you have any questions please reach out to Leah(Director) at leahjensen17@gmail.com or champlinparktheatre@gmail.com
Getting Back into Business Meeting (aka- GBIB, aka Theatre Interest Meeting)- September 10th 2:30- 4:00
Our first gathering of the year! Come learn about the theatre program, how auditions work at Champlin Park work and meet (or reunite) with fellow thespians! This meeting is open to anyone who is interested in participating in theatre this year!
Important Dates for Chicago: Teen Edition
Thursday, September 10th-Getting Back into Business Meeting
Monday and Tuesday, September 14th and 15th- Vocal Auditions
Wednesday, September 16th- Dance Auditions
Thursday, September 17th- Dance Callbacks
Friday, September 18th- Vocal Callbacks (Cast List posted after)
Monday, September 21st- First Rehearsal
Monday, September 28th 6:00pm- Mandatory Parent Meeting
Tech Week- Oct 31st-November 5th
Performances- November 6th- 8th and 13th- 15th (Friday and Saturday Performances at 7:00, Sunday Performances at 2:00)
Audition Information
ALL WHO WISH TO AUDITION MUST FILL OUT AN AUDITION FORM LINKED ABOVE
All auditioners must attend both a vocal audition and the dance audition!
-Vocal auditions- Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th in the choir room 2:30-5:00.
-Dance Auditions- Wednesday, September 16th in the theatre, 2:30-5:00
-Callbacks will span two separate days. Dance Callbacks will be held Thursday, September 17th and Vocal Callbacks Friday, September 18th.
-The Cast list will be posted the evening of Friday, September 18th.
-First Rehearsal- September 21st
- Mandatory parent meeting- September 28th at 6:00pm.
What to prepare: In your vocal audition you will be asked to prepare one of the cuttings from the show that will be provided. On your vocal audition day you will sing your cutting in front of the Directors and whoever else is in the room. After you have sung through your selection once, you will then be given an objective to act out with your song and sing it again. This does not need to be memorized but you may find it helpful. For the dance audition you will be taught a dance combination and asked to perform it in small groups. Please make sure to be wearing clothes and shoes you can easily dance in (i.e. not crocs).
For those interested in Tech Crew- If you want to work backstage we ask that you attend set build days. No previous experience required! Set build days will be posted soon.
For those interested in playing in the Orchestra Pitt- Please connect with Mr. Palmquist!
Summary and Character List
About Chicago: Teen Edition-
Set in the height of the American Jazz age, Chicago: Teen Edition is about “murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery. All the things we hold near and dear to our hearts.” This story follows the quests of “murderesses” Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they work the media and justice system to escape punishment for their crimes. This edition of the world famous musical, has adapted the themes and language to be appropriate for a high school audience.
Characters (in order of appearance)
Ensemble Members (10 speaking parts in total, not the total of ensemble members)- These characters serve as the MCs for the show, introducing musical numbers and players
Velma Kelly- A vaudevillian murderess with big dreams to tour her act around the country. She is on trial for killing her husband and her sister, who she originally performed with. She feels justified in her actions and is rival to Roxie Hart
Fred Kasley- The murder victim of Roxie Hart after he tries to break things off with her.
Roxie Hart- An adulterous murderess with dreams of leveraging her criminal actions for celebrity. She is on trial for killing her boyfriend Fred Kasley. She loves the media attention and is rival to Velma Kelly
Amos Hart- The gullible husband to Roxie. He is a pawn in her game. He originally takes the blame for Fred Kasley’s death, claiming self defense but retracts after learning they were having an affair. Despite all of this he is hoping he can get his wife back.
Officer Fogarty- The police officer who processes the crime scene at the Hart home.
Liz, Annie, June, Hunyak, Mona- The five of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. These women are all convinced of murders that they feel justified in. They all sing in “Cell Block Tango”
Matron “Mama” Morton- The “keeper of the keys” to the women’s ward in the Cook County Jail. She does favors for the prisoners, as long as they do favors for her.
Billy Flynn- An all-star defense attorney for Velma and Roxie. He loves the spotlight just as much as them and is a master at manipulating the media to influence the justice system.
Mary Sunshine- A columnist who is sympathetic to Roxie’s explanation of the murder. She is a caricature of the reporters label “sob sisters” at the time.
Other roles- Kitty, Harry, Judge, Harrison, Clerk, Juror #1, Reporters