How exactly do you become a Blue Man?
One of those mute musicians who appear in that mind-blowing stage show which is
presented nightly in New York, Orlando,
Boston, Chicago as well as at the Venetian Hotel, Resort & Casino
in Las
Vegas.
Well, the Blue Man Casting team spends months traveling the globe every year searching for just
the right people to play these parts. You see, a Blue Man has a very distinct look (i.e. each performer must have an athletic build and
be between 5′ 10″ & 6′ 1″ in height) as well as have a strong musical
background (i.e. ideally have solid percussion experience / great drumming
skills).
Copyright Blue Man Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
But it’s more than that. The Blue Man Casting team is looking for people with a strong stage presence who – at the
same time – can completely let go of their egos. Let their own personalities
disappear as they then become a member of this blue-skinned trio which – while
they have no voices, ears or hair – can often say so much without saying anything
at all.
Obviously, it takes a special sort of person to become a Blue Man.
And the casting team (which has been seeking out replacement players ever since
the very first Blue Man show,
“Tubes/Rewired” opened at NYC’s Astor Place Theatre back in 1991) often finds
these performers in the most unlikely of places.
Anthony Parrulli (in the foreground, right) during his Disney days, jamming with
the Jammitors. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Take – for example — Anthony Parrulli. This Tampa, FL
resident had played snare drum when Anthony attended high school in the City of
Dunedin. He then went on to tour with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle
corps. Which then led to a three year stint at Epcot as a member of that theme
park’s Jammitors street show.
So how did Parrulli wind up as one of the six Blue Men
who helped open the Las Vegas version
of this show (which debuted at the Venetian
Resort Hotel, Resort & Casino back in March of 2001)? Well, Anthony’s
supreme drumming skills obviously helped him land this gig. But it was
Parrulli’s dedication to playing this dialogue-free part that ultimately won
over the Blue Man casting team.
Anthony Parrulli performing with the Blue Man Group. Copyright Blue Man
Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
As Anthony explained in an interview that’s excerpted over
on the Blue Man Group website:
“You must be able to portray a character, bring your
innermost energy to life, not be afraid to open yourself up and allow your
inner being to break free. That energy is whatever you’re most passionate
about. It translates to a charisma that is inherent in all Blue Men.”
The interior of the Blue Man Group Theater at the Venetian Hotel, Resort and Casino.
Copyright Blue Man Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
And just in case you’re working, this is not a one-step audition
process. In order to become a Blue Man,
you first have to go through a seemingly endless series of interviews, drumming
& acting auditions, not to mention workshops and callbacks. All to make
sure that the Blue Man casting team has selected just the right performer in appear in this
extremely physical, highly stylized show.
So if you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a magical mute musician,
the casting team will be actively looking a few good Blue Men over the next two months. To be specific, they’ll be holding auditions in
Boston on March 7th, in NYC on April 4th & 5th,
in Las Vegas on April 6th,
LA on April 11th & 12th and Chicago on April 19th.
Copyright Blue Man Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
Now with the exception of the ones that will be held in
Chi-town next month (those are open call), all of the rest of these Blue Man Group
auditions will be by appointment only. But you can learn all about how you
apply for one of those appointment slots by dropping by the official Blue Man Group
website.
On the other hand, if you’re still standing out of the
outside of this worldwide performing phenomenon, wondering what it is exactly
that gets people so excited about this earless blue-skinned trio of drummers … Well,
you could probably check out their new IMAX movie – “Blue Man Group: Mind Blast”
– which just opened in theaters nationwide on February 1st.
It’s hard to believe that this theater was once home to the Las Vegas Company of
Lord of the Dance. Copyright Blue Man Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
Though – to be honest – the very best way to be introduced to
Blue Man
Group is by seeing them perform in person. Which is why you should probably
catch one of their live shows. Like – say –
“Bluephoria.” Which has been dazzling Las Vegas visitors ever since this stage
show first opened at the Venetian
Hotel, Resort & Casino back in October of 2005.
The version of the Blue Man Group show that’s currently being presented at the Venetian is easily the most lavish. Audience members of all ages fill this
1,760 -seat theatre nightly so that they can then be dazzling by Blue Man Group’s clever mix of comedy and music.
Copyright Blue Man Productions, Inc. All rights reserved
So if you don’t quite have what it takes to get up onstage
and then become one of “The Few, The Bald, The Blue” … At the very least, you
should make a point of going to check out the Blue Man Group.
Which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of its NYC show later
this year. And – more importantly – has companies that are still going strong
in Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Las Vegas
right now.
Your thoughts?