A note from the directing team of "The Will Rogers Follies"

Dear students,

As we prepare for the musical production of “The Will Rogers Follies,” we would like to make some recommendations.

In past years we have been disappointed in the lack of preparation for the auditions. This is the time to put your best foot forward. Roles are not pre-cast. Every role is open. Many of the things we take into account are: the look needed for each character, appropriate acting style, vocal quality, movement ability, and PREPARATION. We also take into consideration other things we have noticed in the past productions and performances involving all fine arts groups. Traits such as attitude, work ethic, trust, and positivity play a huge role in our decisions also. YOU ARE ALWAYS AUDITIONING.

We hope you have been developing your vocal skills during the summer. Some students come back to school, audition for the roles, and are not called back. In most cases it is because the vocals are not prepared well, and students haven’t taken the time to understand the different roles. For this particular production the vocal quality has to be exact and impressive. If you come prepared vocally, and understand the roles, you may have a better chance for a call back. For each role, there is a specific look we are looking for. Also, take note of the acting styles needed for each role.

We have listed the lead roles below. There are other roles that will be cast as needed. Please, please use the rest of the summer to prepare.


Principle Characters and Vocal Ranges for “The Will Rogers Follies”

Will Rogers (warm baritone, low Ab - F, moves well) – star of the Ziegfeld Follies, strong, charismatic performer with the ability to entertain the audience with a natural and calming charm, and a grand twinkle in his eyes; knowledge or willingness to learn to spin a rope; ability to play guitar-elementary guitar is a plus. Must deliver many long monologues, with ability to improvise on current events. Must have a natural and realistic delivery and acting style. Age: 30’s.

Betty Blake (alto Low F - E flat, moves well) - Will's wife, attractive, down-to-earth, engaging warm actress with the ability to sing many musical styles from romantic ballads to belted torch songs, stunning, strong performer. Must have a natural and realistic delivery and acting style. Age: 30’s.

Clem Rogers (character baritone, B to E, comic, moves well) - Will's father, mature actor with strong comic chops, also doubles as Will's butler and ranch pianist (does not actually have to play the piano); gruff and stern, but also able to give fatherly advice. Age: 50’s.

Ziegfeld's Favorite (belter, low G-mid B flat, schwanky mover) - a beautiful show girl, sexy, long-legged and statuesque, with strong comic chops. Age: 20’s.

Wiley Post – Pilot of Will’s ill-fated airplane, who watches the Follies, exhorting our hero with “Let’s go flying, Will!” Age: 30’s-50’s.

Will’s 6 Sisters – Show girls who sing

Will and Betty’s Children – all sing and dance with Will and Betty: we’re looking for four adorable, precocious kids! (ages are approximate; limited rehearsal)
Will Jr., 10 – 12
Mary, 8 – 11
James, 7 – 10
Freddy, 7 – 10