Auditions and Rehearsals

• Anyone can audition! (Tell your friends!)
• You do not need to be a theatre major to audition or be in a show.  
• The main audition days are the first two days of auditions with callbacks on the last day of auditions.
• If you are unable to make the first two days of auditions, feel free to come the last day of auditions.
• If you can't make any of the audition days but would still like to be considered, please pick a side and email a self-tape to sfagan@vcccd.edu.
• Sides (a small section of the script actors are given before an audition for either a play, film or television show) will be posted on this website closer to the dates of auditions.
• Pick a side or two that interests you and bring it to the auditions.
• There will be a sign in sheet at the auditions.
• You do not have to stay for the whole duration of the audition time but you are free to stay and watch.
• You do not have to come right when the audition starts.
• If cast, you will enroll in the production class that is 3 units.
• The show runs from Thursday, October 10th - Sunday, October 20th.
• Rehearsals will begin Monday, August 19th
• Rehearsals will be M-Th from 6pm-10pm
• If you are a supporting character, you will not be called to all of those rehearsals but you are free to stay and watch

First produced at the Hispanic American Arts Center in NYC

June 3, 1987

Description from Dramatist Play Service:

The Cruz family is volatile even in the best of times. On this particular day, Nelson, the youngest son, enters the house in a panic to hide the more obvious religious relics from the sight of his “gringo” girlfriend, who is visiting for the weekend. Nelson’s mother, Dahlia, is obsessed with retrieving her husband from his new girlfriend; Eddie, her elder son, shows up in a van with his failed life and pregnant girlfriend. But the “real” pandemonium is caused by sweet, long-suffering Dolores, Dahlia’s old-maid sister, when she sees the face of the Holy Virgin in a tortilla. This miracle brings hordes of believers and reporters to camp out on the Cruz’s lawn to await further miracles. As the family struggles with beliefs and conflicts, old and new, the endurance of family love is revealed to be the real miracle.

Character Breakdowns (as described in the play)

Dolores Cantù: Hispanic. 40-60. Naïve sweetness. Nearsighted.  Speaks with a pronounced Spanish accent. Spinster.

Dahlia Cruz: Hispanic. Pushing 50 and trying to appear less. She projects the neurosis of an old-world woman who’s been forced to become liberated.  Her clothes, hair, makeup all seem geared to recapturing better days.  Dolores’ sister.

*Nelson: Hispanic. Dahlia’s younger son. Early 20’s. His clothes give him away as a product of a contemporary college campus.  Definitely not a jock, he’s still managed to get down the All-American look.  But underneath a veneer of self-assurance lies a bundle of insecurities. *There are several intimate moments that will be choreographed with intimacy coordination in mind, to depict the relationship between Beverly and Nelson.  This will consist of "making out" while fully clothed and stopping before another family member walks into the shared space.

Eddy Cruz: Hispanic. Dahlia’s older son. Mid-twenties. Where Nelson is Americanized, Eddy seems to have by-passed the melting pot.  There’s also something a little polyester-rish and imitation Gucci about him.  But one could recognize him as a fast talking, smooth operator and still fall victim to his allure.

*Beverly Barnes: Nelson’s girlfriend.  About his same age. No one would ever mistake her for Latina. White but open to other ethnicities besides Hispanic. *States in the play that she wears a bikini.  Additionally, there are several intimate moments that will be choreographed with intimacy coordination in mind, to depict the relationship between Beverly and Nelson.  This will consist of "making out" while fully clothed and stopping before another family member walks into the shared space.

Valerie Spinetti: Eddy’s girlfriend.  Says “not seen” but we will make her seen in the production.  Her age is anyone’s guess.

Father Fernandez: Runs the church that Dolores attends.  Says just a voice but we will make him seen in the production.

Emcee Gus: Runs the radio station Father Fernandez is a guest on.  Says just a voice but we will make him seen in the production.

Weatherman: Weatherman on the radio station.  Says just a voice but we will make him seen in the production.

Debbie Ramirez: Guest on radio show.  7 years old.

Extras: Gawkers, lookie-loos, paparazzi who have come to the Cruz house to see the Virgin Mary in the tortilla.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR CAST LIST

Hello everyone,

First of all, thanks to all that auditioned.  As much as I enjoy the audition process and working with you individually, I always dislike having to choose between you.  We had over 60 people audition and, as always, we had to make some very difficult choices. 

I mean it when I say that we could have cast this play 10 different ways and still had an excellent cast.  If you were called back for the role, it means that we believed you could play it in this production.  I want to encourage you all to keep coming back.  We’ve seen tremendous growth in those that have returned and you get better each time you audition!   

A few notes before the cast list:

• We honored the requests of those that limited the roles that they would accept.
• If you are cast, you MUST be enrolled in the THA M10A, B, C or D class by 6/1/24 if you are to keep your role.  The CRNs are 58391, 58392, 58393, 58394. 
• COSTUME MEASUREMENTS: Expect and email from Orly Ruiz, our Costume Designer, sometime in the next week to set an appointment
• I hope to be sending out a rough draft of the rehearsal schedule in the next week.  Please align it with your work schedule ASAP.
• I’m trying to expedite the script delivery and hope to have those on hand next week as well.  I will be in touch on that. 
• START LISTENING TO THE CAST ALBUM NOW! https://youtu.be/w9pdWQT1_8E?si=7IAhqy3YkTxUUdxP 

Thank you all again for an AWESOME job!

John, Nancy, Beth and Dave

MOORPARK COLLEGE THEATRE ARTS ANNOUNCES  

AUDITIONS FOR “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR”

Moorpark, CA – The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming Summer 2024 production of the classic rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar.”   Auditions will be held on May 13^th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and May 14^th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm with callbacks on May 15^th  from 6:00-10:00pm in the studio theatre, room PA-100, of the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus.  Anyone interested in auditioning prepare an up tempo show tune and bring 32 bars of sheet music (approximately 1 minute) and wear comfortable clothing for a Dance audition. An accompanist will be present for the audition. 

The global phenomenon, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage.  It is a timeless work set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events, but seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot and has engaged audiences for more than 50 years. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.  The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.” “Jesus Christ Superstar” continues to touch new generations of audiences and performers.

““Jesus Christ Superstar” is a perfect musical for our summer theatre program that showcases the work of our student designers and presents an opportunity for incoming high school students to begin their journey at Moorpark College ,” said John Loprieno, Director and Theatre Arts faculty member.   “The opening lyric “My mind is clearer now…,” was first experienced by audiences in October of 1971.  And from that moment, this revolutionary musical has opened minds, engaged, and entertained audiences around the world.  I can’t wait to see what our students, returning and new, can do with this exciting and challenging material.  The studio Theatre will be rocking this summer!”  Anyone that is cast must enroll in the 3 unit Theatre Production: Performance class. 

“Jesus Christ Superstar”” will run July 18^th thru August 4^th with evening performances from Thursday to Saturday @ 8:00pm with Sunday matinees @ 2:00pm in the studio theatre at Moorpark College.  Tickets go on sale July 1^st and may be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac. For additional information regarding “Jesus Christ Superstar” or the Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department, please contact Director John Loprieno at (805) 378-1469 or jloprieno@vcccd.edu.  Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark, 93021.

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