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Sunday, September 13, 2015

CHATHAM PLAYHOUSE’S FANTASY THEATER SEEKS ACTORS FOR CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION

AUDITION NOTICE

Chatham Playhouse’s Fantasy Theater Seeks Actors for

The Christmas Bus
by Robert Inman
directed by Lynn Polan

WHEN: Sunday, September 20 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
WHERE: The Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham

WHEN: Monday, September 21 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
WHERE: Stanley Congregational Church at 94 Fairmount Ave, Chatham.

Production dates are December 10 - 20, 2015
Rehearsals will begin in October.

It's Christmas Eve, and Mrs. Frump, the bumbling but dedicated director of the Peaceful Valley Orphanage, has a Christmas surprise for her orphans: she wants her kids to experience the holiday with a real family – and no one will stop her! Not the law-abiding Sheriff Snodgrass, not the gossipy busybodies of the Board of Trustees, not even a broken down old school bus that’s seen better days. Add a hitchhiking troubadour with a few dreams of his own to the boisterous orphans on the bus and you have a rollicking and touching holiday adventure for the whole family.

We are looking for a multi-generational cast ages 6 and up to play the 10+ characters. Those auditioning will be asked to read from sides available at the auditions.

Character Breakdown

  • Mrs. Frump: 50s-60s; Director of the Peaceful Valley Orphanage; warm, kind-hearted and well-meaning, but bumbling
  • The Editor: 40s-70’s; sings a little; the narrator, he’s writing a story for the Christmas edition of his newspaper
  • Thomas: 18; sings; the oldest orphan; a mechanical genius; mature for his age; Mrs. Frump’s right hand man
  • Sheriff Snodgrass: 40s-50s; the local lawman and tireless investigator; kindly; the voice of reason
  • Hortense: middle aged; one of the Busybodies, one of three harpies who make life difficult for Frump; the bossy one
  • Myrtle: middle aged; one of the Busybodies, one of three harpies who make life difficult for Frump; finicky; the stickler
  • Ethel: middle aged; one of the Busybodies, one of three harpies who make life difficult for Frump; the follower; note taker of the group
  • The Orphans: ages 6-14; all sing; nicknames “the Hooligans;” Frankie, Clara, Donald, Hilda, Eugene, Louann, Casey, and Jenny.
  • The Troubadour: 20s; sings and plays guitar; traveling folk singer; earnest; a dreamer
  • Darlene: 20s; the Troubadour's girlfriend; loves him, but has a practical, down to earth side

Characters who sing will be asked to sing a cappella (perhaps a Christmas carol of their own choosing).

Orphans may be asked to do a short physical improvisation. Those determinations will be made during the audition and casting process.

The Chatham Players have an open call casting policy. ALL roles are open, none are precast, and everyone is encouraged to audition.

Any questions, please contact Steffi Denmark at skdenmark@optonline.net.

For additional information about the musical/script, please visit Dramatic Publishing - www.dramaticpublishing.com .

For directions or additional information on The Chatham Playhouse, please visit www.chathamplayers.org