If you are an actor in the Kent and Queen Anne’s County Area this is an exciting and busy week. Church Hill Theatre and the Garfield Center for the Arts in Chestertown are both having Open Auditions for their next production. They will be holding them on the same days, Tuesday June 26th, Thursday June 28th, and Saturday June 30th, 2018.
At Church Hill Theatre Director Shelagh Grasso is casting for The Sisters Rosensweig by Wendy Wasserstein. The Sisters Rosensweig has excellent roles for men and women, with particular focus on the sisters, pushing against the boundaries of their own lives in order to define themselves. Times for the Auditions are 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday and on Saturday at 10am. Performance dates will be the weekends of September 7 – 23, 2018.
Jennifer Kafka Smith will be directing the Wishcamper Adaptation of Animal Crackers, Book by George S. Kaufman & Marnie Ryskind; Music and Lyrics by Bert Kalmer & Harry Ruby. She is encouraging everyone to audition. Audition time is 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday at 11pm. Performance dates are the weekend of September 14 – 30, 2018.
The Sisters Rosensweig
Set in 1991, the richly woven dialogue of the three Jewish-American women not only tackles their personal struggles and triumphs, but also makes real several social and political issues that gave shape to the time. Wasserstein raises questions about the fall of the Soviet Union, Reaganomics, and the plight of the homeless with a deft, human and wit-filled play.
Characters break down as follows:
Sara Goode:(female 50-60) An elegant and dignified successful international banker living in London
Tess:(female 17-22) Sara’s daughter. Quite the revolutionary
Pfeni:(female 40-45) A journalist and world traveler
Gorgeous:(female 45-55) A radio “doctor” Overdone and definitely “gorgeous”
Geoffrey:(male 45-50) A theatre director. Attractive, contemporary and bisexual.
Mervyn: (male 60ish) a synthetic furrier and friend of Geoffrey
Nicholas: (male 60ish) Very well groomed, influential and British ( must have formal British accent)
Tom: (male 20-25) Tess’s boyfriend. A rough and ready young revolutionist. Needs a Liverpool accent
Actors are asked to prepare a short monologue that shows your ability to develop a character. There will also be readings done from the script. Contact the Church Hill Theatere at 410-556-6003 or office@churchhilltheatre.org with any questions.
Animal Crackers
Jennifer Kafka Smith will be directing Animal Crackers (Everyone is encouraged to audition.
– Prepare an up-tempo song either from a Broadway musical or from the era of the 1920/30s. Please bring sheet music. We need to hear you sing with piano accompaniment.
– Come prepared to move. Please wear closed shoes and clothing appropriate for dancing.
The cast includes (in many cases, age is not a key factor):
Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho) – He is funny and fierce, with incredible verbal dexterity. He’s the anchor of the team; a charming wiseguy. A strong character actor, must be extremely comfortable with physical comedy and be able to sing and dance. This does not require a Groucho impersonation, but certain characteristics of voice, movement, and delivery are part of the role. Tenor.
Horatius Jamison (Zeppo) – The straight man to Groucho’s antics. Tenor.
Emanuel Ravelli (Chico) – Ravelli is a band leader; the musical actor in the ensemble. Ideally seeking an actor who plays the piano and/or other instruments. A loose cannon with great improv sensibility. A character singer. Must be able to speak with old world Italian accent. Baritone.
The Professor (Harpo) – Has an uninhibited, playful, childlike demeanor with an irrepressible libido, seems oblivious but knows what is going on around him, carefree and innocent he does not observe boundaries of class, status, gender, age, and property, steals things but it seems like more of a game than a malicious or desperate act, must be extremely adept at physical comedy, while an exact impersonation of Harpo is not necessary certain characteristics of movement and delivery are a part of the role, experience with mime/clowning a plus. (Male/Female).
Mrs. Rittenhouse – The host of the party, a wealthy society matron who is always put together, a real dame, money is no object, preserving and asserting her status is an ongoing occupation; must have strong dance/movement ability and be adept at physical comedy; strong vocal skills, able to sing in the 30s style; Mezzo-Soprano.
Hives – Head Butler of Mrs. Rittenhouse. Hives is extremely witty and great with status. Verging on stuffy. Very Jeeves-like the servant who can insult you to your face, but you take it as a compliment. Baritone.
Doucet – Doucet is an art-loving Frenchman/woman, cultured and dripping with arrogance, a bit of a drama queen. Tenor/Soprano. (Male/Female)
Arabella Rittenhouse – Arabella is Mrs. Rittenhouse’s daughter, an educated debutant who has been out in society for two months, smart as a whip and knows what she wants, she and Wally Winston make a sophisticated and erudite couple. Soprano.
Mrs. Whitehead – Mrs. Whitehead is a neighbor and rival of Mrs. Rittenhouse, a conniving socialite trying to thwart Mrs. Rittenhouse’s success, she’s sharp, smart, sarcastic and clever, lacks ethics and morals. Soprano.
Grace Carpenter – Grace is Mrs. Whitehead’s sister and partner in crime, sexy and worldly-wise. Soprano.
Wally Winston – Wally Winston is a hard-working newspaper columnist, sexy, sarcastic and full of charm, an intellectual with a great love of life. Tenor.
John Parker – John Parker is an earnest young lover. A traditional leading man interested in Mary Stewart. Tenor.
Mary Stewart – Mary Stewart is the earnest ingénue, has a big heart and believes in a brighter future. Soprano.
Roscoe W. Chandler – Roscoe W. Chandler is a wealthy, single tycoon, has millions, supports the arts and wants to marry Mrs. Rittenhouse; must be able to do some physical comedy and have strong movement skills. Baritone.
Sgt. Hennessy
Second Policeman
Dream Dancer
Scouts
Harem Girls
Ensemble
All parts will sing and dance (move).
Those who are unable to attend auditions can contact Jennifer Kafka Smith at jennifer.animalcrackers@gmail.com or the theater at 410-810-2060 to make other arrangements.
For more information please visit the Garfield Center website.