Monday, December 30, 2024
Auditions for THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS at Ghostlight Theatre announced for January 12
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-The-Moon Marigolds
Summary:
Director: Emma Denny
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-The-Moon Marigolds explores the life of a mother and her two daughters. Frowzy, acid-tongued Beatrice Hunsdorfer, supporting herself and her daughters by taking in a decrepit old boarder, wreaks a petty vengeance on everybody around her. One daughter, Ruth, is a pretty but highly strung girl subject to convulsions, while the younger daughter, Tillie, plain and almost pathologically shy, has an intuitive gift for science. Encouraged by her teacher, Tillie undertakes a gamma ray experiment with marigolds that wins a prize at her high school. Proud and yet jealous, too filled with her own hurts to accept her daughter’s success, Beatrice can only maim when she needs to love and deride when she wants to praise. And yet, as Tillie’s experiment proves, something beautiful and full of promise can emerge from even the most barren, afflicted soil.
Characters
Beatrice: A middle-aged widow, struggling financially and emotionally, with a sharp tongue and tendency to lash out at her daughters, often expressing deep-seated frustrations about her life.
Ruth: The older daughter, blunt with a dry wit, dealing with epilepsy and often acting out due to her insecurities.
Tillie: The younger daughter, quieter and more introspective, with a strong interest in science and a talent for experimentation, who uses her marigold project as a way to escape her difficult home life.
Nanny: An elderly boarder living with the Hunsdorfers, who is mostly silent and serves as another burden on Beatrice.
Janice Vickey: A rival student at the science fair who presents a shocking experiment involving a dead cat.
Audition Information:
When: Auditions will be on January 12, 2025 at 8am and will run until 11am. Sign Up to Audition Here.
The show will run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from March 20-30.
What: Auditioners will be given one to several cold reads of the script. Review Audition Sides Here.
Resumes and headshots are not required, but appreciated.
Where: Ghostlight Theatre, 13541 West Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, AZ 85375.
Video auditions will be accepted until end of day Jan. 12 for anyone who cannot attend in person. Please contact productionmanager@ghostlightaz.com for details.
Save on tickets for OLIVER! at TheaterWorks!
Save $7 off any ticket to Oliver! by using Code: PHXSTAGES7
Your first look at SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
photos by Billy Hardiman and Brennen Russell
Auditions for CHARLOTTE'S WEB and SNOW WHITE at Actors PLAYground announced for January 4
Charlotte’s Web Auditions – Jan 4
Director: Amber Ryan and Yesmeen Duncan
Casting: Youth 5 male/9 female
Date: January 4th
Time: 1:00-3:00
Location: Actors PLAYground 11340 W. Bell Rd Surprise, AZ
Prepare: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Plan on staying the whole time. Audition Form
Production Fee: $200 (if cast)
Rehearsals Begin: Jan 7 Rehearsal Schedule
Performances: Feb 21-Mar2
All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web in which she writes, “Some pig.” It’s the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship that will give your actors a great opportunity and your audience an evening of enchantment.
