Stage auditions coming up

Several auditions for local theater and opera productions are coming up. It's a rich blend of opportunities for singers, dancers and actors, from edgy drama to Shakespeare to musicals.



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Playwrights' Forum is auditioning for "The Metric System" this Sunday and Monday (Mar. 15 and 16).

The drama, by James Armstrong, is directed by Ruth Johnson who is now appearing in "Hats!" at Circuit Playhouse. Her most recent directing credit was "Twelve Angry Jurors" for Threshold Theatre.

Sunday's auditions are 6 p.m. and Monday's are 7 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 531 S. McLean at Peabody Ave. Callbacks, if necessary, will be Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. Production dates are May 1-17, 2009.

Casting requirements: One female, early 20's to late 30's; One female, early 30's to late 50's; Two males, early 30's to late 50's. All roles are available. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. The show contains adult language and adult situations.

The Metric System is the story of Mary Beth Riley, who, when only 12 years old, was abused by a priest at a Catholic school. "People think it's just boys," she says. "I wasn't the first. And I wasn't the last."

As an adult struggling to get her life together, she strikes up an unlikely relationship with Alan Stevens, a former teacher who lost his job after being accused of beating a female student. Drawn to a darkness she senses inside of him, Mary Beth finds herself simultaneously growing closer to him and desperately pulling herself away. Matters are complicated when Alan's wife Susie finds out about the two meeting and suspects a sexual affair. In truth, however, the bond between Mary Beth and Alan is much stronger than mere sex, and possibly much more dangerous.

The Metric System proceeds with uncompromising logic as these three people search for their own happiness and for the ability to reach out to one another. This dark comedy examines pain, power, and longing as human beings try to work out a new system by which they can live. As Susie wonders, "Maybe you just have to keep stumbling, figuring it out differently each day."

For further information, call 870-733-2403.

We are also looking for a stage manager for this production. If you are interested, please e-mail Julie Reinbold at anglfshe@aol.com

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Hattiloo Theatre is auditioning for "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" this Monday (Mar. 16).

The musical revue is directed and choreographed by Emma Crystal. It opens May 7.

Auditions are 7 p.m. Monday at Hattiloo Theatre, 656 Marshall Avenue. Callbacks are Tuesday at 7 p.m.

"Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" is a musical revue of social issues centered on the African American experience set to a dynamic mixture of gospel, calypso, and rhythm & blues music. It's an ensemble piece with non-stop music, a true musical, full of energy from beginning to end.

Casting requirements: 5-6 African American Men, any age; 5-6 African American Women, any age
All must sing (or at least carry a tune) and dance (or at least move very well). Ideally, they want singers who dance and dancers who sing, and one strong tap dancer.

Prepare one up-tempo and one ballad, 32-bars, preferably r&b or gospel. Bring sheet music if you have it, but be prepared to sing a cappella. Be prepared to dance at the audition and at the call back.

For information: Hattiloo is 525-0009; Emma Crystal is 240-8867.

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Auditions for DeSoto Family Theatre's production of "South Pacific" directed by Jason Spitzer are April 4 at Atmos Energy Building in Southaven,
5249 Pepper Chase Dr off of Church Rd at I-55.

Times are 10 a.m. for children and noon for adults. Children's roles in this show are limited -- boy and girl approximate ages 7-11. Production runs from June 19-28. See www.dftonline.org for details.

DFT is having an audition workshop by the director to improve audition skills for "South Pacific" Mar. 28 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Atmos Energy Building. Cost is $30. Registration is limited and first-come, first-served. Call Michelle Jerome at 901-238-8098 or sign up at www.dftonline.org.

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Tennessee Shakespeare Company will audition for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Julius Caesar" in May, but appointments are required and scheduling begins Mar. 18.

Click here for full details and breakdowns:
http://tnshakespeare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98&Itemid=87

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Opera Memphis Chorus Auditions will be held April 3 and 10 from 5-8 p.m. at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, 6745 Wolf River Parkway.

These are Chorus, Section Leader and Comprimario Auditions for 2009-2010 season, which is "Cosi Fan Tutte" Oct. 31 and Nov. 3, 2009; "Orfeo ed Euridice" Jan. 22-24 and 29-31, 2010; "Madame Butterfly" Apr. 17 and 20, 2010.

OM is especially looking for tenors, baritones and basses for the chorus, but all voice types are welcome to audition.

For information about the Opera Memphis Chorus visit the "About Us" tab at
http://www.operamemphis.org.

Contact Sarah Squire at OM for more info at 257-3100.