1. Minimum age for this production is 16 years old when rehearsals start.
2. Audition time is strictly limited so use your time to show the panel what you can do. No extra time will be available. The panel will be looking for vocal quality, range and pitch as well as dramatic and movement ability.
3. Audition pieces should be well prepared. Remember, it is in your own interests to present yourself well.
4. An accompanist will be provided.
5. Singing unaccompanied or with a CD is not acceptable.
6. All auditions are private and may only be attended by the panel and auditionees.
7. Your singing audition will take about 5 mins and consists of you singing your selected song for the panel. The panel will evaluate your song selection on what we hear. We know what we are looking for, so don’t be concerned if you are not required to sing an entire song.  It means that we have enough information at this time.
8. Please don't apologise to the panel for the state of your health or your voice. We do take nerves and health into consideration!
9. Please printout and complete the last 2 pages (the audition form) of this document and attach your headshot (This is important and used for identification purposes only!) and bring this with you to your audition.
10. There will be recalls as required. Those required for a call back will be notified as soon as possible after the initial round of auditions.
11. All auditionees will be notified of the outcome of their audition as soon as possible.

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At the height of the Cold War, two chess masters meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, Chess tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves. Includes the international hit singles ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night In Bangkok’. Other well-known songs from the score include ‘Anthem’, 'Someone Else's Story', ‘Heaven Help my Heart’ and ‘Pity The Child’.

LEAD ROLES :

FREDERICK TRUMPER - American Grandmaster A gifted Chess prodigy, Trumper is probably the most talented player in the game, but an explosive temper and deep insecurities leave him vulnerable as both a player and a human being. Freddie is the ‘Bad Boy‘ who matures and aids Anatoly a year after his own defeat.
Vocal range: B♭2 to D♭5 (Tenor) Accent: American Age: Early 30s Dance Ability: Beginner

 FLORENCE VASSAY - Frederick‘s Lover/Second A Budapest-born immigrant, she flees to England as a young girl before moving to America to pursue her dream of playing Chess. Florence is as close to Freddie as anyone can be, but despite her support, he treats her terribly and pushes her right into the arms of his Russian rival, Anatoly. Florence is a woman in a man‘s world continuously forced to prove her place.
Vocal range: E♭3 to E5 (Mezzo-Soprano) Accent: English (with a hint of American) Age: Late 20s/Early 30s Dance Ability: Beginner

ANATOLY SERGIEVSKY - Russian Grandmaster Anatoly is a troubled husband who despises the propaganda and politics of the tournament, eventually deciding to defect from his homeland, even at the cost of deserting his family. Anatoly’s heart lies in his homeland, but his first passion is the game he loves – Chess… torn between love and duty and leaving everything behind for the woman he loves.
Vocal range: F2 to B♭4 (High Baritone) Accent: Russian Age: 35 - 40 Dance Ability: Mover

WALTER DE COURCEY - Head of the American delegation Walter is brought along by Freddie, to Florence's consternation. As a marketing consultant, he encourages Freddie's desire for money setting up multiple media and business opportunities for him. He is totally ruthless and without principles.
Vocal range: A♭2 to F4 (Baritone) Accent: American Age: 35 - 50 Dance Ability: Mover

ALEXANDER MOLOKOV - Head of the Russian delegation, Anatoly‘s Second. He  is manipulative, dark and quite dangerous. On the surface, he is a cuddly Russian bear, but not far down he is a snake. He speaks of loyalty and dedication to Anatoly, but displays none of these qualities himself. From his position of power in the political establishment, he tries to control every aspect of Anatoly’s game – and life.
Vocal range: F2 to A4 (Bass/Baritone) Accent: Russian Age: 30 - 50 Dance Ability: Mover/Beginner

ARBITER - President of the International Chess Federation The game’s referee, ensuring that the rules of Chess are upheld whatever is going on outside of the game. Smug, self-satisfied, officious and obsessive are all words that could describe the Arbiter.
Vocal range: B2 to A4 (Tenor range) Accent: English Age: 35 - 50 Dance Ability: Mover/Beginner