Character breakdown Audition Scenes
Fern Arable (f) a young girl
John Arable (m) Fern’s father
Martha Arable (f) Fern’s mother
Avery Arable (m) Fern’s brother
Homer Zuckerman (m) Fern’s uncle
Edith Zuckerman (f) Fern’s aunt
Lurvy (m/f) a hired hand
Wilbur (m/f) a pig
Templeton (m/f) a rat
Charlotte (f) a spider
Goose, Gander, Sheep, Lamb (m/f) farm animals
Reporter, Photographer, Spectators, Judges, Announcer (m/f) bit roles
Snow White Auditions – Jan 4
Director: Jim Gradillas and Michelle Marie
Casting: Youth 6-17
Date: January 4th
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Actors PLAYground 11340 W. Bell Rd Surprise, AZ
Prepare: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Plan on staying the whole time. Audition Form
Production Fee: $200 (if cast)
Rehearsals Begin: Jan 7 Rehearsal Schedule
Performances: Jan 31-Feb 8
Synopsis: Adaptation Written by Jim Gradillas
Snow White Characters: Audition Scenes
Snow White (The beautiful Princess who loves everyone and is trying to find her way)
Prince (Leads a journey to find his princess)
Clovis (The Prince’s right-hand man. Bumbling and awkward)
Queen/Ribbon Lady/Old Hag (The evil Queen who wants to be the fairest of them all at any cost)
Mirror (The wise cracking sarcastic mirror to the Queen)
Huntsman (The gentle, not so tough hunter)
Snow White’s Ladies in Waiting: (They teach and guide Snow White about the ways of the tough world)
Eleanor
Francesca
Martina
Karyssa
The servants: (They try to teach Snow White how to be royalty)
Blanca
Katarina
Helena
Clara
The Gentlemen that work for the Prince (The Lords who help lead the journey to find Snow White and tackle obstacles in the evil forest):
Artus
Peter
Hans
The Jesters: (The wild slapstick comedy team to the Queen)
Zany, Punchy
The Dwarfs: (The helpful bunch who lends help to save Snow White)
The Evil Fairies: (Working for the Queen, they are tough, potion making evil teen
fairies)
Echo
Crystal
Fenris
Fauna
Cast announced for CASH ON DELIVERY at Hale Centre Theatre
Eric Swan: Josh Hunt
Linda Swan: Amanda Valenzuela
Norman MacDonald: Daniel Hunt
Mr. Jenkins: Jere Van Patten
Uncle George: J. Clay Lawson
Sally Chessington: Gracie Gamble
Dr. Chapman: J. Kevin Tallent
Ms. Cowper: Dyana Carroll
Miss Brenda Dixon: Alixandra Giordano
Mr. Forbright: Raymond Barcelo
Understudies:
Eric Swan: Cameron Rollins
Sally Chessington & Miss Brenda Dixon: Karissa Anderson
Linda Swan: Alaina Beauloye
Norman MacDonald: Joshua South
Mr. Jenkins: Dennis Kelsch
Uncle George: Jim Roehr
Dr. Chapman & Mr. Forbright: Justin Howell
Ms. Cowper: Bobby Jean Owensby
WEEK AT GLANCE: December 30-January 5, 2025
Click on any show title to get more information on that production
.jpg)
OPENING SOON:
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
January 9-11, 2025
Friday, December 27, 2024
Auditions for FREAKY FRIDAY at Mesa Encore Theatre announced for January 6 & 7
.jpg)
Director: Gianbari Deebom
Assistant Director & Stage Manager: Bray Lawrence
Musical Director: Thomas Hartwell
Choreographer: TBD
Ages: 12 - 100. This is a large cast and we need a wide range of actors of all ages. Actors of color and queer identities are encouraged to audition.
Audition Dates:
January 6th, 2025 at 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
January 7th, 2025 at 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Video Auditions:
Accepted through January 6th at 11:59 PM
Callbacks (by invitation only):
January 9th from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Audition Location:
900 S Mitchell Drive, Tempe AZ 85281
When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again!
Follow this link to learn more and sign up for an audition slot: https://www.mesaencoretheatre.com/auditions
Questions? Email freakyfridaysm@mesaencoretheatre.com
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Monday, December 23, 2024
Auditions for THE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES OF A CARROT AND POTATO at East Valley Children's Theatre announced for January 7 & 8
Auditions are coming up for our next Main Stage Production of “The Underground Adventures of a Carrot and Potato.”
Jan 7th and 8th (pick one day)
5pm, ages 8-11
7pm, ages 12-18
(Callbacks Jan 9th from 6-9pm)
A FREE audition workshop will be held on Saturday Jan 4, 9:30-11:30am.
