PIPPIN AUDITIONS
Auditions: Monday, November 16, 6pm - 9pm
Callbacks: Monday, November 30, 5pm - 9:30pm
Auditions and Callback will take place in classroom15-100.
SHOW INFORMATION
Pippin
Book by Roger O. Hirson and Bob Fosse
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed and Choreographed by Melissa Glasgow
Musical Direction by Cody Bianchi
SYNOPSIS
As told by a traveling troupe of actors led by the cunning and charming Leading Player,
Pippin is the story of a young prince, heir to the throne, who is searching for his
own “corner of the sky.” Encouraged by the Leading Player, Pippin dabbles in bloody
battle, licentious entanglements, and saavy political maneuvers, only to discover
that true happiness is more complicated than he thought. With infectious tunes by
Stephen Schwartz and an original book and choreography by Bob Fosse, Pippin is both a witty exploration of growing up and a dark tale of false appearances and
empty promises.
ROLES CASTING
Pippin - Male identifying. Tenor. The eldest son of King Charlemagne and the heir to the Holy Roman throne. Pippin is
the earnest, deeply conflicted protagonist of the musical. A naive, innocent young man longing to find his purpose in life. He goes on a winding
journey exploring war, politics, lust, love, and what it means to be extraordinary.
Leading Player - Any gender. The orchestrator of Pippin's journey. Masterfully charming and manipulative,
the Leading Player is a chameleon who guides Pippin through his story, intervening
when the moment is right. Obsessed with putting on a spectacular show. Dance and
movement skills a plus.
Catherine - Female identifying. Mezzo Soprano. A widow and mother. She is grounded, caring, and fiercly independent woman who runs
her own large, exhausting estate. Encounters Pippin at his lowest point and eventually
falls in love with him.
Fastrada - Female identifying. Mezzo Soprano. Pippin's Stepmother and Charles’s deceptively beautiful, conniving, and fiercely
ambitious second wife, who will stop at nothing to secure the throne for her own son,
Lewis. A master manipulator wrapped up in her desire for power.
Charlemagne (King Charles) - Male identifying. Baritone. Pippin’s father and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He is a booming, larger-than-life
monarch who rules his kingdom with a mix of brutal pragmatism and casual tyranny.
Lewis - Male identifying. Any. Pippin’s dim-witted, intensely conceited stepbrother, and the darling son of Fastrada.
Blessed with physical strength but a lack of intellectual depth, Lewis is entirely
defined by his love for warfare, glory, and of course, himself.
Berthe - Female identifying. Alto. Pippin’s grandmother and the exiled mother of King Charles. She has been sent to live
in the countryside due to her clashes with Fastrada. A warm, boisterous, and fiercely
uninhibited woman, Berthe has abandoned the stuffy, paranoid constraints of royalty.
Theo - Male identifying. Tenor. Catherine’s young, stubborn, protective son. Initially cold and distrusting of Pippin
when he enters his home, Theo slowly warms up to him, forming a genuine bond that
alters the course of Pippin's journey.
Ensemble - A group of "players" who act as a single, multi-faceted organism controlled by the Leading Player. They are shape-shifters who seamlessly morph into the different parts of Pippin's journey. Dance and movement skills a plus.
Note: Although some roles are labeled as male or female identifying, gender and vocal ranges for all roles are open based on casting
AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions: Monday, November 16th; 6pm-9pm in the Stagehouse Theatre
Auditions: Monday, November 16th; 6pm-9pm in the Stagehouse Theatre
Callbacks: Monday, November 30th; 5pm-9:30pm in the Stagehouse Theatre
What to prepare: Please prepare a 32-bar cut (60-90 seconds) of a song in the style
of the show. If you have a book of additional repertoire, please bring it with you
in case we'd like to hear something else.
Please select a piece that shows us your storytelling abilities. The content should
be something that speaks to you and allows us to get to know you. If you feel excited
or inspired about your material, that's what matters. **An accompanist will be provided, so please bring sheet music if you have it. You
may perform with a track if you do not have sheet music.**
If you are asked to come to callbacks, you will be provided with sides from the show.
If you are asked to come to callbacks, you will be provided with sides from the show.
If you are unable to attend live auditions, please contact melissa.glasgow@gcccd.edu as soon as possible to discuss a possible accommodation.
Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our productions. We encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to attend every audition. Auditions are open to all Grossmont College students and other interested individuals from the community.
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE DATES
Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our productions. We encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to attend every audition. Auditions are open to all Grossmont College students and other interested individuals from the community.
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE DATES
Rehearsals:
February 1 through March 5: Mon-Fri evenings 6pm - 10pm (no rehearsal February 12
and 15)
Tech Week:
March 8 - March 12 evenings 6pm - 10pm; March 13 from 10am-6pm
*Note: The Saturday tech rehearsal on March 13th is mandatory. Students must be available
for this date to be a part of the production.
Dress Rehearsals:
March 15 - March 17 evenings from 6pm - 10pm
Performances:
March 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27 @ 7:30 pm; March 20 & 27 @ 2 pm
Understudy Rehearsal:
March 24 from 6:30-10pm
Please be sure to clearly list all conflicts below (both confirmed and potential conflicts),
including those with work, other classes, etc. Please ensure that you do not have
any conflicts with performance dates. You will need to register for a two-unit course
and a one-unit course at Grossmont College if you are part of this production. Specific
registration information will be communicated after casting is complete.
Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our productions. We encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to attend every audition. Auditions are open to all Grossmont College students and other interested individuals from the community.
Consider following us on Instagram or Facebook for updates on auditions, performances, and the Theatre Arts Department.
If you have interest in crewing one of our shows, please contact Jennifer Brawn Gittings at jennifer.gittings@gcccd.edu