SVETLANA SERGIEVSKAYA - Anatoly’s wife Anatoly's estranged wife who, under Molokov's machinations, tries to persuade Anatoly to return to his homeland and family; although upset at Anatoly's betrayal, she also understands that Florence has given Anatoly something she could not.
Vocal range: F3 to E5 (Mezzo-Soprano) Accent: Russian Age: 25 - 35 Dance Ability: Mover/Beginner

ADDITIONAL ROLES MAYOR of Merano Songs: Merano/Rock Merano/Merano Reprise Accent: Italian Age: 40+ Dance Ability: Mover

REPORTERS Songs: Commie Newspapers/Press Conference, Anatoly and The Press/Anthem Accent: Multiple Age: Any Dance Ability: Beginner/Advanced

DELEGATES/CRONIES Songs: Diplomats, The Soviet Machine I & II Accent: Russian/American Age: Any Dance Ability: Beginner

MERCHANDISERS Songs: Merchandisers Accent: American Age: 18 - 30 Dance Ability: Beginner/Advanced

CIVIL SERVANTS Songs: Defection Scene, Embassy Lament (Barbershop Quartet style) Accent: American Age: Any Dance Ability: Mover/Beginner

LEONID VIIGAND - Russian Chess Champion (Act II) No singing or dancing required

Ensemble consisting of: Merano Citizens, Photographers, Interviewers/TV Personnel, Thai dancers, Night club dancers, and many Ensemble members, who also cover other diverse characters.

To give you an idea of just how much work is in this rock opera for everyone here is the song list with who is involved in each number.
As with most opera styles there is a huge amount of really good amount of chorus numbers that require good singing and acting.

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE 1

Prologue / The Story of Chess (Arbiter / Chorus)
2 A) Merano B) Rock Merano C) Merano Reprise (Mayor, Citzens, Frederick)
3 / 4 Commie Newspapers / Press Conference (Florence, Frederick, Reporters)
5 / 6 Anatoly & Molokov / Where I Want To Be (Anatoly, Molokov)
7 Diplomats (Molokov, Walter, Delegates)
8 / 9 Arbiter / Hymn To Chess (Arbiter, Chorus)
10 Merchandisers (Merchandisers)
11 A) Opening 1st Game B) Chess #1 (Instrumental)
12 Arbiter – Reprise (Arbiter, Chorus)
13 Quartet (Molokov, Florence, Arbiter, Anatoly)
14 Florence & Molokov (Florence, Molokov, Walter, Frederick)
15 (1956) Budapest Is Rising (Florence, Frederick, Chorus)
16 Nobody's Side (Florence, Chorus)
17 Der kleine Franz (Chorus)
18 Mountain Duet (Florence, Anatoly, Frederick)
19 A) Opening 2nd Game B) Chess #2 (Instrumental)
20 Florence Quits (Frederick, Florence)
21 Pity The Child (Frederick)
22 A) Defection Scene B) Embassy Lament (Civil Servants)
23 Heaven Help My Heart (Florence)
24 / 25 Anatoly And The Press / Anthem (Reporters, Anatoly)

ACT TWO

26 / 27 The Golden Bangkok / One Night In Bangkok (Frederick, Chorus)
28 / 29 One More Opponent / You And I (Anatoly, Florence)
30 The Soviet Machine Part I & II (Molokov, Cronies)
31 The Interview (Walter, Frederick, Anatoly)
32 The Deal A) Part 1 B) Part 2 C) Part 3 (Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Anatoly, Walter, Florence, Frederick)
33 I Know Him So Well (Florence, Svetlana)
34 Talking Chess (Monks, Frederick, Anatoly)
35 End Game A) Part 1 B) Part 2 C) Part 3 D) Part 4 (Molokov, Walter, Florence, Anatoly, Svetlana, Frederick, Chorus)
36 A) Russian & Florence At The Airport B) Scene Change To Airport C) You And I Reprise (Monks, Frederick, Anatoly)
37 A) Walter & Florence B) Epilogue C) Anthem Reprise (Walter, Florence, Company)