Kids will learn more about the story, characters, and the unique vision of this production. Valuable audition techniques will be taught and a mock audition will prepare actors for the official audition process.
TheaterWorks’ Executive Director Chris Hamby Named 2024 Piper Fellow
TheaterWorks is proud to announce that its C.W. McMillin Executive Director, Chris Hamby, has been selected as one of the 2024 Piper Fellows by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional nonprofit leaders in Maricopa County and provides them with transformative opportunities for professional growth, reflection, and learning.
As one of only seven leaders selected for this year’s Piper Fellows cohort, Hamby joins an elite network of nonprofit changemakers dedicated to advancing their organizations and communities. The Fellowship provides up to $90,000 in potential grant awards to support the professional development of both the Fellow and their organization.
“I am deeply honored to receive a Piper Fellowship and this rare opportunity for renewal, exploration, and growth,” said Hamby. “Through this journey, I look forward to gaining new perspectives and innovative practices that will help me better serve our diverse and evolving community. This Fellowship will allow me to connect with leaders who are pushing the boundaries of arts engagement and return with fresh insights that empower TheaterWorks to create even greater impact.”
As Executive Director of TheaterWorks, Hamby has made significant strides in advancing the organization’s mission to engage, inspire, and connect the community through the performing arts. Since taking the helm, he has expanded educational programming to reach nearly 400 students annually, eliminated historical debt, and increased organizational revenue by nearly 50 percent. His visionary leadership has driven the development of award-winning programs that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility for diverse audiences, including youth and individuals with disabilities. Hamby’s contributions to the arts have been widely recognized, earning him accolades such as the Governor’s Arts Award and the Arts Hero recognition from Arizona Citizens for the Arts.
Through the Piper Fellowship, Hamby will embark on a customized learning journey that includes participation in the Shannon Leadership Institute, the Stanford Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, and the Disney Institute’s Leadership Excellence program. He will also conduct site visits to leading arts and community organizations in the Twin Cities, Nebraska, and Seattle, where he will study Creative Placemaking, Creative Aging strategies, and mentorship best practices. This immersive experience is designed to further strengthen his leadership capacity and position TheaterWorks as a pioneering force in arts engagement and education.
“Chris’s selection as a Piper Fellow is a testament to his unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and community impact,” said Director of Patron Development, Paul Pedersen. “His forward-thinking leadership has elevated TheaterWorks’ role as a vital cultural resource for the community. We are thrilled to see him receive this well-deserved recognition and opportunity for growth.”
The Piper Fellowship offers nonprofit executives the chance to pursue hands-on learning, engage with sector leaders, and foster new perspectives that strengthen their organization’s impact. Each Fellow’s experience is designed to promote personal and professional growth, while also enhancing the effectiveness and connectivity of their organizations.
Joining Hamby in the 2024 class of Piper Fellows are six other leaders from renowned organizations across Maricopa County, including Foundation for Senior Living, Childsplay, Arizona Educational Foundation, House of Refuge, Sonoran University of Health Sciences, and Down Syndrome Network.
For more information about the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and the Piper Fellowship program, visit pipertrust.org. For updates on TheaterWorks and Chris Hamby’s journey as a Piper Fellow, follow @theaterworksaz on Instagram, TheaterWorksLive on Facebook, or visit theaterworks.org.
WEEK AT GLANCE: December 23-December 29, 2024
Click on any show title to get more information on that production
.png)
OPENING SOON:
Friday, December 20, 2024
Auditions for THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON at TheaterWorks announced for January 11 & 12
TheaterWorks is thrilled to announce auditions for The Old Man and the Old Moon, an enchanting tale of adventure, love, and music! Directed by Chris Hamby with musical direction by Lincoln Wright, this production will showcase the talents of 7 multi-talented performers who are proficient in musical instruments.
Audition Dates:
Saturday, January 11: 5 PM - 8 PM
Sunday, January 12: 11 AM - 2 PM
Performance Dates:
March 28 - April 13, 2025
If you’re a versatile performer who can act, sing, and play a musical instrument, we want to see you!
