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Sign up for the school show using the QR code or the form link below.
You will be given an audition time at lunchtime or after school on Monday 23 February or Wednesday 25 February.
Prepare the short audition monologue.
Prepare the audition song. Female, Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Male, Footloose.
Check your allocated audition time on the notice board in the Expressive Arts corridor.
Arrive prepared and on time. Audition slots are limited and demand is high.
Only sign up if you fully intend to commit to the process.
Check the rehearsal and performance dates carefully to ensure you can meet the commitment.
Enjoy it. Being a principal cast member is a positive, challenging, and collaborative experience. The process starts at auditions.
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Principal rehearsals
These rehearsals only apply to pupils cast in principal roles. Sessions will run in Studio 3. Rehearsals will take place during the school day. Pupils will exams will make arrangements with the production team in advance. Exams do not prohibit you from taking part.Monday 18 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3 (9am-3pm).
Tuesday 19 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3 (9am-3.50pm).
Wednesday 20 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3.(9am-3pm)
Thursday 21 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3 (9am-3.50pm).
Tuesday 26 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3 (9am-3.50pm).
Wednesday 27 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3.(9am-3pm)
Thursday 28 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3 (9am-3.50pm).
Friday 29 May 2026. Principal rehearsals in Studio 3.(9am-3pm)Full cast rehearsals
These rehearsals apply to the full company and will take place in the hall.Monday 1 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall.(9am-3pm)
Tuesday 2 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall (9am-3.50pm).
Wednesday 3 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall.(9am-3pm)
Thursday 4 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall (9am-3.50pm).
Friday 5 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall.(9am-3pm)Final week and performances
Monday 8 June 2026. Full cast rehearsal in the hall.(9am-3pm)
Tuesday 9 June 2026. Dress rehearsal (9am - 3.50pm + 5pm - 10pm)
Wednesday 10 June 2026. Performance one. 7pm start.
Thursday 11 June 2026. Performance two. 7pm start. -
Rehearsals will take place during the school day and after school, as outlined in the published rehearsal schedule. Pupils must be available to attend all rehearsals required for their role.
Principal cast rehearsals will take place only on days where pupils are not sitting exams. If a pupil has an exam, they are not expected to attend rehearsal that day.
Full cast rehearsals and performances are compulsory for all pupils involved in the production.
School uniform is not required for rehearsals. Pupils must wear appropriate rehearsal clothing that allows safe movement.
Performance dates are Wednesday 10 June 2026 and Thursday 11 June 2026. Pupils must be available for both performances.
The dress rehearsal will take place on Tuesday 9 June 2026. All cast members must be available for the full dress rehearsal and band call as scheduled.
If a pupil misses rehearsals due to lack of commitment, poor attendance, or behaviour concerns, they may be withdrawn from the production at any stage.
If a pupil attends rehearsals outwith class time and then doesn’t attend the final production they may be expected to catch up on missed work during breaks or lunchtimes.
The Faculty of Expressive Arts reserves the right to remove any pupil from the production if they don’t exemplify our school values of Respect, Belonging, Growth, Achievement and Aspiration.
Only pupils who can attend all required rehearsals, the dress rehearsal, and all performances should sign up to audition.
If a pupil has other commitments that clash with rehearsals or performances, they should not sign up to audition.
The highest standards of behaviour are expected in rehearsals, in school, and during the full rehearsal and performance period.
By signing up to audition, pupils and parents or carers confirm that they understand and agree to these terms and conditions.
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It’s High School Musical crossed with Grease and set in the decade of tuunneess! Back to the 80's tells the story of the senior class of William Ocean High School, as remembered through the eyes of now thirty-something Corey Palmer. Seventeen-year-old Corey is madly in love with his next-door neighbor, Tiffany Houston, one of the coolest girls in the school, but she is too busy mooning over Michael Feldman, the hottest guy around. Michael and his friends are athletic and good looking — the kind of guys that Corey and his two best friends dream of being. However, while they may not be the coolest guys in school, they are still one up on Feargal McFerrin, III, whose best friend is his computer and who believes the crazy notion that one day, CDs will replace cassette tapes.
