Information Provided Below

• Audition Information
• Audition Tips
• Audition Materials
• Technical Student Information
• Rehearsal/Performance Information
• Steps to Sign Up
• Synopsis
• Character List

Audition Information

For this production we will be singing parts of popular 1940s songs and there will be some dance, but the VAST majority of the show is acting.  

• Acting – Shakespeare wrote his plays in verse which can be intimidating, but you should approach it like any other monologue. It’s important that the actor make the words his/her own. Much Ado is a comedy. As such, you should make big choices for your character and physicality, while remaining true to the text. Don’t take it too seriously, because that will be boring.

•  Singing – You will chose a short section (30-40 seconds) of song to sing with a track that you provide. Great choices would be from the 1940s bandstand/swing genre, but if you have something else prepared, that will be fine, too.

• Dancing – Although there will be some dance, there will be no dance audition. Ms. Johnna will create choreography that fits the ability of the actors and mood of the scene.

Audition Tips

• No part belongs to anyone until the cast list has been published. There is no pre-casting.
  
  
• Everyone should fight for the role s/he wants. (By being prepared, focused, and working hard) 

• You are always auditioning - I'm looking for people I can trust. I want to know that you're going to fulfill whatever job/role you get to the best of your ability (you are at rehearsals, on time, and prepared), that you're going to be kind to the people around you, and you will have a positive attitude. 

• To memorize or not to memorize? Always a popular question. We do not require memorization. That said, the more familiar you are with the material, the more effective your audition will be. 

• Be as familiar with the play and the characters as is possible. The script is available on the Drama Club BAND app and the Much Ado BAND app (which you’ll get a link to when you sign up for auditions). 

• Be confident – even if you have never done this before, walk into the audition as if you own the place. 

• Make bold choices – you need to show us your stuff. These are bigger than life characters, don’t just stand and speak. 

• You will be the only student in the room during your audition. You will be auditioning for the directors. You will walk into the room and hand us your audition form that the stage manager hands you when you sign in. You will slate (name, grade, part) and then sing your song and then perform your monologue. Do not be surprised if the directors have you has you sing some scales. We need to have a clear idea of your vocal range. We may or may not also ask you to make an adjustment and perform part of your monologue again. Either way does not reflect on how well you’re doing in your audition. 

• You may be nervous. That is a good thing. The key is to channel your nerves into good positive energy. It is important to remember that the directors want you to succeed and we’re rooting for you.

Audition Materials

• Prepare one of the provided monologues
• Choose/bring 30-40 seconds of a song to be sung with a track; we'll have a speaker.

Tech Students 

• We're looking for people to train in all technical areas. Here is a list of the different areas of responsibilities.

• Stage Manager – attends all rehearsals, in charge of show once it opens. Calls cues, manages all backstage activities.
  
  

• Assistant Stage Manager(s) – assists SM in all rehearsals and backstage activities. 
  
  

• Set Construction Head – assists Mr. Chip in construction of the set. Also leads stage crew.
  
  

• Light Head –designs, hangs and focuses the show. Oversees light crew and operates board during the run of the show. 
  
  

• Sound Head – designs and executes the sound design. Helps mic the cast. Oversees crew and operates board during the run of the show.
  
  

• Props Head – secures all props for show, coordinates prop crew for run of show.
  
  

• Make-Up Head/ Coordinator - will work closely with our cast, in charge of make-up execution during the run of the show and the makeup crew. 
  
  

• Costume Head – designs and acquires costumes, oversees the costume crew and in charge of helping actors manage costumes for run of show.
  
  

• Light Crew – Operates follow-spots for the run of the show.
   

• Sound Crew – operates sound board for run of show. Also serves as microphone wrangler, coordinating equipment with sound head during run of show.
  
  

• Run Crew – responsible for moving set pieces and scenery on and off-stage during run of show. Expected at all set build days.
  
  

• Prop Crew – responsible for assisting with managing all props during the run of the show. May be part of run crew; a great entry point for Pope Theater
  
  

• Costume/Make-up Crew – assist actors with costumes and make-up during run of show. 

• You're expected at 1st rehearsal, the designer run (TBD), set builds, production meetings that are about an hour and half every other week, tech week, performances, and strike.  

• There will also be training workshops throughout the season for you to attend in the different technical fields. 

• Follow the same sign up procedure listed below. 

• If you want to be head tech for a department (props, costumes, etc.), sign up for an interview on August 11.

Rehearsal/Performance Information

If there are conflicts between this form and the Google Calendar, the Google Calendar wins.

Please be honest about conflicts. You'll find the Pope Theater calendar which includes rehearsal and performance dates here: Calendar; Anything labeled OA is One Act.  Please take the time to compare this to your family calendar/sports calendars, etc.  We do our best to list all of our rehearsal, set build/strike, and performance dates ahead of time, but reserve the right to adjust as needed.  

Audition date: Aug. 10, 3:45p - 6:00p

Callbacks: Aug. 11, 3:45p - 6:00p

Rehearsals: Aug 12 – Oct 13 – M, T, W, 3:45p-6:45p

Tech Rehearsals: Oct 14 – Oct 20, 3:30p-9p

Performances: Oct. 21-23

Region Competition: Oct. 24 (all day)

State One Act Competition (if we win region): Nov. 14 or 21 @ a TBD location

For the 2026-27 Season, we are submitting to perform at Thescon. Thescon is February 4-6, 2027. We will be fundraising to help with costs.

Fee: $230 + $50 refundable volunteer fee; Due Aug. 14 

If finances are an issue, please reach out to Mrs. Jones @ rachel.jones@cobbk12.org or to the treasurer at popetheaterbc@gmail.com for assistance.

Sign up

1. Create a Membership Toolkit Login
   • 1x only for your life in Drama Club.
   • If you have one from another club/PTSA you can use it.
   • Click "Register/Login" button in the middle of the home screen.
   • Follow the prompts.
   • If you've already created a login, but don't remember your password, use "Forgot Password"
2. Join Drama Club (You do this once a year.)
3. Complete "One Act Interest Form" under New Forms
   • My Account to My Forms to One Act Interest Form
4. Sign up for an audition time (if you're an actor) under "Auditions & Other Sign-up Opportunities"
5. Sign up for an interview if you want to be a tech head under "Auditions & Other Sign-up Opportunities"
6. Make sure you check your confirmation email for the link to join the BAND app. This is how we communicate.

Synopsis

The script is available on Drama Club BAND

Our production will be set in the 1940s featuring fun period music.

The war is over. Pedro, Prince of Aragon, with his followers Benedick and Claudio, visits Leonato, Duke of Messina, father of Hero and uncle of Beatrice.

Claudio falls in love with Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. Beatrice and Benedick despise love and engage in comic banter. The others plot to make them fall in love with each other, by a trick in which Benedick will overhear his friends talking of Beatrice's supposed secret love for him, and vice versa.

Meanwhile Don John, the prince's misanthropic illegitimate brother, contrives a more malicious plot with the assistance of his follower Borachio: Claudio is led to believe that he has witnessed Hero in a compromising situation on the night before her wedding day – in fact it is her maid Margaret with Borachio.

Claudio denounces Hero during the marriage ceremony. She faints and on the advice of the Friar, who is convinced of her innocence, Leonato announces that she is dead. Beatrice demands that Benedick should kill Claudio.

The foolish constable Dogberry and his watchmen overhear Borachio boasting of his exploit and the plot is exposed.

Claudio promises to make amends to Leonato: he is required to marry a cousin of Hero's in her place. When unmasked, she is revealed as Hero. Beatrice agrees to marry Benedick.

Character List