Question 1

When is my audition slot scheduled?

Accepted Answer

As per the timings shared in recent announcements/posts, the auditions schedule will be shared on, or before Thursday 9 January, with the auditions taking place on Sat/Sun 11-12 Jan.

Both the dance workshop on Sat 11 Jan, and the auditions on Sunday 12 Jan will take place at Sunmarke School, JVT (entrance location https://maps.app.goo.gl/MZjbk9VQPTQ4pcKSA with parking available at https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sk29uUXKXn5cjwYS6)

Question 2

Where/when will the auditions be held?

Accepted Answer

As per the timings shared in recent announcements/posts, the auditions schedule will be shared on, or before Thursday 18 January, with the auditions taking place on Sat/Sun 20-21 Jan.

Both the dance workshop on Sat 20 Jan (9-11am) and the auditions on Sunday 21 Jan will take place at Sunmarke School, JVT (entrance location https://maps.app.goo.gl/MZjbk9VQPTQ4pcKSA with parking available at https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sk29uUXKXn5cjwYS6)

Question 3

Can I audition for more than one role?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, but to a maximum of 2 roles.  Those of you that have already signed up for more than 2 roles will be asked which ones you want to read/sing for.

Of course, you can also express an interest in additional roles and the panel may consider you for those roles, should you not be successful in the ones you audition for, at their discretion

Question 4

If I audition for a specific role, will I be considered for others?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the audition panel might consider you for a different role to the ones you have signed up to try for, at their discretion

Question 5

Where can I find more information on the roles?

Accepted Answer

There is a brief character bio for all roles available on the audition info page, but we're keen to see you 'make it your own' at your audition!

Question 6

I am a professional actor/singer/dancer - can I audition for Guys & Dolls?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely!  We'd love to meet you, but please note that as a non-profit community theatre group, MTDXB does not pay any of our performers and taking part in one of our productions is on a voluntary basis

Question 7

Can I, or, my son/daughter, aged under 18 audition?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, MTDXB is currently an adults-only community group and as such we can't allow those under 18 years of age to audition or perform

Question 8

I'm already committed to another group/another production - can I still audition for Guys and Dolls?

Accepted Answer

While we can't stop you from doing so, we would strongly encourage you to commit fully to Guys and Dolls.  We've found from experience that when cast members are involved in multiple productions at the same time, it can have an impact on the flow of our rehearsals - especially if we need to add in a last-minute slot.

If you do want to take part in other productions and/or if attendance becomes an issue, MTDXB reserves the right to re-cast any role as is required.

Question 9

I’m going to see Coldplay on Friday/Saturday/Sunday: will the dance workshop finish in time/can my audition slot be planned around this?

Accepted Answer

We'll probably see you there!

The 2-hour dance workshop will be held on the morning of Saturday 11 Jan and will consist of a 1hr full-group session where you'll be taught a dance routine, and a 1hr session for smaller groups to present the routine to the panel.  We'll aim to be finished well-before lunchtime.

On Sunday 12 Jan, we'll allocate 5 minute slots (maximum of 2 per auditionee) and try to accomodate any specifc requests shared with us in advance, as best we can.

Question 10

What will happen at the auditions?

Accepted Answer

The 2-hour dance workshop will be held on the morning of Saturday 11 Jan and will consist of a 1hr full-group session where you'll be taught a dance routine, and a 1hr session for smaller groups to present the routine to the panel.  We'll aim to be finished well-before lunchtime.

On Sunday 12 Jan, we'll allocate 5 minute slots (maximum of 2 per auditionee) and try to accomodate any specifc requests shared with us in advance, as best we can.

You'll be auditioning to a panel of 7 - the full production team.  Don't worry, we don't bite and want you to be as relaxed as possible and to give it your best shot!

It'll be up to you to choose whether to read your lib first, or to sing first.

You'll have the backing track, as shared in the resources folders, and you won't have to sing the full song, but please be prepared to do so as we might ask you to sing a different section so that we can get a feel for your range/vocals, and how you might evoke different emotions!

If your character lib is a piece with multiple roles in the scene, members of the panel will read in those lines, and you can tell us if you want us to be blocked in any way, or if you're happy for the lines to be read from the panel's desk.

We're often asked if we expect auditionees to learn the lines/song off by heart or if sheet music is allowed during the audition.  It's really up to you - ideally, we'd like to see your full array of talent, and that's sometimes difficult to do if you're holding and reading from pieces of paper, but at the same time if it helps your confidence and you would feel better to have the sheets with you it's not a problem!

Note that we might have to arrange limited callbacks in the event that we would like to see an auditionee for a different role, or if we want to see 1 or more auditionees together, and that auditions will be recorded so that we can review as required as we make our casting decisions.

Question 11

Will there be any callbacks?

