Variety Show

This year’s Variety Show, The 50th Anniversary Variety Show Celebration,  is to be performed February 19th-22nd, 2025. We look forward to as many people as possible auditioning for the varied aspects of this show. Following is a list of information and suggestions to aid in structuring a successful audition.

GROUND RULES

Auditionees must be students of Glenbrook South with flexible extracurricular commitments for January and February. Sign up for your audition times online at bit.ly/vshow2025 from November 25 through January 11. All auditions are closed (not open to the public, family, or peers) and no videotaping is allowed in the audition space. Once cast, each act will be scheduled for a combination of after school, evening, school holiday, and weekend rehearsals by their Act Director in order to edit the act for fit within the production. Intensive final rehearsals begin Saturday, February 2, 2025. Each cast member must check the rehearsal schedule posted by their Act Director for changes and attend scheduled rehearsals promptly. Further details provided at the first cast meeting on Wednesday, January 15 after Finals.

CREATING A SUCCESSFUL AUDITION

Our job is to cast the most dynamic, entertaining acts from a large pool of talented students. Here’s what you can do to knock our socks off and stand the best chance of getting cast!

• Choose an act related to the theme of The 50th Anniversary Variety Show Celebration.
• Keep your act short (2 minutes and 30 seconds or less).
• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Be performance-ready!
• Examine and prepare all details of your act: costuming, props, music, accompanist, act name, vision, etc.
• Live vocals only - no lip-syncing. Live instrumentation is also preferred; karaoke tracks should also be avoided.
• Groups are wonderful; solo/duet casting is difficult and rare.
• Check material and lyric content; you will be asked to copy and paste your lyrics at the audition. Lyrics must have wide audience appeal and appropriate subject while remaining relevant to the theme of CELEBRATION.
• Be creative! Show off your talents. Combine various elements…this is a variety show!
• See previous Variety Shows and Behind the Scenes packages at vimeo.com/gbstv for a better understanding of what has been done before and how you can best rehearse your act.
• Be professional! You should be prompt, prepared, and courteous throughout the audition and rehearsal process.
• HAVE FUN!

“50th ANNIVERSARY VARIETY SHOW CELEBRATION”

Below are some ideas related to this year’s show which may help to develop an act.

• Fiftieth Anniversary: Golden Jubilee, Golden Anniversary, Gold, halfway to 100
• Glenbrook South: Blue and Gold, Tommy the Titan, Titans, Glenview, high school
• Variety Show: any previous theme or act, tradition, excellence, community
• Celebration: party, gathering, joy, commemoration
• We encourage you to think “outside of the box” - find a way to connect what you have to share with the theme in order to create a unique and engaging act!

NOTE: The song title doesn’t have to include the words “50th Anniversary Variety Show Celebration” to be considered acceptable. Think more of the theme and its connection to the above ideas rather than the literal word itself. Be creative and find a way to create something that is brand new!

SINGER/DANCERS

AUDITIONS: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 3:30-5 p.m. (Dancing) & Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 3:30-6 p.m. (Singing)
To be considered for Singer/Dancers, you must participate in both the dancing audition on Tuesday as well as a singing audition on Wednesday. Dancing auditions will be held in the auditorium. Choreography will be taught at the dancing audition, so please wear appropriate dance attire. More information can be found in the Audition Packet available in the SAO and Choir Room. Sign up for an audition time here: bit.ly/bussd25.

BACK-UP SINGERS

AUDITIONS: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 3:30-6 p.m.
Back-Up Singer and Singer/Dancer vocal auditions will take place in the GBS Choir Room (Room 1404). All Singer/Dancer and Back-up Singer candidates must complete this singing audition. Music excerpts must be obtained in the SAO and Choir Room. Auditions will be in groups; you will sing in front of others auditioning in your time slot. Be prepared to stay for your entire time slot. Memorize and perform your music. The excerpts chosen represent SOME of the solos available in the show, and callbacks will be held at a later date for these soloist opportunities. Sign up for an audition time here: bit.ly/bussd25.

COMEDY TROUPE

AUDITIONS: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:30-6:00 p.m. Callbacks Wednesday, December 18.
Auditions will take place in the Drama/Dance Room 1422. Interested students should join the Google Classroom before the auditions where audition materials will be shared. Google Classroom: yylcduy.

PLUGGED BANDS

AUDITIONS: Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 3:30-5 p.m.
These auditions will be held in the auditorium. Amps, keyboard, piano, drum set, and mics will be provided. We are looking for performance quality, vocal balance, creativity, and varied musical styles. Use the suggestions on the front of this sheet as a guideline. A room for unplugged tuning will be available to each band before their audition time. Sign up for an audition time here: bit.ly/vshow2025.

VARIETY ACTS

AUDITIONS: Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
These auditions will be held in the auditorium. These include all the true variety acts: humorous or dramatic skits, singing, dancing, videos, magic, juggling, unplugged bands ONLY (see plugged bands above). Piano, audio playback, and mics will be provided for you. Don’t be concerned with fitting into a mold. Use the suggestions on the other side as a guideline. Show your strengths and talents. Sign up for an audition time here:  bit.ly/vshow2025.

“CELEBRATION” PRODUCTION STAFF

The following staff members are working as a team on the show and may be present at your auditions:

Dr. Mark Maranto (Producer), Ms. Marla Lampert (Co-Director; Act Director), Mr. Robby Shellard (Co-Director; Act Director), Mr. Rich Winship (Set/Lighting Designer; Technical Director), Mr. Dan Gregerman (Act Director; Vocal Director), Mrs. Stacia Soeldner (S/D Director), Mr. Brian Boron (Pit Band Director; Act Director), Mr. Joe Karlovsky (Act Director; Comedy Troupe Director),  Ms. Jenna Repkin (Act Director; Freshman Act Director), Ms. Masha Gasyuchenko (Asst. S/D Director), Ms. Rachel Atlas (Act Director), Ms. Helen Neppl (Video Director), Mr. Graham Jackson (Sound Designer/Engineer), Mrs. JoEllen Flener (Costumer).

If you have any questions or ideas you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact Mr. Shellard in Fine Arts (rshellard@glenbrook225.org). Remember that any suggestions or recommendations will not assure you a place in the Variety Show, but could help save you hours of rehearsal time. We look forward to seeing you at auditions! Good luck!
 

Thank you to everyone that auditioned! You represented yourselves and your school well and made our casting decision very difficult. The groups below are cast in the show and all act members along with Freshman Act, Stage Crew, Pit Band, BUS, S/D, and Comedy Troupe are expected to be at the mandatory meeting on Wednesday 1/15 from 11:30am - 12:30pm in the GBS Auditorium. Act members seeking feedback on their auditions are welcome to reach out to Dr. Maranto (mmaranto@glenbrook225.org).      

Tickets can be purchased in the Student Activities Office or at www.cur8.com.