Founded by Beth Sholom Congregation, Beth Sholom Community Players is a community theater group open to all members of the greater Jewish community and beyond. Our group's new name affirms our broader reach throughout the Philadelphia area. Our focus is on joy, teamwork, and community. Our goal is to tell a compelling story, not to achieve some sort of unattainable perfection. Come join us!

We are pleased to welcome our next door neighbor, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel (KI), as our Community Partner, and offer heartfelt appreciation to Congregation Adath Jeshurun, our long-standing collaborator for many prior productions. We welcome members of the broader community to audition for the cast, join the crew and support the production. Casting decisions are made by the Creative Team taking congregation membership at any synagogue into consideration.

Regular rehearsals will take place Sunday afternoons and Monday and Wednesday evenings.

SYNOPSIS
The Wizard of Oz is a stage adaptation of the beloved film. The story follows Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas whisked away by a tornado to the enchanting land of Oz. She meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, and together they seek the help of the great Wizard. With the Wicked Witch of the West hot on their trail, they must rely on their newfound courage and friendship. Featuring the iconic songs and characters from the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz is a heartwarming tale of adventure, bravery, and the timeless lesson that there’s no place like home.

Audition form - YOU MUST SIGN UP at https://tinyurl.com/BSCPWizForm to provide your information.

Audition dates - YOU MUST ALSO SIGN UP at https://tinyurl.com/ BSCPWizSignup for an audition appointment in one hour blocks at Beth Sholom on Sunday, October 20th (12PM-4PM) or Tuesday, October 22nd (7PM-9PM). If you aren’t available on these days, please contact our Director, Max Minkoff at max@planetminkoff.com to make other arrangements. Three people may each select a ten-minute slot for individual singing and reading auditions. After several individual auditions, there will be a dance audition that everyone must participate in, subject to physical limitations. Your full audition may take up to an hour. Please pick the first or second slot within an hour if you are auditioning for the role of Dorothy. Audition materials are available below.

ROLES
The Wizard of Oz, by design, includes multiple doubled roles (one person plays both). This an important element of the story and so the roles will not be split. Characters' genders are set but actors of any gender may be cast. Vocal ranges are determined by the songs each character sings. You can determine your vocal range here: https://youtu.be/9IejHKpfHso.

Ensemble - All ages, all ranges welcome! The ensemble will be crows, trees, Munchkins (of many sizes), Winkies, flying monkeys, jitterbugs and ghosts, and poppies and snow.

Dorothy Gale (Mezzo-Soprano) - A brave, kind-hearted young girl from Kansas. Her journey in Oz teaches her about friendship, courage, and the importance of home.

Scarecrow / Hunk (Baritone)

• Scarecrow: Dorothy’s first companion, who wishes for a brain. He is kind and loyal despite his self-doubt.
• Hunk: One of the Kansas farmhands who works for Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.

Tin Man / Hickory (Tenor, Baritone)

• Tin Man: A gentle figure who longs for a heart, to love. He joins Dorothy on her quest to find the Wizard.
• Hickory: Another farmhand at the Kansas farm.

Cowardly Lion / Zeke (Baritone)

• Cowardly Lion: A large, fearful creature who believes he lacks courage. He proves his bravery through his actions.
• Zeke: The third farmhand in Kansas.

The Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel (Spoken)

• The Wizard: A mysterious figure who hides his true identity. He presents himself as a powerful figure but is ultimately revealed as a kind, ordinary man.
• Professor Marvel: A fortune-teller Dorothy meets before her journey to Oz.

Aunt Em / Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (Mezzo-Soprano)

• Aunt Em: Dorothy’s caring but practical aunt. She worries for Dorothy’s safety throughout the story.
• Glinda: A kind and benevolent witch who helps guide Dorothy in Oz. She is graceful and wise.

The Wicked Witch of the West / Miss Gulch (Spoken)

• Wicked Witch: The story’s villain, who seeks revenge on Dorothy for her sister’s death. Cruel and terrifying.
• Miss Gulch: A bitter neighbor who tries to take away Dorothy’s dog, Toto.

Uncle Henry / Emerald City Guard (Baritone)

• Uncle Henry: A hardworking, no-nonsense farmer. He cares for Dorothy deeply, though he doesn’t show much outward affection.
• Emerald City Guard: A comedic character who is responsible for guarding the gates of the Emerald City.

Nikko (Commander of the Flying Monkeys) - A non-speaking role. Nikko is the Wicked Witch’s loyal servant, performing her bidding with physicality and expression.

Munchkin Mayor - The leader of the Munchkins who officially welcomes Dorothy to Munchkinland.

Munchkin Coroner - A Munchkin official who confirms the death of the Wicked Witch of the East.

Winkie General -The leader of the Winkies, who declares freedom after the Wicked Witch’s defeat.

DANCE The Wizard of Oz has minimal dance requirements beyond Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Ensemble dancing is limited to just a few numbers.

REHEARSALS
Our first rehearsal will take place at Beth Sholom on Sunday, November 3rd (2-5PM). Regular rehearsals will generally take place Sundays (2-5PM at Beth Sholom), Mondays (7-9:30PM at KI), and Wednesdays (7-9:30PM at Beth Sholom), excluding Winter Break. Not everyone will be called for all rehearsals until we begin running full sections of the show after the beginning of the year. Efforts will be made to have multiple groups rehearsing at the same time to maximize the value of our time together.

REQUIREMENTS
As a valued and valuable member of our team, you are responsible for preparing your role as well as supporting our show’s success, including:

Rehearsal attendance - With your audition sign-up you will submit a list of rehearsal conflicts. Once rehearsals begin you are expected at all rehearsals for which you are called, ready to begin 5 minutes before call time. Two absences beyond your stated conflicts may require reducing your role.

Final rehearsals & performances - "Hell Week" begins the Sunday before our first performance. Call on that Sunday is at 10:30AM. You will be expected at the theater all of Sunday afternoon at least until 6PM (extended Dress Rehearsal); 6:00-10:30PM Monday - Wednesday (Dress Rehearsal; and 1.5 hours prior to each performance.

Set construction/move-in/strike - All performers are required to participate in at least 2 construction/ painting sessions (Sunday mornings TBA), moving the set from Beth Sholom to our theater at Gratz College (Sunday February 9th -- which will be followed by a rehearsal at Gratz), and strike (dismantling and returning pieces to Beth Sholom) immediately after our final performance.

Sales - Our show simply cannot happen without financing from ad and ticket sales. Everyone on our team is expected both to promote ticket sales, especially to family and friends, and to sell ads in our show program.

COVID-19/Flu - We strongly recommend, but do not currently require, being up to date with the latest vaccines available to you. Please understand that we are beholden to the policies of our host synagogues, which are subject to change.

Clearances - As volunteers who will be in the proximity of children, all performers must present current clearances about their criminal history and child abuse. Application instructions will be provided to our cast, crew, and production staff.

AUDITION MATERIALS
If you are auditioning for a named character, please prepare the relevant scene excerpts (sides). If you are auditioning for Dorothy, please also prepare to sing "Over the Rainbow." Everyone else, please prepare one of the other two songs.

• Audition sides
• Vocal Audition for Dorothy
• Off to See the Wizard
• Merry Old Land of Oz

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Updated 9/30/2024

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