Disney's the Little Mermaid Jr. 

Audition Preparation Information 

Audition Dates:  January 25-31

Callbacks as necessary February 1-3 during school hours             

There are a variety of ways that students can participate!

• Featured Roles: Students wishing to audition for a featured role will audition privately during their scheduled music class time.  Please select “I Would Like to Audition for a Featured Part” on the Participation Selection Form and choose ONE part to audition for.  Students who are not cast in the part they audition for may be considered for other featured parts including those not listed (Princesses, Mersisters, Pilot, Gulls, & Seahorse) and are guaranteed a spot in the ensemble if not selected for their desired part.
• Ensemble: Students who do not wish to audition for a featured role but still want to be on stage will automatically be cast in our ensemble. They will be placed with their classmates as the Sea Chorus, Sailors, Sea Creatures, Merfolk, or Chefs. Please select “I Wish to Participate in the ensemble” on the Participation Selection Form and the student will be notified of their part once casting is complete.
• Opt-out: Parents may choose to opt out of the performance opportunity by selecting “I will not be participating in this production” on the Participation Selection Form. Please note that once a student has opted out, they will not be able to opt back in. Students’ semester grade is based on their in-class participation.

 

IMPORTANT:  Fill out the “Participation Selection Form” and return by Friday, January 20^th.   Late forms will not be considered for auditions. Forms will be sent home on Tuesday, January 10.  A link to download the form can also be found  at:   https://hhe.desotocountyschools.org/alaynaweiss

 

How to prepare for auditions:

• We will be learning audition selections during music class time for the next several weeks. Please encourage your child to practice and prepare for their audition at home as well. Resources can be found on the attached pages, the “Music” page of the school website, and in Lion King Audition Preparation Course.

• Please note that although students will be practicing for our production during school hours, those with FEATURED parts WILL be asked to stay after school on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:30 pm beginning in February thru April.

 

What to expect at auditions:

• Auditions will be held privately to ease any jitters during regularly scheduled Music classes.
• Students will be asked to either sing their prepared selection to a backing track without vocals or read a scene if they are auditioning for a speaking only part. I will have music, lyrics and speaking parts available for the student. Lines do not have to be memorized but students should be very familiar with their audition selection.

 

Casting

  Individual letters will be sent home notifying all students of the role they have been cast in during the week following auditions.  Those cast in featured roles will be required to sign and return a contract.  Scripts and information regarding accompaniment and rehearsal tracks will be sent home once their contract is turned in.  They will need your help at home.

 

 

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

 

Ariel  (female)                        speaking and singing part

The heroine of the story, Ariel is a mermaid who longs to be human. Dynamic singer, must be able to convey meaning through her motions once she looses her voice.

Audition song:  “Part of Your World”

 

Flounder (male or female)     speaking and singing part

Ariel’s sincere and loyal best friend.  This spunky fish has lines and a fabulous solo.

Audition song:  “She’s in Love”

 

Grimsby (male)                       speaking and singing part     

Prince Eric’s prim and proper butler/valet.  He rigid and constantly pushes Prince Eric toward the throne.

Audition song:  “The Contest”

 

Prince Eric (male)                   speaking and singing part

An adventurous prince. Charming and thoughtful. Small solos required:

Audition song:  “Fathoms Below”

 

Scuttle (make or female)                   speaking and singing part

A know-it-all seagull who serves as Ariel’s expert on humans. Scuttle is fun and over the top

Audition song:  “Human Stuff”

 

Sebastian (male)                    speaking and singing part

An anxious crab who tries to keep Ariel safe.  He sings some of the most memorable songs in the show including “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl”

Audition song: “Under the Sea”

 

Ursula (female)                      speaking and singing part

A Sea Witch that tries to overthrow King Triton.  She is cunning and devious and won’t stop until she gets what she wants.

Audition song: “Poor Unfortunate Souls”

 

Chef Louis (male or female)   speaking and singing part

Over the top French head-chef in Prince Eric’s palace.  He is very excited about food!

Audition song:  “Les Poissons”

 

 

King Triton (male)                  speaking

Rules the sea and is a force to be reckoned with. He is a strong leader and a tender parent.

Audition Scene:

KING TRITON:  Ariel! (taken aback by the collection of human stuff) What is all this?!?

ARIEL:  Daddy, they’re my—

KING TRITON:  Human junk!

ARIEL:  No, treasures!

KING TRITON:  Did you save a human from drowning?

ARIEL:  He would’ve died!

KING TRITON:  That savage brute could have killed you! And it’s my job to keep you safe from

harm.

ARIEL:  But he didn’t frighten me. He made me feel... wonderful! Besides, I am not a

child anymore!

KING TRITON:  No? Well, you are certainly talking like one. He’s a human – you’re a mermaid.

ARIEL:  It doesn’t matter – you don’t understand! I wish mother were here!

KING TRITON:  (takes a moment to recover from the low blow)Ariel, I miss your mother just as

much as you do. But I am still the king. And you are not to go to the surface ever again. Am I clear?!?(KING TRITON pauses for a moment of regret.)  I’m just trying to protect her, Sebastian

 

 

Floatsam & Jestsam (male or female)           speaking part primarily with group singing

These electric eels and Ursula’s slippery spies are sinister and sneaky.

Audition scene:    

Jetsam:  Poor, sssweet, missssunderstood child.

Floatsam: She has a very ssserious problem, hasn’t she?

Jestam:  Who will ease her woes and worries?

Floatsam:  Who will help her get her man? (Floatsam and Jetsam circle and startle Ariel)

Jetsam/Floatsam:  Perhaps the Sea Witch can!

Ariel:  Who are- how did you-

Jetsam: She’s been dying to help you!

Ariel:  Ursula? Help me?

Floatsam:  Oh, yesssss….but she can’t leave her lair

Ariel:   (hesitant at first, they relents) Then take me to her!

Floatsam/Jetsam:  Of courssssse!

 

 

Carlotta (female)        speaking only part

 The chatty headmistress in Prince Eric’s palace and Ariel’s best human friend. She is warm and kind.

Audition monologue:

Carlotta: (speaking to Ariel) Imagine, washing up like that on the beach! Must’ve been a horrible shipwreck! I don’t suppose we’ll ever know the truth.  Why, you can’t even speak, poor dear! Well, never mind-after your scrub in the tub, you’re fresh as a daisy in a beautiful new frock!