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HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION

June 6th at 7:30pm, June 7th at 7:30pm and June 8th at 3pm
Foothills Performing Arts Center
Hadestown for website (971 x 446 px).jpg

In a production that feels like it was meant just for us here at ORPHEUS Theatre…, we are so grateful to bring the story of Orpheus to life on our stage! This powerful tale will challenge our talented young actors in ways they’ve never experienced before. Hadestown: Teen Edition delivers a hauntingly beautiful score and explores profound themes of love, defiant hope, and perseverance that echo in our own theatre’s name.

Join Orpheus and Eurydice, King Hades, and Lady Persephone on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, where powerful messages lie at the heart of the story.

With its hauntingly beautiful score and lyrics that speak to our deepest hopes, Hadestown: Teen Edition invites us to "see how the world could be in spite of the way that it is." It’s not just about the love story—it’s about resilience, perseverance, and finding light in the darkest of places: "Some birds sing when the sun shines bright. Our praise is not for them, but the ones who sing in the dead of night."

Accompanied by a live band, our teens (ages 13-18 at time of show) will bring this unforgettable folk opera to life next June. This is a production that will move you, stir your soul, and stay with you long after the final note. For fans of Broadway musicals, this is a must-see experience.

Join us for Hadestown: Teen Edition. This is your chance to be part of something truly legendary. The journey begins in January!

Performances: June 6, 7, & 8 on the Mainstage of the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. Registration December 1 - 7. Auditions will be held on January 11th at 6pm. Rehearsals will start Sundays,  January 26, 12-5pm at the Orpheus Theatre Southside Mall rehearsal space.

How to Audition:

  1. Register Online: Visit our website between December 1st and December 7th to sign up for auditions. There is no limit to how many can register, but you must be registered to attend the auditions.

  2. Prepare: Review the character information and audition information to prepare.

  3. Audition: Show us your talent on January 11th at 6pm!

  4. Casting: We’ll select a cast of approximately 20 actors. You will be notified via email.

  5. Accept and Join: Accept your role within 2 days and pay the tuition of $350 ($300 for siblings) (scholarships and payment plans available) to secure your spot in the program.

*Students interested in being involved behind the scenes will simply register by choosing “Backstage/production” on the registration form. Tuition is $150.

 

Production Team:

Director: Jill Lehmann

Assistant Director: Fred Ploutz

Vocal coach: Dan Chien

Choreographer: Angela Miller

Stage Manager: Morgan Dutcher

*WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS

All those participating in auditions will be asked to sing a section of “Wait for Me (Reprise)” for their initial audition piece.

Wait for Me Reprise

Measure 9 – 23

Start after Hermes says: “And a mind to its undoing”

“Wait for me…so can we, Show the Way”

https://youtu.be/8u1vfsNpVpA?si=DLY9gFU_6cVKFbMG&t=20 until 0:47

The music director will go over this piece on the day of auditions, but it is highly recommended to review it in advance. Additional callback cuts for characters are also listed below in the character descriptions. The creative team will ask some to sing from those cuts on the day of auditions as well, so it is advisable to be familiar with those, too. A link to the songs on YouTube can be found below, along with directional notes. Actors will be asked to learn an excerpt of choreography from the show, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear (no sandals, crocs, etc) to allow for comfortable movement.

Watch this fun video clip introducing the myth of Hades & Persephone and Orpheus & Eurydice: https://youtu.be/920HttIjxzg?si=I2ePl44T6REhfYEV

