ESPA Current Auditions
FUNNY GIRL
Launch Night and Audition Information
Launch Night 14th October 2024
7:30pm for an 8pm start
Merstham Park School, Taynton Dr, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3PU
7:30pm for an 8pm start
Merstham Park School, Taynton Dr, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3PU
Pre Audition Rehearsals 21st October & 4th November 2024
7:30pm - 10pm
Merstham Park School, Taynton Dr, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3PU
7:30pm - 10pm
Merstham Park School, Taynton Dr, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3PU
Auditions Sunday 10th November 2024
9am - 4pm exsact times will be given to those closer to auditions.
Location TBC
9am - 4pm exsact times will be given to those closer to auditions.
Location TBC
FUNNY GIRL
Show Dates: 16th to 19th April 2025
Show Dates: 16th to 19th April 2025
Get ready as ESPA brings the legendary story of Funny Girl to Chequer Mead for the very first time! Step back into the glamorous world of the early 20th century, where Fanny Brice, a young Jewish girl from New York, defies all expectations and becomes one of the biggest stars of her time. With her quick wit, incredible talent, and unstoppable spirit, Fanny rises from the chorus line to the bright lights of the Ziegfeld Follies, capturing hearts along the way.
But it’s not all smooth sailing - Fanny’s love life is as dramatic as her career. Her whirlwind romance with the dashing but troubled gambler Nick Arnstein is filled with passion, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments. As Fanny’s star continues to rise, will her love story survive the pressures of fame?
Featuring show-stopping numbers like People, Don’t Rain on My Parade, and I’m the Greatest Star, Funny Girl is packed with the songs that made musical theatre history. This is a dazzling, heartwarming story of dreams, love, and the price of fame that you won’t want to miss!
Directed By Julia Stevens
Click for more information.
Ticket Link coming soon...
ROCK OF AGES
Launch Night and Audition Information Coming Soon...
What to expect at auditions...
We understand that auditioning for the first time, or any time for that matter can be daunting! Don't worry, ESPA is an open and welcoming company and we strive to support our members throughout the audition process in the best possible ways.
ESPA wants to have a fair, transparent and accessible audition process that will ensure we get the very best from the performers auditioning. We’ve thought hard about this and have come up with these procedures and guidance that we hope will help our auditioning panels and auditionees.
So prepare your material beforehand to the best of your ability and enjoy performing to us!
Ensemble Auditions - What to expect
Arriving at the Audition
When you arrive, you will be greeted by an ESPA Representative. They will check your membership status - if you’ve not had the chance to sign up yet you can do so on the day.
The ESPA Representative will give you your audition form and headshot so make sure you hand these to the audition panel when you go in for your audition.
The ESPA Representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Auditioning
The ESPA Representative will lead you to the audition room where you will be introduced to the panel. The panel consists of: Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Moderator, Trustee.
The Director, Choreographer and Musical Director form the creative team for the show. They are looking for people who will fit in with their vision of the show. The Moderator and Trustee are there to oversee the audition process, to ensure that all auditionees are treated the same. The Trustee and Moderator will also be present when the casting decisions are made to ensure all decisions are made in line with ESPA’s policies.
You will go into the room in groups which are usually made up of: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
During your singing and/ or dancing audition, our Musical Director will accompany you on the piano.
If you have a dancing audition, this will be done in groups so the panel has a chance to see you all. This will be accompanied either by the Musical Director or track.
You may be asked to go through your audition more than once.
Post Audition
The ESPA Representative will tell you whether or not you may go home depending on whether the panel would like to see you again.
Please do not leave before you are dismissed.
The cast list will be posted on to the ESPA Productions website at 12pm the next day.
If you are needed for a recall, an ESPA Representative will contact you within 24hrs.
Remember
Bring water with you. Nerves can make your throat very dry so keep hydrated.
Keep calm. Don’t worry if you make a mistake - our panel are not looking for polished performances. Making mistakes will not mean you won’t be cast.
