RENT is coming to New Orleans! Directors Sonny Borey and Derek Franklin and Choreographer Karen Hebert are looking for 15 racially mixed SINGERS between the ages of 19 through '30's for the Regional Premiere of the Johnathan Larson Musical Hit! Le Petit is honored to be among the FIRST theatres to recieve permission to perform this work. Auditions will be Saturday, July 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Le Petit Theatre. Auditioners should prepare a rock or power ballad, and bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. We are looking for a diverse group of performers from around the region. Performers from far and wide are encouraged to audition for this exciting and moving theatrical event! RENT will open Le Petit's 92nd Season and run Sept. 19th - Oct. 12th. For more information, please call the theatre Box Office at 522-2081.

Hey everyone!

 There is great buzz going around for RENT auditions. Sonny, Karen and I have been asked some questions, so I thought I could answer them better here.

First - ALL ROLES ARE OPEN!! I cannot stress this enough. There have been rumors going around that the show has been cast. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I want to see EVERYONE interested in a part for this show before ANY decisions are made.

Second - ALL ROLES ARE PAID! For the last few years Le Petit Theatre has made it a point to pay EVERYONE involved with a production. From onstage performers to backstage crew, everyone is given a contract and paid for their work.

Third - I stated that auditioners should bring a prepared rock or power ballad. If all you have in your library are Broadway Show Tunes, that will be acceptable, but please bring something that shows off your range and voice in a modern, contemporary style - no "Surrey With the Fringe On Top" or "Put on a Happy Face" PLEASE.

Fourth - No, you do not need to be a "dancer" to audition. There is some movement for a couple of characters, and of course, natural rhythm helps. But you need to be a singer first and foremost. Acting helps of course, as does dance experience. But you do not need to have studied 12 years of ballet and jazz. Just show up and be yourself. I am looking for people with personality. People who can act a song. Feel a song. Sell a song. Remember, there is a vital chorus involved in this show. So if you are cast, there is plenty of stage time and characters to go around.

Fifth - Yes, you MUST AUDITION!! I am sorry, but there unfortunately is a mentality in town for some people who say - "You know what I sound like, do I need to audition?" This boggles my mind. Could you imagine pulling that some other place than New Orleans? RENT is a truly ensemble show. I need to be able to hear people together, and to see people together. I need a range of looks as well as vocal blends, and that is almost impossible to do if people are not there at auditons.

I hope this helps. Sonny, Karen and I really hope to see and meet a lot of people July 19th. We are truly excited that we are able to bring this work to New Orleans and to this theatrical community. I am ready to see those sparks fly when we open. I hope that you will consider being a part of that electrifying experience!!

Derek Franklin

Director/Musical Director

 out of curiosity - since rock/power ballads are brought up, will there be a person who accompanies on the guitar or is it piano only?

A piano accompanist will be at the auditions.

>Fifth - Yes, you MUST AUDITION!! I am sorry, but there unfortunately is a mentality in town for some people who say - "You >know what I sound like, do I need to audition?" This boggles my mind. Could you imagine pulling that some other place than >New Orleans?

AMEN!

In response to further questions regarding auditions : Yes, you may prepare and sing a song from the show. Hope this helps. See you on the 19th!

Derek Franklin

Hey everyone,

 If you have any specific questions regarding RENT or the upcoming auditions, and you do not want to post them on the Forum, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at dereknola@hotmail.com . I will try to answer all inquiries to the best of my ability. Thanks, and see you Saturday!

 Derek Franklin

Hey Everyone,

    Just a reminder that auditions for RENT are just a couple of days away. Hope to see a lot of you there! Remember, we are looking for a varied group of performers and a racially diverse cast. So, if you have never been to Le Petit theatre - COME ON DOWN !!

  Derek