MONROE, La. — The ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) has announced its spring 2017 production—Pippin.
Pippin tells the story of a young prince in his quest for life. The story is told by a Leading Player and his mysterious performance troupe. The music and lyrics were composed by Stephen Schwartz and the book was written by Roger Hirson. Bob Fosse directed the original production on Broadway for which Ben Vereen and Patina Miller won Tony Awards. Vereen and Miller won Tonys again for the 2013 revival of Pippin.
ULM performance dates are March 23-25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. and March 26, 2017 at 2 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in Feb. 2017.
VAPA will hold an audition workshop on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. in Brown Theater for individuals wishing to audition for a role in Pippin. The workshop will help them select an audition song, teach a little of the choreography for the production, and some participants will be asked to read from the Pippin script. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement and jazz, character, or tennis shoes.
The actual auditions will take place on Nov. 20, 2016, at 1 p.m. in Brown Theater. All individuals wishing to audition are asked to prepare 16 to 32 bars from a musical theater selection in the style of Pippin and be dressed to dance. An accompanist will be provided for the audition, so no acapella or taped music will be allowed. No prepared dance routine is required. Some individuals will be asked to remain after the dance session to read from the Pippin script.
The auditions are also for those individuals who wish to be part of the technical staff, helping build the sets, costumes, lights, and sound. All ULM technical staff will be there to answer questions regarding the technical side of the production.
For more information, contact Robin Stephens at stephens@ulm.edu.