Lion King Jr. Character Descriptions

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Rafiki: A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, so this performer must be confident with a strong singing voice. Gender: Both

*Suggested audition song: “Circle of Life”

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Mufasa: The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Gender: Male
*Suggested audition song: “Circle of Life”

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Sarabi: A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Must be able to deliver her lines with the care and command of a queen. Gender: Female
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Zazu: The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung. Gender: Both
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Scar: The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Cold-hearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Must be able to bring out this villain's dark side while handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humor. Gender: Male
*Suggested audition song: “Be Prepared”

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Young Simba: Simba is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny. Must be a strong singer and dynamic performer. Gender: Both (Likely Male) Simba Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata."

*Suggested audition song: “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”

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Older Simba: Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar. Gender: Male
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Lionesses: The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." The lionesses must be strong singers and dancers. Gender: Female
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Young Nala: A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. Must be a strong performer who can portray this confident cub. Gender: Female
*Suggested audition song: “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”

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Older Nala: Nala Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar. Gender: Female Sarafina A featured lioness and Nala's mother. Gender: Female
*Suggested audition song: Shadow Land

      

Shenzi: One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala. Gender: Female
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Banzai: A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. Banzai would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Must be an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. Gender: Both
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Ed: The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. Ed has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. Gender: Both 3
*Suggested audition song: Any

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Hyenas: Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared." Must be able to play a loud and raucous character. Gender: Both *Suggested audition song: Any

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Timon: An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. Timon is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. Gender: Both
*Suggested audition song: “Hakuna Matata”

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Pumbaa: A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Must be able to portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor. Gender: Both
*Suggested audition song: “Hakuna Matata”

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Ensemble: The ensemble includes the "Grasslands" as well as various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeests, birds, and other creatures. The ensemble will do lots of singing and dancing in this show! Gender: Both
*Suggested audition song: Any

     

Audition Monologues for Disney’s The Lion King, Jr.

*CHOOSE ONE TO PERFORM*

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Every student will be asked to perform a monologue. It is ok to read from a piece of paper while you perform. We are looking at your acting and speaking voice. If you are not auditioning for one of the roles below, just pick one to perform.

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SCAR: Mufasa’s death was a terrible tragedy; but to lose Simba, who had barely begun to live... For me it is a deep personal loss. So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne. Yet, out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era... in which lion and hyena come together, in a great and glorious future!

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MUFASA: Look Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom. A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day Simba, the sun will set on my time here- and will rise with you as the new king. Everything you see exists together, in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures-- from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope. When we die, our bodies become the grass. And the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.

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YOUNG SIMBA: Hey Uncle Scar, guess what! I'm going to be king of Pride Rock. My Dad just showed me the whole kingdom, and I'm going to rule it all. Hehheh. I’m gonna be a mighty king so enemies beware. I’m working on my roar. Here, listen! Roar!! I can’t wait to be king! No one bossing me around... Free to play all day... Free to do it all my way! Hey, Uncle Scar? When I'm king, what will that make you?

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YOUNG NALA: Hi Simba- I’m going hunting with my mother. You heard of a really cool place? Where is it? It better not be lame. So where are we going? An elephant graveyard? Wow! .... (in graveyard) This place is really creepy. We could get in big trouble.

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ZAZU: Oh, just look at you two. Little seeds of romance blossoming in the savannah. Your parents will be thrilled... what with your being betrothed and all. {trying to explain} Betrothed. Intended. Affianced. One day you two are going to be married! {pause} Well, sorry to bust your bubble, but you two turtle doves have no choice. It’s a tradition... going back generations. {pause} Oh, you can’t fire me. Only a king can do that. You’re not a king yet. And with an attitude like that, I'm afraid you’re shaping up to be a pretty pathetic king indeed. If this is where the monarchy is headed count me out! Out of service, out of Africa, I wouldn't hang about!

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SHENZI: Well, well, well, Banzai. What have we got here? A trio of trespassers!! Whoa, whoa, wait waitwait.... I know you. {points to Zazu} You're Mufasa's little stooge. And that would make you... {turning to Simba} the future king? Do you know what we do to kings who step out of their kingdom? {blockingSimba’s path} Whoa, what's the hurry? We'd love you to stick around for dinner. We could have whatever's ... lion around! Get it? Lion around! Oh wait, wait, wait. I got another one. Make mine a cub sandwich. Whatcha think? {pause} Where’d they go?!

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OLDER NALA: This place is beautiful.... But I don't understand something. You've been alive all this time. Why

didn't you come back to Pride Rock? We need you! You're the king. {pause} Simba, Scar let the hyenas take over the Pride Lands. Everything's destroyed. There's no food, no water. Simba, if you don't do something soon, everyone will starve. It's your responsibility to help. Don't you understand? You’re our only hope. {pause} What's happened to you? You're not the Simba I remember.

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OLDER SIMBA: Well, I just ... needed to get out on my own. Live my own life. And I did. And it's great! No one needs me. {pause} Nala, we've been through this. I'm not the king. Scar is. {pause} I can't go back. You wouldn't understand. It doesn't matter. HakunaMatata. It's something I learned out here. Look, sometimes bad things happen... and there's nothing you can do about it! So why worry? {pause} Listen! You think you can just show up and tell me how to live my life? You don't even know what I've been through. You’re wrong. I can't go back. What would it prove, anyway? It won’t change anything. You can't change the past. {pause} {He looks up at the stars, speaking to his father} You said you'd always be there for me!... But you're not. And it's because of me. It's my fault.... It's my ... fault.

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TIMON: (enters charging at birds) Eeeeeyaaaa! Get out of here! I love bowling for buzzards! (sees Simba laying on ground) What do we have here? Yikes, it’s a lion Pumbaa! Run! Move it! Pumbaa, are you nuts? Lions eat guys like us. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard (light bulb goes off in his head)... wait a minute, what if he’s on our side? Ya know, having a lion around might not be a bad idea.

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PUMBAA: (enters charging at birds) Eeeeeyaaaa! Get out of here! I love bowling for buzzards! (sees Simba laying on ground) Uh oh, Timon, you better come look. I think it’s still alive. Aw, Timon, look at him. He’s so cute and all alone. Can we keep him?