To perform to your best standard and have the best chance of being cast it is important to thoroughly prepare your audition. We encourage those auditioning to learn their audition piece/s if they can. However, knowing your piece/s off by heart is preferable, rather than essential.
There are many factors that go into the decision making process. Talent is not the only factor. Try not to be disheartened if you are not cast in your preferred role.
Tips
Keep your hair off your face
Leave chewing gum at home
Aim for the centre of the room. You are the focus of your audition, not the person reading in for you
Expect the unexpected! Be prepared for the Director to throw acting tips/ requests at you at a moment’s notice
Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear
Principal Auditions - What to expect
Arriving at the Audition
When you arrive, you will be greeted by an ESPA Representative. They will check your membership status - if you’ve not had the chance to sign up yet you can do so on the day.
The ESPA Representative will give you your audition form and headshot so make sure you hand these to the audition panel when you go in for your audition.
The ESPA Representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Auditioning
The ESPA Representative will lead you to the audition room where you will be introduced to the panel. The panel consists of: Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Moderator, Trustee.
The Director, Choreographer and Musical Director form the creative team for the show. They are looking for people who will fit in with their vision of the show. The Moderator and Trustee are there to oversee the audition process, to ensure that all auditionees are treated the same. The Trustee and Moderator will also be present when the casting decisions are made to ensure all decisions are made in line with ESPA’s policies.
If your audition consists of more than one section, you will be asked whether you would like to sing, dance or act first. Tell the panel how you would like your audition to flow.
During your acting audition, you may need someone to read in for the other character/s in your scene. For this, there will be two experienced actors available in the audition room for you to act against. Tell them where to stand, what you need them to do and they will work with you.
During your singing and/ or dancing audition, our Musical Director will accompany you on the piano.
Please note: your dance audition will usually be performed in a group at the beginning of the day. The audition is accompanied by the Musical Director or a backing track. The panel may wish to see your dance audition again during your solo audition.
Post Audition
The ESPA Representative will tell you whether or not you may go home depending on whether the panel would like to see you again.
Please do not leave before you are dismissed.
The full cast list will be posted on our closed Facebook group and on our website on at 12pm the next day. It is likely that there are roles which have not been cast due to recalls so don’t expect to see a full cast list on this day.
If you are needed for a recall, an ESPA Representative will contact you within 24hrs.
If you have not been cast in your preferred role, you will not need to audition for the ensemble unless you have been told otherwise. Your casting into the ensemble will be based on your principal audition unless you prefer us to consider your ensemble audition as well.
We do need as many people at the ensemble audition as possible, so please still attend the ensemble audition if you can.
Remember
Bring water with you. Nerves can make your throat very dry so keep hydrated.
Keep calm. Don’t worry if you make a mistake - our panel are not looking for polished performances. Making mistakes will not mean you won’t be cast.
To perform to your best standard and have the best chance of being cast it is important to thoroughly prepare your audition. We encourage those auditioning to learn their audition piece/s if they can. However, knowing your piece/s off by heart is preferable, rather than essential.
There are many factors that go into the decision making process. Talent is not the only factor. Try not to be disheartened if you are not cast in your preferred role.
Tips
Keep your hair off your face
Leave chewing gum at home
Expect the unexpected! Be prepared for the Director to throw acting tips/ requests at you at a moment’s notice
Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear
Accepting a Principal or Ensemble Role
ESPA are committed to a fair and transparent casting process, ensuring the best person for the role is chosen in every circumstance. In accepting a role in any production, you should understand that in the early stages of rehearsals this offer is conditional on your commitment to the Society, its rehearsal schedule, and your ability to create and sustain the role to the satisfaction of the production team and the Trustees.
The Trustees may revise the cast from time to time if any Member to whom a character has been assigned shall, in their opinion, prove unsuitable for the role. This is a last resort and the Member will be consulted with before any action is taken.