Oumi Karenga-Hewitt is keen to see more people auditioning for Mamma Mia!. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
More than 70 people have signed up to take part in the Griffith Regional Theatre community musical Mamma Mia, a romantic comedy powered by the songs of Swedish pop group ABBA that will be performed on stage in September.
Director Oumi Karenga-Hewitt says she’s delighted by the response so far, urging others to put in their application before the deadline of 31 January.
“Community members have been great, telling their work colleagues they’ve heard them sing and they have to do this,” she said.
“It really helps the production team having so many teachers, like Lara Calabria, Matt Segrave and Jesse Aviu, so we get lots of young people who are interested in writing and acting and need something to guide them along.”
Ms Karenga-Hewitt says you don’t need experience to throw your hat in the ring, explaining what the audition process will be like.
“Everyone is going to do a bit of singing and acting. If you’re a dancer, you’re welcome to show us your dance skills as we’re going to have a dancing ensemble. We have a vocal ensemble offstage for people who like the songs of ABBA or people who want to give singing a go. Then we’ve got the onstage ensemble and cast,” she said.
“It depends on how much time you have and how stage confident you are, in terms of what you’d like to do. Everyone has to audition regardless of what they’re going for, but it’s not scary, it’s a community production – something fun that fits around your life.
“For young people, this is the perfect thing to do outside of school that will show you what it’s like to do something like this as a job.”
First-time actor Michael Lee was a standout when he acted alongside James Walsh and Oumi for a production of The Crucible. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
There’s one demographic who the director wants to hear more from.
“I’d like to see more men, the dads who sing in the cars and showers, and the young men aged 17 to 25. There are plenty of stars out there, we just don’t know about it.
We had [first-time performer] Michael Lee stand out in our production of The Crucible; we’d like to find the next Michael Lee.”
Mamma Mia! centres on a woman named Donna, a feisty, independent single parent, who doesn’t need a man to make her life complete; and her 20-year-old daughter Sophie, who wants romance, babies and a big, white wedding. Sophie wants her father to give her away, though Donna isn’t quite sure who her father may be.
Ms Karenga-Hewitt says it’s a timeless classic that remains popular some 25 years after it made its debut.
“The songs are amazing; it’s an escape from the day-to-day; it’s set on an island. It’s also about friendships and family. The songs appeal to all ages; it has both slow ballads and ones that make you want to dance,” she said.
Auditions will take place on the weekend of 8 and 9 February. Those who can’t make these dates are asked to contact the team by email at [email protected] before 27 January. The production team will get in touch with those interested in backstage roles by March and rehearsals will kick off in April.
Information packs and further details can be found on the Griffith Regional Theatre Mamma Mia! website.
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