Throw in a Star Wars dream sequence, high-energy dance routines, the obligatory 80s party scene, copious amounts of blue eyeshadow, twenty cans of hairspray, as well as some of the most popular songs ever written, and the result is a musical that will not only delight and amuse audiences of any age, but will also inspire any young cast. Back to the 80's is a high-energy musical with contemporary flair that will certainly fill the seats.
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COREY PALMER SENIOR - Male.
The narrator of the show. Corey speaks directly to the audience from the year 2000, reflecting on his final year of high school in the 1980s. He frames the story and provides context, insight, and emotional commentary. He is thoughtful, reflective, and sincere. This role requires strong storytelling skills, clarity of speech, and the ability to connect honestly with an audience. Vocal demands are light, but confidence and presence are essential.
COREY PALMER JUNIOR - Male.
The teenage version of Corey. He is intelligent, observant, and slightly awkward. He often feels overshadowed by louder personalities around him. Corey is not a natural leader but has strong values and a clear moral compass. Over the course of the show, he gains confidence and learns to speak up. This role requires strong acting, emotional truth, and the ability to show growth. Singing demands are moderate.
MICHAEL FELDMAN - Male.
The most popular boy in school. A confident football star who thrives on attention and status. He initially appears shallow and self assured, but this is gradually challenged. Michael is forced to confront who he really is and what he values. This is a demanding lead role with strong singing, physicality, and clear character development. He must be believable both as a confident teen and as someone capable of change.
BILLY ARNOLD - Male.
Michael’s best friend. Loud, flashy, and attention seeking. Billy enjoys showing off and often follows Michael’s lead. He provides humour through bravado and exaggerated confidence. This role requires strong comic timing, high energy, and confident movement. Singing demands are moderate.
ALF - Male.
One of the school’s self proclaimed cool kids. Sarcastic and opinionated. Alf enjoys mocking others and delivering one liners. He often comments on events rather than driving them. Requires confidence, sharp delivery, and strong ensemble awareness.
KIRK - Male.
Part of the same friendship group as Alf. Slightly more thoughtful but still sarcastic and dismissive of authority. Often feeds into group humour. Good comic instincts and clear character choices are important.
LIONEL ASTLEY - Male.
Quiet and intelligent. Lionel is an outsider who observes more than he speaks. He is not desperate for popularity and is comfortable being different. His humour is subtle and understated. This role suits a strong actor who can communicate inner life without exaggeration. Vocal demands are light
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CINDI GIBSON - Female.
Confident, assertive, and socially powerful. Cindi knows how the school works and how to stay on top. She is direct and unapologetic. Often mistaken for being unkind, but she is clear headed and decisive. This role requires strong presence, confident delivery, and the ability to command attention in group scenes.
TIFFANY - Female.
Warm, bubbly, and optimistic. Tiffany is kind hearted and emotionally open. She represents sincerity and emotional honesty in contrast to the more image focused students around her. She has a strong connection with Corey. This is a lead role requiring strong acting, warmth, and vocal confidence.
KIM EASTON - Female.
Highly image conscious and socially driven. Kim cares deeply about popularity, appearance, and status. School work is secondary to social life. This role requires confident characterisation and the ability to play social ambition clearly.
MEL EASTON - Female.
Kim’s twin sister. Quieter and more grounded. Mel is observant and often more emotionally aware. She contrasts Kim’s priorities. Requires subtle acting and strong listening skills.
ELLEN BRAGG - Female.
Shy, awkward, and socially invisible at the start of the show. Ellen undergoes one of the clearest transformations. She finds confidence and self belief. This role demands strong acting range and the ability to show growth. Comedy comes from honesty, not exaggeration.
LAURA - Female.
Energetic and chatty. Part of the popular girls group. Strong mover with good ensemble awareness.
DEBBIE - Female.
Laura’s best friend. Similar energy and confidence. Both roles require strong movement skills and vocal confidence in group numbers.
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ACT ONE
Kids in America
Featured Female Singer. Full Student Ensemble.Kids in America Reprise
Full Student Ensemble.Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Tiffany. Cyndi. Kim. Laura. Debbie. Female Ensemble.Footloose
Michael. Billy. Huey. Lionel. Male Student Ensemble.Mickey
Tiffany. Cyndi. Kim.Michael’s Election Rap
Michael.Video Killed the Radio Star
Fergal. Lionel. Debbie.Centerfold
Cory Jnr. Featured Male Singer.Love’s Heartbeat
Laura. Debbie.I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles
Cory Jnr. Michael.You Give Love a Bad Name
Cory Snr.