Sheet music: https://www.scribd.com/document/725057369/Hadestown-Score

  • Orpheus
    (Tenor with strong falsetto) A dreamer and hopeless romantic, Orpheus is a musician with an otherworldly talent – his music has the power to charm animals, change the course of rivers, and cause action in trees & rocks. He’s got big ideas about love and believes that music can change the world. Orpheus is sensitive, passionate, innocent, someone who sometimes gets lost in his own world, and a little naïve—he always sees the good in people, even when it’s hard. His journey shows the power of hope and the risks of following your heart, even when the odds are against you. Traits: Optimistic, artistic, sensitive, loves deeply, courageous yet vulnerable. Epic III, Measures 35-52 “But you knew that you wanted to take her home…lalala” https://youtu.be/8c05EMeY2E8?si=jnnNS5nUiu6zqgHD&t=89 until 2:19 *Showcase Orpheus’ poetry, sensitivity, hope, and empathy, conveying innocence & passion.
  • Eurydice
    (Mezzo-Soprano/Alto) Strong and independent, Eurydice is street-smart and knows how to survive in a world that isn’t always kind. She’s tough but has a softer side when it comes to Orpheus, though her need for security sometimes gets in the way of her desires. Eurydice is caught between following her heart or making practical choices, making her a relatable character for anyone who's ever struggled to find balance in life. Traits: Independent, practical, tough, realist, conflicted, yearning for love and stability. Gone, I’m Gone, Measures 1-8 Beginning to “I’m already gone” https://youtu.be/klxpPKqi4Cw?si=oyxpZPJtu5rzWbz6 until 0:37 AND: Flowers, Measure 13-14 “Like a petal on a stream…a feather on the air.” https://youtu.be/G2iTZXSJCzw?si=r9C9rCm96P3JGLtz&t=32 until 0:40 AND All I’ve Ever Known, Measures 71-75 “Now I wanna hold you, Hold you tight. I don’t wanna go back to the lonely life” https://youtu.be/L5A__1-QK4w?si=SfnrbnnRFVLhFTxb&t=98 until 1:50 *Showcase Eurydice’s conflicted feelings of love and fear of instability, displaying her vulnerability, independence, and underlying sadness of leaving Orpheus showcasing her character’s softness and also stronger emotions (hunger!).
  • Hades
    Hades (Bass) The intimidating ruler of the underworld, Hades is powerful and calculating. He runs his kingdom with an iron fist, always yearning for more, but beneath his cold exterior, there’s a complex character who longs for control and order. Traits: Commanding, mysterious, powerful, obsessed with control, cold yet hiding vulnerability. ​ Hey, Little Songbird, Measures 18 – 37 Beginning to “giving me hell back in Hades” https://youtu.be/QhuyQfLXARs?si=aZLCCaReOI8Js21_ until 0:37 *Showcase Hades’ powerful and commanding presence, manipulative charm, and sinister edge with a balance of charisma and intimidation to be alluring yet dangerous.
  • Persephone
    Persephone (Mezzo-Soprano/Alto) Persephone is the queen of the underworld and goddess of spring. She’s full of life, rebellious, sassy, and has a sharp sense of humor, but there’s also a sadness in her when she returns to the dark world of Hades each year. She’s wild, free-spirited, and sometimes at odds with Hades’ strict rules. Traits: Fun-loving, rebellious, energetic, witty, torn between light and dark. ​ Persephone Living it Up on Top, Measures 30-58 “Well it’s like he said…summertime!” https://youtu.be/Qc_lZC55MI4?si=N_zy1qOJ1uo1v5kR&t=33 until 1:11 AND How Long, Measures 80-81 “How long, how long, how long?” https://youtu.be/FSBKZw0JwxI?si=N0Or8GXbCWllsCWy&t=209 until end *Showcase Persephone’s lively rebelliousness and her vibrant persona with a bit of conflict and weariness about her life in the Underworld.
  • Hermes
    (Tenor/Baritone) The smooth-talking messenger of the gods, Hermes is the charismatic storyteller of the production, guiding the audience and the characters through the twists and turns of the journey. He’s clever, charming, and always in the know. Hermes has a mentor-like relationship with Orpheus, acting as both a guide and a friend. Traits: Charismatic, wise, quick-witted, charming, a natural leader. ​ Road to Hell, Measures 15-30 “Once upon a time…and men” https://youtu.be/ZgsfT2w7FfM?si=FXfgQBXE8rqsci9w&t=23 until 0:45 AND Road to Hell, Measures 204-206 “We’re gonna sing. We’re gonna sing it again!” https://youtu.be/slGhqLI75Gk?si=s7oDb-MPYtIZ4e8C&t=296 until 5:00 *Showcase Hermes' role as a narrator, storyteller, and guide, with a mix of wisdom, rhythm, and charisma. Hermes should grab the audience’s attention from the very first note.
  • The Fates (3)
    (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto) The Fates are a trio of mysterious figures who always seem to know more than they let on. They represent destiny and fate, controlling the threads of life and death. They are often sarcastic and a little spooky, but they also have an eerie beauty in their singing and presence. Traits: Mysterious, all-knowing, sarcastic, haunting, powerful. ​ Fates Living it Up on Top, Measures 30-58 “Well it’s like he said…summertime!” https://youtu.be/Qc_lZC55MI4?si=N_zy1qOJ1uo1v5kR&t=33 until 1:11 AND How Long, Measures 80-81 “How long, how long, how long?” https://youtu.be/FSBKZw0JwxI?si=N0Or8GXbCWllsCWy&t=209 until end ​ *Singing as a Fate – sing as more eerie and as if giving advice. Showcase sly, mischievous energy while being playful and cryptic.
  • Company/Workers (8-12)
    (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) The Workers represent the souls trapped in Hades’ underworld, toiling endlessly under his strict control. They’re the backbone of his dark kingdom, working hard but dreaming of freedom. The Workers are a symbol of resilience, and while they’ve been beaten down, there’s a spark of hope that still exists within them. As part of the Company, you’ll help bring the haunting, industrial world of Hadestown to life, with powerful ensemble singing and dynamic movement. Traits: Hardworking, oppressed, resilient, longing for freedom, united by hope.

HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION By Anais Mitchell

HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp. www.concordtheatricals.com

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