Newspaper Page Text
UPCOMING PLAYS AND AUDITIONS
There are two local theatre productions in
September, but many more coming in October.
The UGA Dept, of Theatre and Film Studies
Mainstage Season begins in the Cellar Theatre
with The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild: A
Road Trip, by Greg Owens, Sept. 23-25, 29 &
30, Oct. 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 3 at 2:30
pm. On the journey Tulsa Lovechild takes to
scatter her mother's ashes, she encounters
wonderfully eccentric characters, each on their
own journeys. See www.drama.uga.edu/.
Edward McCreary as Clyde makes off with Paige Pt'laski as Kelly Jo in The Life and
Times of Tulsa Lovechild: A Road Trip.
Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) presents
The Haunted Honeymoon, Sept. 24-26 at
the Quinn Theatre. This delightful comedy is
based on Busman's Honeymoon, a novel by
Dorothy L. Sayers, and was adapted for the
stage by Frances Limoncelli. The novel was
also the basis for two films titled The Haunted
Honeymoon, one in 1940 starring Robert
Montgomery and Constance Cummings and the
other in 1986 starring Gene Wilder and Gilda
Radner. Check athenscreativetheatre.com/ for
more info.
Looking for some interesting improvisation
performances? Check out the UGA Theatre and
Film Studies DeptA student Improv Athens
group, which performs every other Wednesday,
starting Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. The Commedia
Troupe is scheduled to perform on Oct. 18.
More about these groups will be forthcoming
in later Theatre Notes.
October brings several productions opening
in the area, and various companies have either
just completed or are about to have auditions
for these shows. Schools and colleges usu
ally restrict auditions to students and faculty,
but many companies open auditions to the
community.
I asked several directors about auditions,
and their responses may be of interest to you
who want to audition or who just want to
know how these actors up there were chosen.
I received five pages of extraordinary insights
and information from these folks; five pages
that should be read by every aspiring actor
and director who want to know what to do
and, more importantly, what not to do, in
auditions. I'll share the overall information in
this column but w»U delve into this wonder
ful resource in other pieces (especially the
responses to "What are some of the most
bone-headed things you've seen actors do in
auditions?*).
Everyone who responded affirmed that
casting the show is one of the most important
tasks for a director—some said 80-85 percent
of directing is casting the right actors for the
parts. While most hold auditions in which
actors read sections of the play or perform
prepared pieces, some companies use inter
views and work with a group of people from
which they cast the plays.
What was most interesting to me was
the consensus of the directors about what
they look for when making decisions about
whom to cast. Of course, a level of talent is
expected, but most said they also look for
how the actor interacts with others—how
well he or she collaborates and works with
others as a team.
One high school
director said, "... I
obviously look for
talent and natural
ability... but 1
want actors who
have a good work
ethic, and who can
be positive team
contributors."
Even professional
directors look fcr
"strong energy,
commitment to the
craft of acting and
a reputation for
being a good team
member." Actors
who know the play
and parts for which
they are auditioning, who are honest about
schedules and conflicts and who take direction
well, are likely to be successful. Interestingly,
talent and ability, while important attri
butes, are just part of the package; being a
dependable, collegial cast member is equally
important.
That being said, here are some approaching
auditions for you to consider. October audi
tions open to the public include Town and
Gown Players, Oct. 11 & 12, for the cult clas
sic The Rocky Honor Picture Show, which will
run from Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 9-12, 2010. For
young actors in the community, Young Actors
Studio will hold auditions on Oct. 11 & 12, for
Miss Nelson Is Missing, based on the popular
children's book by Harry Allard. The show will
run Dec. 10 & 11 at the Seney-Stovall Chapel.
More details will appear in the next Theatre
Notes, but look at this array of October
productions! Town and Gown Players, Epic
Proportions, Oct. 8-10 and 14-17. UGA Dept,
of Theatre and Film Studies, The Arabian
Nights, Oct. 12-15 and Oct. 17, as well as
the improv Athens and Commedia Troupe
performances; North Oconee High School, *
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,
Oct 15-17; Prince Avenue School, Fine Arts
Night, Oct 19; Town and Gown Players,
Night of Pinter, Oct 22-24; JV Productions,
A Night with Edgar Allen Poe, Oct 26 & 27;
and Athens Academy, Anatomy of Grey, Oct.
28-30. Rose of Athens begins their tour
ing show of Frankenstein Lives, available for
booking Oct 1, 2010-Mar. 4, 2011. Email dan-
ielle@rcseofathens.org for more information.
November brings at least seven more produc
tions, induding two shows at the Classic
Center!
This is truly a luxurious wealth of theatri
cal adventures for actors, directors, designers,
techies and audiences alike! Support the per
forming arts by attending live performances
everywhere. Remember; theatre is life, film is
art and television is furniture.
Rick Rom thealre@nagpole.com
rig cny bri ADCArr
Join us for
DINNER
Local Vegetables
Local Eggs
from Nature's Harmony Farm
King Arthur Flours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Non-Sat & Sunday Brunch
395 b . Pin Ic\ bt. off Prince \\
Cs\U*v\mi u <iiial
7 OG- 3 5 3-00 2 9
www.bigcitybreadcafe.com
.'JSj
TAnAnAnAnAr any way you slice it,
JOAQUIN PHOENIX HAS BLOWN OPEN A DOOFfON CELEE CULTURE.
HE MUST BE CALLED THE BRANDO OF HIS GENERATION."
IM !< > 1 \ t \
r
g y f *
ill
i it'
/ b
I \ \
EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT CINi
STARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Athens 353-3343
t m stilllier e mu
.