11a. You Give Love a Bad Name (Reprise)
Michael.12. Man in the Mirror
Mr Cocker. Miss Brannigan. Full Student Ensemble.ACT TWO
We Are the World
Full Student Ensemble.Dancing on the Ceiling
Cory Jnr. Featured Female Singer. Laura. Full Student Ensemble.Total Eclipse of the Heart
Cory Jnr. Miss Brannigan.Walking on Sunshine
Ellen. Tiffany. Ensemble.Get Out of My Dreams Get Into My Car
Michael. Tiffany. Ensemble.Centerfold Reprise
Mr Cocker. Full Student Ensemble.Lost in Your Eyes
Lionel.Material Girl
Cyndi. Mel. Ensemble.Eye of the Tiger
Instrumental.Eye of the Tiger Reprise
Instrumental.Eye of the Tiger Scene Change
Instrumental.Don’t Worry Be Happy/ Come On Eileen
Cory Jnr. Kirk. Alf.The Final Countdown
Featured Singers.I’ve Had the Time of My Life
Cory Jnr. Tiffany. Mr Cocker. Miss Brannigan. Full Ensemble.Back to the 80s Megamix (Encore)
Full Company.
Learn the following audition songs. You should first sing along with the guide vocal track so you begin to learn the song and melody. After a while begin singing to the instrumental track as this is what you will need to use for your audition.
singing Audition Material
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Lyrics)
I come home in the mornin' light
My mother says, "When you gonna live your life right?"
Oh, mama dear, we're not the fortunate ones
And girls, they wanna have fun
Oh, girls just wanna have fun
The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells, "What you gonna do with your life?"
Oh, daddy dear, you know you're still number one
But girls, they wanna have fun
Oh, girls just wanna have
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the workin' day is done
Oh, girls, they wanna have fun
Oh, girls just wanna have fun.
Footloose (Lyrics)
Been working so hard
I'm punching my card
Eight hours, for what?
Oh, tell me what I got
I've got this feeling
That time's just holding me down
I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town
So now I gotta cut loose
Footloose
Kick off the Sunday shoes
Please, Louise
Pull me off of my knees
Jack, get back
Come on before we crack
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose
Female Monologue
Context and Direction Notes
You are a senior girl in the 1980s. You are seen as confident and put together. People think you are unbothered. This moment happens after a school day where you were expected to perform socially. You finally let the mask drop.
The Monologue
People think I’m confident because I talk first.
Because I don’t hesitate.
Because I never let the silence sit.
But confidence isn’t the same as certainty.
And it definitely isn’t the same as being calm.
Every day feels like a performance.
Say the right thing. Wear the right thing. Care, but not too much.
If I’m quiet, people assume something’s wrong.
If I’m honest, they call it drama.
As part of the audition, all pupils auditioning for principal roles will perform a short monologue.
The monologues are written specifically for this production and sit within the world of the show. They are designed to show how you communicate a character, not how loudly you can perform.
You should learn the monologue as well as you can. Full memorisation is encouraged but not required. If you do use a script, you must be fully familiar with the text and able to perform it fluently.
Focus on clear storytelling. Speak naturally. Use pauses when they feel right. Avoid exaggeration or forcing emotion.
Think about who the character is, where they are, and why they are speaking. This is not you. It is a character in a specific moment
acting Audition Material - MONOLOGUES
Male Monologue
Context and Direction Notes
You are a senior boy in the 1980s. At school, you are known. People look at you and assume confidence. This moment happens late at night. You are alone. Tomorrow matters. For once, you admit the truth to yourself.
The Monologue
Everyone’s got an opinion about who I am.
They say it like it’s a fact. Like it’s finished.
Leader. Winner. Golden boy.
Pick one. I’ve heard them all.
What no one talks about is how heavy it gets.
How you’re not allowed to stop being impressive, not even for a second.
I mess up, people notice.
I hesitate, people talk.
I step out of line and suddenly I’ve ruined everything I’ve built.
