1. Legally Blonde: The Musical
Workshop 2017
Wfbhstheater.com

2. WHAT IS THIS MUSICAL ALL ABOUT?
Elle Woods, sorority president at UCLA, plans to get engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Warner, but he breaks up with her instead because she isn’t “serious” enough for his east coast family.
She decides to follow him to Harvard Law to prove that she is “serious” and deserving to become his wife.
Along the way, she meets several good friends that help her realize her own intelligence, power to demand justice, and strength.
She eventually uses these skills to save an innocent client, reject an inappropriate professor, become valedictorian of her class, and refuse Warner when he finally decides she is “serious” enough for him.

3. Important Similarity to Les Miserables:
Message
LM: powerful & moving
LB: only if move beyond stereotypes
Musical Set Up
Traditional: scene—song—scene—song
LM and LB: scenes and songs integrated

4. Important DIFFERENCES to Les Miserables
Cast Size: Slightly Smaller Show
Style Change:
Humor vs. Serious
Varied vs. Classical Only
Triple Threat Time:
Singing Matters (variety of styles)
Acting Matters (success—full bodied characters vs. stereotypes)
DANCING MATTERS (variety of styles)

5. What does that mean for you?
Auditions are DIFFERENT
SINGING & Monologue: One Day
DANCE AUDITION: One Day
Who we will cast may be DIFFERENT
SINGING, DANCING, and ACTING
Commit to STYLE of show
Prepare yourself for these changes:
Prepare: Energy Throughout
Monologue
Song
Dance

6. Rest of Today 1st Half: 2nd Half: Time With Mr. Johnston: Chorus Room
LEARN SONGS
DISCUSS HOW TO ACT WHILE SINGING
PRACTICE SONGS
Time with Kind-Keppel: Cafeteria
Discuss HOW TO AUDITION
LEARN ABOUT LEAD CHARACTERS
Audition Form & Monologue: DISCUSS STRONG ACTING CHOICES
2nd Half:
Time with Ms. Wozniak: Auditorium
LEARN DANCE
PRACTICE/PERFECT DANCE

7. GO DO IT!!!

8. AUDITIONING TIPS Perception: Confident and Likable
BEGINNING OF AUDITION
Posture
Eye Contact
Handing Sheet
END OF AUDITION
Smile & Make Eye Contact
Say THANK YOU
Walk out confidently NO MATTER WHAT

9. AUDITIONING TIPS CONTINUED
FOCUS
When you SING & give MONOLOGUE
Do NOT look at AUDITIONERS (Johnston, Woz, AND K2)
WHY? We will concentrate on smiling and supporting you rather than specifically observing you
INSTEAD:
Find a spot (usually just above head level)
Direct song and monologue to that spot

10. ACTING
We WILL be evaluating your acting. We will do so while you SING AND during your MONOLOGUE
You CAN memorize or USE a MUSIC/SCRIPT 
Becoming a character
Lyrics of song/ words of the script: WHO IS THIS CHARACTER? what is this character thinking? What do they want? How does this song/speech reflect who they are? Their life? How can you communicate that while you sing and speak?
PHYSICALLY:
How does character stand? Walk?
What would the character’s gestures be like?
VOCALLY:
How does the song/speech reflect who the character is?
How do you communicate that in your voice?
How can you use dynamics/variation to communicate the character?
How can you use tone?
How can you use articulation?

11. MALE ROLES Lots of Opportunities 4 Leads
MANY Memorable Smaller Roles (over 15!)
WE NEED YOU!

12. Emmett and Warner Harvard Graduate Background: Rough
Helps Elle realize intelligence and strength
Eventual love interest
Elle’s UCLA boyfriend who breaks up with her for “suitable” match
East Coast—career focused
Ends up a model vs. a senator

13. Callahan & Kyle UPS Man—Gorgeous Irish Dancer
Becomes love interest: Paulette
Harvard Law Professor
Believes good lawyers are sharks
Provides internship opportunity to the best of the freshmen class
Arrogant, smart, and amoral

14. MANY Memorable Smaller Roles
Kind-Keppel Favorites:
Elle’s Father
Harvard Admissions Team
Dewey
Nikos and Carlos
Aaron

15. LB HIGHLIGHTS FEMALE TALENT!!!
FEMALE ROLES
Lots of Opportunities
5 Leads
Greek Chorus
MANY Memorable Smaller Roles (over 15!)
WE NEED YOU!
LB HIGHLIGHTS FEMALE TALENT!!!

16. Elle Woods ULCA Sorority President
Follows Warner to Harvard Law for love
Grows tremendously throughout the musical
Ends up smart, strong, and fighting for justice while still feminine and pink
This role CANNOT be a stereotype—will need strong acting, singing, and dancing chops

17. Paulette & Brooke Wyndham
Owns a successful exercise franchise
Former Delta Nu sorority sister
Accused of killing her older husband
Her trial fuels a lot of the conflict that drives the show
Sings and Dances
Hair Dresser with a rough past who befriends Elle
Elle helps Paulette realize her own strength and agency
Paulette helps Elle remain true to who she is and grow as a person.
Hilarious, awesome voice, and great dancer

18. Enid and Vivienne Strong woman Lesbian and Feminist Harvard Student
Part of Callahan’s “Team” that takes on Brooke Wyndham trial
Sings and Dances
East Coast Elitist SNOB
Went to boarding school with Warner (now his law school girlfriend)
As a character, she grows throughout the show. Ends up being Elle’s good friend and champion of justice.
Sings and Dances

19. Greek Chorus NEEDS: Strong Dancers Strong Singers
Outside Comfort Zone To Commit:
Humor
Committed Characters
Delta Nus: actors
Greek Chorus: 6-8 actors
Highlighted Core
Margot
Serena
Pilar

20. Memorable Smaller Roles
Kind-Keppel Favorites
Kate
Elle’s Mother
Chutney Wyndham
Judge