Auditions
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins Show Description & Details for Auditions
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”
Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft. This show is a perfect opportunity to showcase a strong, iconic female performer, as well as unique special effects and illusions.
Creative Team:
Co-Director: John DuSomme
Co-Director & Choreographer: Alyse Squirrell
Music Director: Doug Hammond
Audition Dates:
Monday December 9th 7-9:30pm
Thursday December 12th 7-9:30pm
Saturday December 14th 11am-5pm
Callbacks:
Thursday Dec 19th 7-9:30pm
Audition + Callback Location:
River Drive Park Community Center (RDP) 20 Oak Ave East Gwillimbury, ON L9N 0A2
Rehearsal Dates:
Rehearsals will begin January 2025 (exact date TBD) Mondays & Thursday Evenings (7-10pm) Sunday Afternoon (11am-5pm)
Show Info:
The Stephen Leacock Theatre, Keswick
April 4th- 6th & 11-13th 2025
8 shows total plus a school show day April 9th
We are looking for all roles including Principals, Supporting, Featured Ensemble, Ensemble and Dancers
Non-Equity. All chosen applicants must adhere to the QP Constitution and By-Laws.
We seek performers from all backgrounds, races and ethnicities. We encourage ALL to apply. The Production Team is dedicated to making the audition, rehearsal and performance process safe, accessible and welcoming for all performers regardless of race or ability.
The Queensville Players are committed to diverse and inclusive casting. We welcome applications from all performers, without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other bias.
Please Prepare:
Acting: 1 monologue, approximately 1 minute long (any style)
Vocal: 1 ballad and 1 upbeat Musical Theatre song (not from this show, but in the style is encouraged!) Approximate 36 bars of each song will be sung **Please come prepared with a karaoke track (we will have a Bluetooth speaker available) no A-ccapella singing please**
Dance: There will be a dance audition for all roles so please bring dance shoes or runners and wear clothing you can move in. There will be 1 group dance call during Monday & Thursday auditions and 2 times on Sunday, you will be notified of the time when you book your audition slot
If you have a headshot and resume, please bring them to your audition! There will be an audition form to fill out upon your arrival, so please arrive at your audition no later than 15 minutes prior to your call time!
Email Queensvilleplayersshows@gmail.com with your preferred date to schedule your audition!!!
Check out www.queensvilleplayers.ca for a full list of character descriptions and details!
Cast Type: Children/Adults
Character Breakdown
Bert
The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 55
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: B2
George Banks
The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Winifred Banks
George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 60
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Jane
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Gender: Female
Age: 11 to 15
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Michael
The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Gender: Male
Age: 9 to 12
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Katie Nanna
Jane and Micahel’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Gender: Female
Age: 25 to 40
Policeman
A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 40
Miss Lark
The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 50
Admiral Boom
A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Mrs. Brill
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: D#5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Robertson Ay
The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but his “Spoonful” solo can be a fun surprise.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: G#4
Vocal range bottom: F3
Mary Poppins
Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Park Keeper
Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 40
Neleus
The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 25
Queen Victoria
A statue in the park.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 60
Bank Chairman
The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Miss Smythe
The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 50
Von Hussler
A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 50
John Northbrook
An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 50
Bird Woman
Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Mrs. Corry
Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic).
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 60
Miss Andrew
George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 70
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Ensemble
Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers.