What are the technical requirements to make it into Starlight Express?
London Audition Notices[]
In 1985 and 1986, performers were invited to attend Skate School in June/July for months prior to open auditions. The auditions in September 1987 were looking for performers for both the London and the upcoming Japan/Australia tours. By 1988, the auditions were held in June, for rehearsals starting in August and the contract starting late in the year.
Up until 1989 the audition process was only open to Equity members (performers union). This was not mentioned by 1989, however by 1994 the call includes "Experience Professionals Artistes Only" - over-ambitious untrained fans were not welcome!
1998 Bochum Auditions[]
We are looking for:
- female/male dancers who sing well
- principle singers who dance well
Especially for the roles of:
| Rusty | 20´s, must move well and have contemporary "pop" sound with a wide dramatic range. Must be capable of a high B flat. A young fun-loving steam-train - the boy next door with big dreams. |
| Greaseball | 20´s-30´s strong rock sound able to do both rock´n´roll and hard rock styles. A very cool , strong Elvis type capable of a high G. A diesel train who loves himself more than anyone else. |
| Caboose | 20´s strong male dancer with a contemporary pop sound with falsetto as an advantage . Must be capable of a high A flat. Very sweet caboose car at the back of the train but devious side gets the best of him. |
| Poppa | 30´s-40´s strong male performer with rythym and blues style. Lived in tonal quality and scat singing an asset. Baritone with strong top able to reach a high B flat. A fun-loving and still fighting steam train with a lovely grandfather quality. |
| Electra | 20´s-30´s strong male singer in pop style with a chest voice up to A flat plus a strong falsetto voice. A mysterious AC/DC electric train from the future with a huge pop persona and an entourage of five always following him. Must dance very well. |
| Pearl | 20´s strong dancer with a contemporary "Whitney Houston" type tone required. Must have a wide dramatic range with a chest belt up to a D and an ability to achieve a credible chest/head mix up to an F. She is incredibly sweet, beautiful and bright-eyed first class train who wants to experience the world. |
| Dinah | Early 20´s strong dancer with a dramatic country/western style with a chest belt up to at least an E flat, though preferably up to an F sharp. A young Southern Belle dining train who is dedicated to her man. |
| Buffy | 20´s strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound . Chest belt to E flat. The quick-to-serve and zany buffet train who has served the best and knows how to please them all. |
| Ashley | 20´s strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound with a smokey quality.Chest belt to E flat. Very sexy and alluring smoking train who knows how to get what she wants. |
Roller skating not essential . Skate training will be provided prior contract.
Please prepare two songs (ballad and rock) and please bring dance clothes and KNEE-Pads
Starlight-theatre 19.10.98 10 am
2000 Bochum Auditions[]
STELLA Entertainment - is the biggest Musical production Company in Germany currently producing Cats, Phantom Of The Opera, in Hamburg, Starlight Express in Bochum, Beauty And The Beast and Dance of the vampires in Stuttgart and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Berlin.
The German Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's STARLIGHT EXPRESS
| AGENT'S CALLS |
| October, 8th 2000 |
| The ADI, 218 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JY |
| October, 9th 2000 (callbacks: October, 11th 2000) |
| PINEAPPLE STUDIOS, |
| 7 Langley St Covent Garden, |
| London WC2H 9JA |
| OPEN AUDITIONS |
| October, 10th 2000; 10:00am |
| (callbacks: October, 11th 2000) |
| PINEAPPLE STUDIOS, |
| 7 Langley St Covent Garden, |
| London WC2H 9JA |
We are looking for:
- strong female/male dancers who sing well
- strong principal singers who dance well
To cover the roles of:
| Pearl: | 20's strong dancer with contemporary pop sound. Must have wide dramatic range with a chest belt up to a D and an ability to achieve a credible chest/head mix up to an F. |
| Dinah: | Early 20's strong dancer capable of a Country/Western sound with a chest belt up to at least an E flat. |
| Ashley | 20's strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound with a smoky quality. Chest belt to E flat. Very sexy. |
| Buffy | 20's strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound. Chest belt to E flat. |
| Rusty | 20's, must move well and have contemporary "pop" sound with a wide dramatic range. Must be capable of a high B flat. |
| Greaseball | 20's-30's strong rock sound to high G. A very cool, strong Elvis type. |
| Caboose | 20's strong male dancer with contemporary pop sound with falsetto as an advantage. Must be capable of a high A flat. |
| Electra | 20's-30's strong male singer in pop style with chest voice up to an A flat plus some falsetto. Must dance well. |
| Poppa | 30's-60's strong Male performer with rhythm and blues style. Mature lived in tonal quality, ability to scat sing would be an asset. Baritone to high B flat |
| Rockies | Street style performer with strong athletic ability who can dance well and vocally competent. Ability to do basic gymnastics an advantage. |
ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED
Please prepare two songs (ballad & up tempo) and please bring dance clothes, KNEE-PADS, resume and photo
For further information please contact:
| STARLIGHT EXPRESS THEATRE; |
| Meinolf Mueller; |
| Stadionring 24; |
| 44791 Bochum; |
| Germany |
| Phone: 0049 234 50602-45 |
For consideration for private auditions
please send photos and CV to
| David Grindrod Associates, |
| 4 th Floor, Palace Theatre, |
| Shaftsbury Avenue, |
| London, W1V 8AY |
2011 Bochum Auditions[]
The German Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS 24th year in Bochum
AUDITIONS IN LONDON
Monday 10th – Friday 14th October 2012
We are looking for:
- strong female/male dancers who sing well
- strong principal singers who dance well
To play and cover the roles of:
| Pearl | 20’s strong dancer with contemporary pop sound. Must have wide dramatic range with a chest belt up to a D and an ability to achieve a credible chest/head mix up to an F. |
| Dinah | Early 20’s strong dancer capable of a Country/Western sound with a chest belt up to at least an E flat. |
| Ashley | 20’s strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound with a smoky quality. Chest belt to E flat. Very sexy. |
| Buffy | 20’s strong dancer with a contemporary pop sound. Chest belt to E flat. |
| Rusty | 20’s, must move well and have contemporary ”pop” sound with a wide dramatic range. Must be capable of a high B flat. |
| Greaseball | 20’s-30’s strong rock sound to high G. A very cool, strong Elvis type. |
| Caboose | 20’s strong male dancer with contemporary pop sound with falsetto as an advantage. Must be capable of a high A flat. |
| Electra | 20’s-30’s strong male singer in pop style with chest voice up to an A flat plus some falsetto. Must dance well. |
| Poppa | 30’s-60’s strong Male performer with rhythm and blues style. Mature lived in tonal quality, ability to scat sing would be an asset. Baritone to high B flat |
| Hip Hoppers | Street style performer with strong athletic ability who can dance well and vocally competent. Ability to do basic gymnastics an advantage. |
ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.
Rehearsals start : mid February 2012
Performances from beginning June 2012. Final performance end May 2013.
Please send cv and photo BY POST ONLY – NO E-MAILS!
| Debbie O’Brien – Starlight Express Casting |
| 72 High Street, Ashwell, |
| Near Baldock, |
| Hertfordshire SG7 5NS |
2014 Bochum - Additional Call[]
| 1. Engine/Hashamoto | with covers for Caboose and possibly Hip Hopper – strong body, excellent dancer with tenor singing range. Acro a real advantage. |
| 2. Swing dancer – with Electra / Caboose cover | strong body, excellent dancer, very good singer in pop style with chest voice up to an A flat plus some falsetto. |
ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL ! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.
Rehearsals start : Monday 11th February
Performances from 28th May 2014.
Final performance 31st May 2015.
2018 Bochum Auditions[]
Casting
The German Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
STARLIGHT EXPRESS - 30th Anniversary Year in Bochum
AUDITIONS IN LONDON
From Thursday 28th September 2017
We are looking for:
- STRONG MALE AND FEMALE TRAINED DANCERS WITH EXCELLENT VOICES
- STRONG MALE AND FEMALE TRAINED SINGERS WHO DANCE WELL
ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL ! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.
Rehearsals start: Monday 5th February 2018
Performances from 29th May 2018
Final performance: 26th May 2019
Please send cv and photo BY POST ONLY – NO E-MAILS! - to arrive by Tues 26th September 2017
Debbie O’Brien – Starlight Express Casting
2018 Additional Audition - October 2017[]
O P E N A U D I T I O N
Wir suchen für: / We are looking for:
| die Rolle der Mama / the role of Mama |
Sängerin / Singer: 30-60 Jahre alt, Rhythm & Blues Stimme, sportlich |
| Wien - (Raimund Theater, Wallgasse 18-20, 1060 Wien) |
| Dienstag/Tuesday, 17. Oktober 2017; ab 14:00 Uhr Vorsingen |
| Bochum - (Starlight Express Theater, Stadionring 24, 44791 Bochum) |
| Montag / Monday, 30. Oktober 2017; ab 14:00 Uhr Vorsingen |
| Callbacks Bochum Dienstag/Tuesday, 31. Oktober 2017 |
| ERFAHRUNG IM ROLLSCHUHLAUFEN NICHT ERFORDERLICH! MEHRWÖCHIGES ROLLSCHUHTRAINING STARTET NACH VERTRAGSBEGINN. | ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL ! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED. |
| Bitte bereiten Sie 2 Gesangsstücke vor (Ballade und Rocksong) und bringen Sie bitte Tanzkleidung und Knieschoner mit. | Please prepare two songs (ballad & up tempo) and please bring dance clothes and KNEE-PADS. |
2018 Additional Audition - January 2018[]
Holding auditions for The German Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS – 30th Anniversary in Bochum
AUDITIONS IN LONDON
Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th January 2018
To complete the casting, we are looking for:
| RUSTY | 20’s, must move well and have contemporary “pop” sound with a wide dramatic range. Must be capable of a high C. |
| ELECTRA | 20’s-30’s strong male singer in pop style with chest voice up to an A flat plus some falsetto. Must dance well. |
| KILLERWATT | Tall and strong, male street style performers with athletic ability who can dance well and have good, confident singing voices. Ability to do gymnastics / tricks an advantage. |
We are particularly keen to receive submissions from artistes who identify as BAME, but artistes of all heritages, races, ethnicity and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
ROLLER SKATING IS NOT ESSENTIAL ! SKATE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.
Rehearsals start: Monday 5th February 2018
Performances from 29th May 2018
Final performance: 26th May 2019
2019 Bochum - Additional Auditions, November 2018[]
This audition notice was posted November 2018 after the first rounds of open auditions had been held in October.
Auditions for the German production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS will be held in London on Friday 9 November. Recalls will be on Tuesday 13 November – you must be available for this date.
To complete casting, they are looking for the following roles only. All cast members must be willing and keen to learn to skate – skate training will be provided. Above all they must be fearless.
All cast must be strong actors.
Performers from all ethnic and racial backgrounds and heritages are encouraged to apply.
CARRIE and a FEMALE SWING, both to cover Pearl and Dinah:
| CARRIE | female, playing age 18 – 25. Fun, warm. Luggage car. Contemporary Pop Belt with Mezzo Soprano/Alto ability. Featured Ensemble Range: Mix/Belt – Bb3 – F5*. |
| FEMALE SWING | Strong versatile dancer – commercial, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary and jive. Acrobatics an advantage. Excellent singing voice to cover the following roles. |
| Covers: | |
| Pearl | female, playing age 20s Romantic, pure juvenile, beautiful, feisty. Newest carriage. MUST have a brilliant contemporary pop belt with Mezzo Soprano/Soprano ability. Must be able to mix. Range: Mix/Belt – G#3 – G5 (Head Voice to A5) |
| Dinah | female, playing age early 20s. Warm Texan girl who can sing pop country and western that has excellent comedic timing. Dining car. MUST have a strong Country sound with Contemporary Pop Belt with Mezzo Soprano/Soprano Must be able to mix. Range: Mix/Belt – G#3 – G5 (Head Voice to A5) |
| Electra | male, playing age 20s-30s Tall, slim in the style of Prince/Bowie. New mysterious electric train. Gender fluid / androgynous. Contemporary Pop Tenor with strong lower Baritone range. Must be strong throughout full required vocal range and with excellent falsetto ability. Range: G2 – C5. |
FLAT TOP, to cover Greaseball and Caboose:
| Flat-Top | Male, Characterful. Jack the lad with excellent comedy skills. Tenor Featured Ensemble Range: B2 – Bb4* |
| Greaseball | male, playing age 20s-30s Vain rock ‘n’ roll star. Diesel train. Handsome and masculine. High Baritone. Strong modern Rock singer. Range: A#2 – A4 |
| Caboose | male, playing age 20’s Truck at the rear of the train. Strong male commercial style dancer. Funky Bruno Mars. Contemporary Pop Tenor. Must be comfortable in modern funk/soul styles. Must be able to mix/falsetto comfortably to G5. Range: Chest – B2 – A4 (Mix/Falsetto to G5) |
| Rocky | Male Baritone. Must be comfortable in a variety of rap styles. *Featured Ensemble. Excellent hip hop/street dance with tricks required. Range: A2 – Eb4. |
| MALE ENSEMBLE | Versatile and strong trained dancers: commercial, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary and jive. Acrobatics an advantage. Must have strong singing voices for covers – please do not suggest artistes who do not sing. |
| STUNT SKATERS | Must have exceptional tricks – singing not required. |
Contracts will start 4 February 2019 and finish on 31 May 2020.
The director is Arlene Phillips.
Please send CV and photo either by Spotlight link or email to starlight@debbieobrien.net.
2020 Bochum Auditions[]
All roles casting for long running German production of show
Casting will shortly begin for the German production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS.
AUDITIONS IN LONDON on Monday 7 October-Saturday 12 October.
