The Headgate Young Company (HYC) is a group of young creatives who take part in weekly workshops and undertake all responsibilities within their own productions.
Their next production is A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness.
Directed by the award-winning Paul T. Davies, (Frankenstein), with the award-winning Headgate Young Company, this will be a show not to be missed!!
Production week: 30th June – 7th July 2024 (performances 3rd – 7th July)
Rehearsal days: Thursdays 7-10pm and Sundays 4-7pm from 11th April
There’s a yew tree at the bottom of Conor’s garden, and in it there is a Monster. An elemental force, one night it appears at his window and tells him “I will tell you three stories from when I walked the earth… and when I have finished my three stories, you will tell me a fourth. And it will be the truth.”
Real life is a struggle for Connor, can he face up to the truth? Can a Monster save his mother’s life? To bring this magical and powerful story to life, we need a company ready to devise and tell the stories, to bring nature alive! With doubling up and multi-rolling, the size of the cast will be variable.
There’s information on Creative and Technical roles HERE
You can download a PDF of this information HERE
AUDITIONS
Performance participants should be aged between 16 on the 28th June 2024, and under 21 at the end of September 2024. We reserve the right to cast outside these parameters if we cannot fill the roles at the audition stage.
The auditions for this production will take place at The Headgate on
- Saturday 10th February 1 – 4pm Book your audition place HERE
- Sunday 18th February 10am – 1pm Book your audition place HERE
The online bookings will close at 4pm on the Friday preceding the audition date.
There will be no requirement to prepare any text in advance. Auditionees should be prepared to undertake movement activities within the audition. Please ensure that you have appropriate footwear.
If you can’t attend either of the audition dates, please contact dawn@headgatetheatre.co.uk
Cast
Conor – playing age approx. 13/14
Grandma – eccentric, understands nature
Conor’s Mum – battling cancer
THE MONSTER – any age, any gender
Dad/Ensemble – Conor’s remote father
Anton/Ensemble – schoolboy
Miss Godfrey/Ensemble – school teacher
Mr Marl/Ensemble – English teacher
Sully/Ensemble- schoolboy, Harry’s sidekick
Harry/Ensemble – school bully
Lily/Ensemble – school pupil, defends Conor
NB: The ensemble will create the stories the Monster tells and play all other parts.
Gender fluidity will be a factor in casting. There is a considerable amount of movement within the production, but those with physical disabilities should not be discouraged from applying.
Other Information
- We will aim to notify everyone of the outcome of the auditions by the 23rd February. Keep an eye on your emails (including junk mail folders).
- Rehearsals will start on 11th April, but not everyone will be called to every rehearsal in the early stages. When you come for your audition, please be prepared to complete a form stating what dates you are NOT available for rehearsals. Repeated non-attendance may result in us having to recast the part.
- Scripts for successful auditionees will be provided.
- If cast, you will be required to provide suitable footwear for your character, and your own makeup.
- There is no registration or performance fee for HYC members
PRODUCTION SUPPORT
We are also inviting expressions of interest from young people aged from 16 up to age 25 to take on various roles to help create this production. If you are interested in any of the areas listed below, then please email dawn@headgatetheatre.co.uk and we will get back to you.
- Assistant to Director Depending on the experience of any applicants, the AD will be allocated sections of the play to direct. Anyone interested in this role should provide a brief statement about previous experience or why you think that you should be considered. You should be available for at least one rehearsal per week.
- Assistant to Movement Director A background in dance is desirable. Will need to attend specific rehearsals by agreement.
- Stage Management team This will require at least two people, possibly three, and between you the team should be able to provide at least one person should be able to support all rehearsals. Training will be provided.
- Props This will require the making and sourcing of stage properties. There are opportunities here for some items to be part of practical course work for those younger people, and some items will be needed for rehearsal purposes as well as the production, so timescales can be flexible.
- Sound design and sound operatives Working closely with the composer of the music, the sound designer will need to attend rehearsals and production meetings, and training sessions with our lead sound technician. The theatre uses SCS software, but there is capacity for CueLab to be used. Designer must be available for the “get in” on 30th June/1st July. Operator if different need to be available across production period.
- Lighting design and operatives. We already have individuals identified for this, but are happy to receive expressions of interest from others who may wish to participate in training linked to this production.
- Rehearsal photography and promotional video. This person would need to be able to attend some rehearsals on a planned basis, and produce material for social media and general marketing.
- Costume Although the production is set in modern times, a costume design plan and costume sourcing is required. Support will be given from our costume team, but we do need a production co-ordinator.
- Rehearsal Prompt To attend rehearsal and as the process develops to assist the actors and director with the script learning. May be asked to act as prompt during the production itself.