Accepted Answer

Note that we might have to arrange limited callbacks in the event that we would like to see an auditionee for a different role, or if we want to see 1 or more auditionees together, and that auditions will be recorded so that we can review as required as we make our casting decisions.

Question 12

What will happen after the auditions?

Accepted Answer

Once we've seen everyone we'll probably have some difficult decisions to make, but we're aiming to have our cast decided before the stroke of midnight.

If all goes according to plan, a cast list will be published online and shared via our Whatsapp Community (details below), and social media pages in the days that follow, with the first read-through for principal performers later soon afterwards.

If you're not already signed-up you can join our 'Unofficial Social Chat' group here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LC64Vx7tRUp2I9U4Bqm4Su

Due to the sheer volume of auditionees, we won't be able to contact everyone individually - regardless of whether you've been successful, or not -  so please do keep an eye on the above channels and if there's going to be any reasonable delay in making our announcement we'll let you know via the same channels.

Question 13

When will rehearsals be?

Accepted Answer

Please do keep in mind that if you're successful in joining the Guys & Dolls cast we'll be planning rehearsals as follows:

Tues/Thurs evenings (typically 7-9pm) for principals/featured roles to begin with, though ensemble will be asked to attend  as we progress towards the show itself
Sun mornings for ALL cast members.

It's also likely that additional weekday evening rehearsals will be called as the show approaches.

We do understand that you support MTDXB voluntarily and family/work commitments do sometimes get in the way of rehearsals, but we also expect that cast members do not miss too many rehearsals as this does inevitably have an impact on the quality of our finished product.  If you're auditioning to join the cast of Guys & Dolls, please plan to be available to attend rehearsals as required.

We'll share a 'black-out' date form early in the rehearsal process so you can notify us in advance if you know you won't be available for any given rehearsal.  Doing so will help us to plan our schedule effectively, so please make sure you keep us up to date if your plans change.

At the same time, if you're already planning a 3 week all-inclusive cruise in April/May, then that's probably not going to be very helpful as we plan in additional rehearsals and preparation for show-week ... if that's you, please consider if you're able to commit to the show and the demands of a busy rehearsal period.  If in any doubt, please chat to one of the production team.

Please note that if attendance at rehearsals becomes an issue, MTDXB reserves the right to re-cast any role as is required.

Question 14

On the days that we would “need to be available” in May, at what time of the day would I be needed?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry ... we've all got day jobs!  Call-time on weekdays during the performance period will be around 5:30pm/6pm.  Weekends will involve earlier call-times and as a cast member you'll also be expected to support the team during get-in and get-out activities as planned (typically weekend days).

Please do keep in mind that if you're successful in joining the Guys & Dolls cast we'll be planning rehearsals as follows:

Tues/Thurs evenings (typically 7-9pm) for principals/featured roles to begin with, though ensemble will be asked to attend  as we progress towards the show itself
Sun mornings for ALL cast members

We do understand that you support MTDXB voluntarily and family/work commitments do sometimes get in the way of rehearsals, but we also expect that cast members do not miss too many rehearsals as this does inevitably have an impact on the quality of our finished product.  If you're auditioning to join the cast of Guys & Dolls, please plan to be available to attend rehearsals as required.

We'll share a 'black-out' date form early in the rehearsal process so you can notify us in advance if you know you won't be available for any given rehearsal.  Doing so will help us to plan our schedule effectively, so please make sure you keep us up to date if your plans change.

At the same time, if you're already planning a 3 week all-inclusive cruise in April/May, then that's probably not going to be very helpful as we plan in additional rehearsals and preparation for show-week ... if that's you, please consider if you're able to commit to the show and the demands of a busy rehearsal period.  If in any doubt, please chat to one of the production team, if attendance becomes an issue, MTDXB reserves the right to re-cast any role as is required.

Question 15

I have a silly question/one that's not already been addressed!

Accepted Answer

You're probably not the only one - please reach out to any of the production team directly, or send us an email to musicalsdxb@gmail.com

Guys & Dolls Q&As

When is my audition slot scheduled?

Where/when will the auditions be held?

Can I audition for more than one role?

If I audition for a specific role, will I be considered for others?

Where can I find more information on the roles?

I am a professional actor/singer/dancer - can I audition for Guys & Dolls?

Can I, or, my son/daughter, aged under 18 audition?

I'm already committed to another group/another production - can I still audition for Guys and Dolls?

I’m going to see Coldplay on Friday/Saturday/Sunday: will the dance workshop finish in time/can my audition slot be planned around this?

What will happen at the auditions?

Will there be any callbacks?

What will happen after the auditions?

When will rehearsals be?

On the days that we would “need to be available” in May, at what time of the day would I be needed?

I have a silly question/one that's not already been addressed!