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
The Bridge Initiative's “Tiny Beautiful Things” and “Crooked Shadows” To Play Tempe Center for the Arts
The Bridge Initiative returns to Tempe Center for the Arts with original productions of Tiny Beautiful Things and Crooked Shadows presented in repertory this winter. Both plays center strong female characters and use laughter and tears to explore healing. The performances run Friday, January 31st through Friday, February 7th, 2025, tickets $18-$25 (plus fees). These plays were identified and recommended by a selection committee of community volunteers and programmed by Bridge’s Producing Artistic Director Amie Bjorklund.
Tiny Beautiful Things is adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos from Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling book. The New York Times writes that the play explores “the endangered art of listening to – and really hearing and responding to – other people.” When struggling writer Strayed was asked to take over the anonymous position of an advice columnist called “Sugar,” she used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small. The play personifies the questions and answers that “Sugar” published online from 2010-2012. Jodie L. Weiss plays Sugar, joined onstage by Debra K. Stevens, Shelly R. Trujillo, and Jillian Walker, in a production helmed by Director Elena Conti, with Stage Manager Courtney Kenyon, Lighting Designer Aurora J. Winger, Costume Designer Richard Mickey Courtney, Understudies Erin Buvala-Benites & Amanda Noel Trombley, and other creatives TBA.
Crooked Shadows is a one-woman play, written and performed by guest artist Shawneen Rowe, in residency from New York City. Crooked Shadows offers heartfelt stories from a vibrant Italian American home. As a granddaughter pieces together the stories of her grandma to solve a family mystery, she reaches a deeper understanding of her own experiences and uncovers a legacy of silent trauma. Rowe states, “Stories are gifts we give to each other. We laugh together. We cry together. We heal together... We need to step out of the shadows.” The play is directed by Daniela Crispo, with Stage Manager MJ Beckett and other creative collaborators TBA.
Various performance times January 31-February 7, 2025, at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado, Tempe, AZ 85281. Tickets available in person at the box office, online at https://purchase.tempecenterforthearts.com/Events, or by calling 480.350.2822 - $25 general admission; $18 students/seniors/artists/educators (plus fees). 50% discount code will be announced at each performance for patrons to come back and see the other show. More info at bridgeinit.org. Content transparency: these plays include mature language and discussions of sexual assault, child abuse, substance abuse, death, suicide, grief, and other sensitive topics related to personal struggles and trauma.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Review Highlights: THE CHRISTMAS CAROL: A QUEER FANTASIA - All Queer Shakespeare
 |
| Anthony Martinez and Ryan Glover Photo by Amber Pommerening-Wheeler |
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)
"Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has had hundreds if not thousands of film, TV, and stage adaptations. One of the more recent ones, James Cougar Canfield's The Christmas Carol: A Queer Fantasia, puts a gay spin on this well-known tale. All Queer Shakespeare, one of the newest theatre companies in Phoenix, has chosen this play as their premiere production. While it's not Shakespeare and I have a few quibbles with the play and this production, it ties into the company's inclusive, gay-centric mission and makes for a fun yet still serious twist on this classic story....Canfield infuses a gay sensibility into the familiar story by making Scrooge a closeted gay man who had a relationship with Dick Wilkins before he chose money and fear from the feeling that being gay wouldn't have been accepted over simply being his true self...However, the play does lag a bit in spots and under Monica Sampson's direction, which is often quite good, there are some moments that could be tightened, especially in the second act which meanders....The cast is quite good, with each member bringing moments of depth and realism to their performances, making this timeless tale come alive in a fresh way. As Ebenezer Scrooge, Ryan Glover does a fine job balancing the character's initial bitterness and mean-spirited nature with moments of vulnerability and a nicely delivered gradual transformation to an acceptance of his true self. " - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)