The Lion King, Jr AUDITIONS

AUDITIONS

Mon (10/14) 6pm-8pm
Tues (10/15) 6pm-8pm

Location: Court Square Theater
41F Court Square, Harrisonburg VA 22801

This production will be directed by J.P. Gulla and Leeanne Shepherd

The performances will be held the weekends of
February 20th – 23rd and February 27th – March 2nd.

Character Breakdown

Young Simba
The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can’t wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa’s death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny. Cast a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3

Rafiki
A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in “Circle of Life” and “He Lives in You,” and leads the African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong singing voice.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Young Nala
A courageous lion and Young Simba’s best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. While Young Nala does sing a little, look for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Mufasa
The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the king.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3

Scar
The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain’s dark side while handling Scar’s sarcastic sense of humor. As his solos can be spoken, opt for an actor over a singer.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3

Zazu
The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu’s lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: any

Shenzi
One of Scar’s hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Gender: female

Banzai
A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren’t so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed, consider audit
Gender: male

Ed
The third member of Scar’s trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: any

Sarabi
A featured lioness, Mufasa’s mate, and Simba’s mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen.
Gender: female

Sarafina
A featured lioness and Nala’s mother. She has one short, spoken line, so consider giving this part to an actor who is putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness.
Gender: female

Simba
Grows from a cub to lion in “Hakuna Matata.” Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so cast a more mature actor. Be sure that the change in actors is clear: Try having Young Simba hand-off a costume piece, such as a medallion, to older Simba. Also be sure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3

Nala
Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar, so cast a more mature actress to play the character beginning in Scene 10, As with older Simba and Young Simba, ensure that this switch in actors performing a single role is clear. Direct the actors to share a mask or costume piece that distinctly represents Nala, as well as a movement vocabulary.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Timon
An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: B3

Pumbaa
A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast a boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: D4

Lionesses
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in “The Lioness Hunt,” “The Mourning,” and “Shadowland.” These actors should be strong singers, as the material can be challenging. Depending on the complexity of your choreography, particuarly for “The Lioness Hunt,” strong dancers may be desirable as well.
Gender: female

Hyenas
Scar’s army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in “Be Prepared.” Cast actors who are able to sing the background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters. Your hyenas can double as animals of the Pridelands or lionesses.
Gender: any

Ensemble
The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. Be sure to cast many strong singers. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers in “The Lioness Hunt” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.”

TENTATIVE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
*may be subject to change

Monday Oct 14th – 5:30pm-8pm Auditions at Court Square Theater
Tuesday Oct 15th – 5:30pm-8pm Auditions at Court Square Theater
Tues. Oct 29th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Oct 30th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Nov 6th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Nov 12th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Nov 13th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Nov 19th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Nov 20th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Nov 26th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed Nov 27th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Dec 3rd – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Dec 4th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Dec 10th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Dec 11th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Dec 17th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Dec 18th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Sun. Jan 5th – 2:00pm -5:00pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Jan 7th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Jan 8th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Sun. Jan 12th – 2:00pm -5:00pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Jan 14th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Jan 15th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Sun. Jan 19th – 2:00pm -5:00pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Jan 21st – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Wed. Jan 22nd – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home and or Court Square Theater
Sun. Jan 26th – 2:00pm -5:00pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Tues. Jan 28th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home and or Court Square
Wed. Jan 29th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Sun. Feb 2nd – 2:00pm -5:00pm – Second Home (Muhlenberg Activities Center)
Mon. Feb 3rd – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Court Square Theater
Tues. Feb 4th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Court Square Theater
Sun. Feb 9th – 2:00pm – 5:00pm – Court Square Theater
Mon. Feb 10th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Court Square Theater
Tues. Feb 11th – 6:15pm-8:30pm – Court Square Theater
Sun. Feb 16th – Load in Set and Build 9am – 9pm – Court Square Theater Not Cast
Monday Feb 17th – Tech/Dress Rehearsal 5:30-9:00pm
Tuesday Feb 18th – Dress Reheasal 5:30-9:00pm
Wednesday Feb 19th – Final Dress Rehearsal 5:30-9:00pm
Thursday Feb 20th – 7:00pm Performance 1 (Opening Night)
Friday Feb 21st – 7:00pm Performance 2
Saturday Feb 24th – 2pm Matinee Performance 3 AND 7:00pm Performance 4
Sunday Feb 25th – 2pm Matinee Performance 5
Thursday Feb 27th – 7:00pm Performance 6
Friday Feb 28st – 7:00pm Performance 7
Saturday Mar 1st – 2pm Matinee Performance 8 AND 7:00pm Performance 9
Sunday Mar 2nd – 2pm FINAL Matinee Performance 10 with 4pm strike after

***Not everyone will be needed every night till we get closer to the opening of the show.