Beowulf: User Friendly Audition Information

2021 Liberty Middle School Fall Play

Description: Participation in Liberty Middle School drama productions are open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Theater offers
students the opportunity to act on stage, to operate technical aspects such as sound and lighting, and manage backstage props, costumes
and set pieces. Students are expected to be committed to this experience for its entire duration, September 1st – October 29th. Please
review the following responsibilities before auditioning.

About the Play: After an entire class fails the exam on Beowulf, their stern teacher issues a challenge — tell her the famous story. Include
the characters, action, themes, and history, and you might just pass. The students concoct a retelling of the tale, when Hrothgar, King of
the Danes reads the business card — “Beowulf. Professional hero. Maiden rescue, dragon slaying, revenge and monster removal.
Reasonable rates. Bonded.” — it sounds like just what he needs! Students explore Beowulf with biting sarcasm and amusing stage
action. If you thought Grendel’s mother butchered the Danes, get ready for monstrous laughter with the butchering of the epic poem
Beowulf!

Cast: Unfortunately, due to cast size required for the show, we will not be able to place every student who auditions into a role in our
production. We will place as many as possible, but not everyone can be accommodated.

Auditions: will be held at the Liberty Middle School Theatre on Monday, August 30th starting promptly at 3:45 and ending promptly at
5:30 at the Liberty Middle School Theatre. The attached audition form MUST be filled in and have a parent/guardian signature in
order to audition for the play. These are closed auditions; family and friends are not allowed in the theatre. Students will be dismissed
as soon as they are finished. The cast and crew list will be posted on the theatre doors the morning of Tuesday, August 31st. You do not
need to prepare anything for auditions.

Tech: Students who are interested in a technical role should include their interest in their audition form. We will only be able to accept a
limited number of students on the technical crew this year.

Rehearsals:
- Rehearsals will be held after school from 3:45-5:15pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- Additional rehearsals may be required on Wednesdays. This will be communicated at least a week ahead of time.
- The first rehearsal will be Thursday, September 2nd at 3:45 – 5:15
- Tech Rehearsal will be Saturday, October 23rd. Any changes in the schedule will be communicated ahead of time.
- The week leading up to performances, rehearsal will run from 3:45PM – 6:00PM. This is to accommodate the technical
requirements of our show.
- Rehearsals are closed.
- Cast and crew are expected to attend every rehearsal that is indicated on the schedule, unless it was indicated on their audition
form.
- Cast and crew who have two unexcused rehearsals will be re-cast or removed from the show.
- Students should attend rehearsals ready to work and leave cell phones and devices in their bags.

Performances:
- Performances will be Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th. Starting at 7:00 PM at the Liberty Middle School
Theatre. Cast and crew should expect to arrive starting around 5:30.
- Ticket sale dates are to be determined, tickets will cost $5 per person.
Activity Fee and Costumes:
- A $40 activity fee will be charged for those members selected to the cast for the production. There is no fee to audition.
The fee can be paid online via MySchoolBucks.com or via cash or check (made payable to Liberty Middle School) and turned into
Ms. Amanda Morgan at the activities desk in the office.
- Costumes are a collaborative effort between director and the cast, we may ask students bring in shoes, pants, etc as
needed from their own wardrobe, but outside shopping should not be needed at all.

Transportation: The students’ family will be responsible for pick up promptly at the end of rehearsals as well as performance nights.
Students should be picked up at 5:15.

Contact Information:
Mr. Cody Rowe – CROWE@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Ms. Amanda Morgan at the activities office.
 2021 Fall Play Audition Form
First & Last Name: _____________________________________________________ Grade: ___________
Team :___________________________________________________
Would you be willing to help backstage or with tech crew? ___ Yes ___ No
What areas interest you? ___ lights ___ sound ___ costumes/makeup ___ backstage

Depending on your role, you may need to rehearse more than others. Are you willing to
commit to extra time at home and/or by attending extra rehearsals? ___ Yes ___ No
Have you participated in a theatre production before? ___ Yes ___ No
Rehearsals will begin on September 2nd between 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday. Please explain any conflicts here:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Performances will be on Thursday, October 29th and Friday, October 30th. Do you have any
conflicts? _____ Yes _____ No

Tech rehearsal will be on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Do you have any
conflicts? _____ Yes _____ No

By auditioning I understand that if I am a member of the cast or crew…

-I will not miss rehearsal unless I am absent from school AND have contacted a director in
advance. Students missing two unexcused rehearsals will result in re-casting or removal from
the show. This includes cast and crew.

I will be committed to the production by being an active participant as well as being an active
listener to all directions to use rehearsal time wisely.

Student Signature: ______________________________________

I give permission for _________________ to audition and participate, if selected, in this production

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________

Parent / Guardian E-mail: __________________________________________________________________

For Directors Only:

Stage Presence: 1 2 3 4 5
Diction: 1 2 3 4 5
Concentration: 1 2 3 4 5
 Cast of Characters
Mrs. Gulch – Demanding Literature Teacher
Jeff Chaucer – Student Newscaster
Christine Marlow – Student Newscaster
Bobby Burns – Student Newscaster
Gina – Student who plays Dr. Elvira Gulch
Hrothgar – Danish King
Beowulf – Heroic Warrior
Grendel – Swamp Monster
Mrs. Grendel – Grendels Mother
Unferth – Professional Taunter
Hygelac – King of Geatland
Queen – Hygelac’s wife
Thief – Steals treasure
Warriors (5) of Hrothgar’s Army
Wiglaf – Beowulfs Sidekick
Courtiers (3) of King Hygelac
Extras: Students, Dragons, etc.