Auditions and technical theatre work for the Southwestern College production of Monty Python’s “Spamalot” have been opened up to area high school and community college students, announces Tim Shook, chair of SC’s performing arts division. 

The musical, which will be performed March 5, 7, and 8, has been chosen as a major project by the theatre, music, and dance faculty.   

A reading of “Spamalot” will be held at 6:30 on Monday, Jan. 12, in the Helen Graham Little Theatre for those who want to know the show as well as more about auditions and technical opportunities.    Auditions will follow in Southwestern’s Richardson Performing Arts Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 13 and 14, at 6:30 p.m.  Recall auditions will be Jan. 15 at the same time.

Rehearsals will begin Jan. 16, and continue thru March 4, with rehearsals Monday through Thursdays from 6:30-10 and on Fridays from 3:30 to 7 p.m.  Technical work on the production will be done during the afternoons, evenings, and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Spamalot” became a major Broadway hit in 2005 when it received 14 Tony award nominations and three awards including Best Musical. It is adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”  Though the stage musical differs in many ways from the film, it is true to Monty Python’s highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend.

“The musical, which pursues ‘the holy grail,’ is a new step for us in collaboration and quality,” said director of theatre, Allyson Moon, “and is a significant step as we pursue our quest to create the highest quality education for our students in musical theatre studies.  We are thrilled to be working with Southwestern’s outstanding new music faculty, who have great talent, skill, and passion for collaboration and musical theatre.  We hope working and performing in ‘Spamalot’ will be an opportunity for area community and high school students to experience the great prospects possible for educational futures here at SC.”

“Area students who have an interest in studying and/or working in musical theatre,” continues Moon, “will have a chance to work with our excellent music faculty, including Dr. Brian Winnie, director of choral activities and vocal; Dr. Amber Peterson, professor of music for strings education and conductor of the South Kansas Symphony; and Stephen Butler, instructor of music theory, pianist, and accompanist for the production, along with seasoned theatre professor Roger Moon, director of the production, and Yazmin Wood, Southwestern’s instructor of dance, who will be choreographing the production.  They are a force of talent that we want area high school and community college students to have an opportunity to work with before they make their college decision.”

“It is not uncommon that area students who want to study theatre, music, or other academic areas think that they need to go ‘away’ to find high quality education in these areas.  We want to give them a chance to get a taste of working with SC’s faculty and students before they decide,” Moon added.

In addition to performance opportunities, technical students from area high schools and community colleges will have the opportunity to work with Lee Jones, Southwestern’s new technical director who will be designing sets for the production, and theatre professor Allyson Moon, who will be designing costumes and leading their construction.

To prepare for auditions director Roger Moon, musical director Brian Winnie, and choreographer Yazmin Wood invite those who would like to audition to prepare in the following way:

Those auditioning for major roles and/or building audition skills should prepare to both sing and perform a short monologue or scene.  They are asked to sing 16-20 bars of two musical theatre songs, one up-tempo and one ballad, that are not from the musical “Spamalot.” Those auditioning should bring a copy of their music to the auditions.       

“Spamalot” is contemporary musical theatre, featuring a mash-up of musical styles and genres throughout the cast and musical numbers. The songs are a relatively easily accessible musical theatre style, so Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, or a rock musical would not necessarily fit this show. If actors have in mind a specific role that is of interest (for instance King Arthur or the Lady of the Lake) audition selections should showcase appropriate vocal quality and agility. If actors are not interested in a particular role, those auditioning should still choose songs that best fit the style, range, and character roles in “Spamalot,” as well as their own.

In preparation for auditions actors should prepare a monologue of 1/1½ minutes in length from a musical theatre comedy, or a 2-3 minute scene with another person who is auditioning.  A musical comedy monologue or scene is most appropriate, and again, these scenes and monologues should not be from “Spamalot.”  If actors are not interested in a particular role, they should still choose material that is appropriate in age, character, and style of characters from this production.

Dance auditions will be led by choreographer Yazmin Wood who will teach a short dance to give an opportunity for all show dance skills and experience.  No preparation is necessary.

Those who are auditioning for chorus and small non-speaking roles may audition by coming to auditions where they will learn a short dance and section of a song from “Spamalot.”  They may also read for a small speaking role from a scene provided at the auditions. 

“While we are seeking the best cast for the production,” says Roger Moon, “we also want to have a good time.  Auditions may be the scariest part of the theatre process, and Dr. Winnie and I both want our students, as well as high school and community college students, to be at ease so that they can do their best, while they continue to grow and learn.”

Those who are not familiar with the musical may find both the film and songs from the stage musical available for viewing and listening through various mediums. 

Those who have questions may contact Roger Moon at roger.moon@sckans.edu or (620) 262-7700, or e-mail Brian Winnie at brian.winnie@sckans.edu.