LET YOUR LIGHT
SHINE ON STAGE

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."

Prior to auditions ask the producer at claire@shineplano.com

During auditions ask the box office staff

After auditions ask the stage manager at stagemanager@shineplano.com

April 27-28, 2024

Mary Poppins performs at The Courtyard Theater in downtown Plano July 12-28, 2024. Each weekend, there is one Friday performance at 7:30, one Saturday performance at 7:30 and one Sunday performance at 2:30.

Actors must be ages 13-18 on the day of auditions to be eligible to audition. Additionally, actors over the age of 7 may audition for the roles of Jane and Michael Banks if they are under the height of 5.’

There is no tuition associated with the show other than the non-refundable and non-transferrable $30 audition registration fee.

Participate in our Audition Workshop taught by the Director. When you can be seen by the casting team prior to the audition, take advantage of it! Click here to register.

If you want to know what role is perfect for you, we recommend reading the PERUSAL SCRIPT available in the box office. But please keep in mind the role you think is perfect for you may not be the role the director chooses to challenge you with.

There is a place on the audition form to state this. If the director chooses not to cast you in the “only” roles you’ve chosen, one of two things will happen:

1. You will not be cast in the show, or

2. You will receive a phone call from the producer or stage manager offering you another role in the show. It is probable that if you do not receive the specific role(s) you listed, you will not be offered an alternate role.

The director evaluates:

VOCAL QUALITIES — pitch, placement, articulation, and projection

DANCE SKILLS — do you have the dance technique and memory to execute choreography and learn quickly?

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT — do you embody the character or simply read the words on the page?

SENSE OF FOCUS — do you live in the world or are you too distracted by your thoughts or external factors?

IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY — your unique interpretation of language and character EXPRESSIVENESS — is it in your words? your face? your body?

HONESTY — are you reacting and speaking as your character would?

PRIOR EXPERIENCE - if the director hasn’t worked with you before, we are thrilled to have you audition! If we have prior experience working with you, we take it into consideration. Were you reliable? Prompt? Kind? Directable?

THEN we look at things like age and height to think about what role you might fit into and which of the other people that auditioned might match up with you. The same criterion is true for callbacks.

The Principal Characters in Mary Poppins require strong vocalists and dancers and excellent acting skills. The Ensemble requires strong singing and dance skills. Students do not need past experience in any of these areas, but a bold audition and courage to take risks will help them to portray the characters coming to life on stage.

Rehearsals will begin on June 10. Rehearsals will be held Monday-Thursday from 1:00-6:00 and Saturday from 9:00-noon. Not every character will be called for every rehearsal, though central characters will attend almost every rehearsal. The number of rehearsals you attend depends on your role.

Principal characters may be called in for additional rehearsals prior to June 10.

Actors will be called in for 30-60 minutes on a Saturday for a costume fitting.

Technical rehearsals are July 8 from 12:00-8:00 pm and July 9-11 from 1:00-6:00 pm and all cast members must be present. We permit NO absences or conflicts of any kind during tech week.

Actors must state all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule on their audition form, which will go out one week prior to auditions. Shine will be unable to accept rehearsal and performance conflicts after casting except in the case of an emergency.

When you sing and do cold reading, wear nice but comfortable clothing that allows you to move without risk of embarrassment and does not mask the size and shape of your body. Wear closed-toed shoes. If you are called back it is a good idea to wear the same clothing you wore on the day of your audition unless otherwise specified.

Your completed audition form (front and back)

sheet music in a 3-ring binder for piano accompaniment for 32 bars of a song from a musical in the style of the show. No contemporary or pop material. No singing acapella. No singing to accompaniment recordings.

Headshot

The front has fields for your contact information so we know how to get hold of you (and your parents), your availability for callbacks and rehearsals, a space for listing conflicts, and a place to list your theatre experiences, training, and special talents. Resumes are not necessary.

With the number of people coming through the door, it is important that we have a picture of you.

Arrive for your audition 15 minutes early and check-in at the front desk. You will turn in your form and have your measurements taken. The actor and their parent will be asked to watch a 10-minute video from the producer prior to your audition.

If needed, callbacks will be held on May 1. The actual times and dates will be determined once we know the number of actors who will attend.

It’s a director’s opportunity to get more information before casting specific roles in the show. If you do not get a callback, it does not necessarily mean you will not be in the show. You may have been perfect for the role the director is using you for and consequently, they do not need a second look at you.

You will receive an email with a list of those who should attend callbacks. If you do not receive an email from us you should call Shine on May 21.

We cannot answer this question until after auditions and callbacks have concluded.

The target announcement date is May 20.

Everyone who auditions will either receive a phone call or email by May 20.

Actors are required to provide specific shoes, socks, tights, underwear, and all make-up supplies as determined by the costume designer. Stage make-up costs approximately $15 to $30. Shoes may run between $20 and $60 dollars. Undergarments such as leotards, camisoles, and undershirts may also be required.

There are four times that parents/guardians are required to be involved if your child is cast in the show. Cast members are also required to be at the following dates and times:

1. Informational meeting on June 10 at 6:00 - 45-minute commitment

2. Pick one time to volunteer at a set build or paint call - 4-hour commitment

3. Load in on Sunday, July 7 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

Strike on Sunday, July 28 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

On your audition form, you will be asked if you are interested in volunteering for a technical position if you are not cast in the show. Your answer to this question will not affect your casting in any way. Positions may include stagehand, wardrobe/dressers, board operator, assistant stage manager.