They are looking for strong principal singers who dance well and strong female/male dancers who sing well to play and cover these roles in the new Starlight Express.
| RUSTY | Male. MUST have a really strong contemporary pop sound with wide expressive range Contemporary Pop Tenor. Must be comfortable singing consistently in a high register between G4 & C5. Range: A2 – C5. Playing age 20’s Optimistic, naïve, chirpy personality. Steam train. |
| PEARL | Female. MUST have a brilliant contemporary pop belt with Mezzo Soprano/Soprano ability. Must be able to mix. Range: Mix/Belt – G#3 – G5 (Head Voice to A5). Playing age 20’s Romantic, pure juvenile, beautiful, feisty. Newest carriage. |
| MOMMA | Female. Character Alto Belt. Must be comfortable in soul, blues and gospel styles. Strong, powerful and rich low range essential. Range: D3 – E5. Playing age 40 – 50. Inspirational. Earth mother. Old steam train. MUST have a big Southern American Gospel sound. |
| DINAH | Female. MUST have a strong Country sound with Contemporary Pop Belt with Mezzo Soprano/Soprano Must be able to mix. Range: Mix/Belt – G#3 – G5 (Head Voice to A5). Playing age early 20s Warm Texan girl who can sing pop country and western that has excellent comedic timing. Dining car. |
| GREASEBALL | Male. High Baritone. Strong modern Rock singer. Range: A#2 – A4. Playing age 20’s-30’s Vain rock’n’roll star. Diesel train. Handsome and masculine. |
| CABOOSE | Male. Contemporary Pop Tenor. Must be comfortable in modern funk/soul styles. Must be able to mix/falsetto comfortably to G5. Range: Chest – B2 – A4 (Mix/Falsetto to G5.) Playing age 20s. Truck at the rear of the train. Strong male commercial style dancer. Funky Bruno Mars. |
| ELECTRA | Male. Contemporary Pop Tenor with strong lower Baritone range. Must be strong throughout full required vocal range and with excellent falsetto ability. Range: G2 – C5. Playing age 20s-30s Tall, slim in the style of Prince/Bowie. New mysterious electric train. Gender fluid / androgynous. |
We are looking also for strong actors, singers and dancers with excellent vocal ability to play a variety of ensemble/featured ensemble parts – some will be required to cover other roles:
| BELLE | Female. Contemporay Pop Belt with Mezzo Soprano/Alto Strong, rich low range essential. Range: Mix/Belt – G#3 – Eb5 Playing age 18–25. Tough physical and sensual. Runs the bar. Featured Ensemble. |
| CARRIE | Female. Contemporary Pop Belt with Mezzo Soprano/Alto ability. Range: Mix/Belt – Bb3 – F5 Playing age 18–25. Fun, warm. Luggage car. Featured Ensemble. |
| DUSTIN | Male. Characterful, warm, loveable and naïve. Tenor Range: B2 – Bb4 Featured Ensemble. |
| FLAT TOP | Male. Characterful. Jack the lad with excellent comedy skills. Tenor Range: B2 – 4 Featured Ensemble. |
| ROCKY 1 & 2 | Male. Baritone. Must be comfortable in a variety of rap styles. Range: A2 – Eb4 Featured Ensemble. Excellent hip hop/street dance with tricks required. |
| ROCKY 3 | Female. Alto. Must be comfortable in a variety of rap styles. Range: Mix/Belt – G3 – C5 Featured Ensemble. Excellent hip hop/street dance with tricks required. |
| RUHRGOLD | Male. Legit Character Baritone Range: A2 – Eb4 . |
| MANGA | Male. Character resonant Tenor/High BaritoneRange: B2 – Ab4. |
| TURNOV | Male. Character Bass/Baritone Strong, resonant low range essential. Range: A2 – Eb4. |
| BREXIT | Male. Character Tenor Range: B2 – Ab4. |
| ESPRESSO | Male. Legit Character High Baritone Ability to sound as an Italian tenor desirable. Range: B2 – G4. |
| VOLTA and KILLERWATT | Male. Baritone Range: B2 – F4. |
| JOULE and WRENCH | Female. Alto/Mezzo Soprano Range: B3 – E5. |
| COCO | Female. Alto Range: Mix/Belt – B3 – C5 . |
All cast members must be willing and keen to learn to skate – skate training will be provided. Above all they must be fearless. All must have movement skills or dance skills, depending on the role.
Dance required: commercial, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary and jive. Acrobatics an advantage.
All cast must be strong actors. Performers from all ethnic and racial backgrounds and heritages are encouraged to apply.
Finally, in addition we need exciting STUNT SKATERS who must have exceptional tricks.
Contracts will start 1 February 2020 and finish on 30 May 2021
The director is Arlene Phillips.