Auditions
Tuesday, April 13th at 6:30pm or Thursday, April 15th at 6:30pm
What is ACT1? ACT1 is a community theater with a focus on wholesome entertainment. Now in our 15th year, we’re proud to bring you top-quality theatrical productions. You’ll find us in performance in several major productions each year. Among our many full-length shows have been Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Wind in the Willows, Annie, The Sound of Music, and many others. Our most recent production was Dear Ruth. ACT1 is the proud recipient of several Metropolitan Atlanta Theater awards for the 2005-2006 season, including 5 for our production of Fiddler on the Roof. We are sponsored and supported by Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, and provide entertainment to the community without religious bias. In addition to using many experienced theater folks, one of the objectives of our work is to provide a venue for actors and crew who have never tried anything like this before. We enjoy having new folks discover a love of theater – whether that’s acting on the stage, or building sets, or making costumes, or as a stage hand, lighting technician or sound technician. As new cast and crew members “learn the ropes” and become seasoned pros, they may decide to try their hand at stage managing or directing. All of our cast, crew and management are volunteers. But, no matter what role you choose, this will be the most fun that you’ve had in a long time.
Tell me about this play: For 6 generations Louisa M. Alcott’s “Little Women” has remained the most popular juvenile novel written by an American and the characters of Jo, Meg, Amy, Beth, Marmee, Laurie, Professor Bhaer and John Brooke have lived in and gladdened the hearts of millions upon millions of boys and girls all over the world, for this classic of American life has been translated into every known tongue. It is a story that never has and never will grow old because it deals with the greatest of human emotions – a mother’s love for her children and their appreciation of it, and her. Who can forget wild, romping, tomboy Jo and her desire “To be the man of the family.” Of her sacrificing her glorious hair to help finance her mother’s trip to Washington when the telegram arrived saying her father was dying. Of her writing “The Christmas Play,” rehearsing Amy in the fainting scene and then the playing of the drama on the fateful night when everything went dead wrong and they all ended up in a heap on the floor. Her side-splitting pranks with Laurie, her quarrel with Amy, who has destroyed her first written story. Her beautiful scenes with Little Beth when they both knew the Angel of Death was hovering near. Of her going to New York, meeting Professor Bhaer in Mrs. Kirk’s rooming house, their comedy courtship and ultimate marriage. These in themselves furnish material for several plays but are only incidents in a story replete with drama and comedy. For as yet, we have not touched upon Aunt March and her crotchety croakings against the love affair of Meg and John Brooke and of her weakening when the twins, Daisy and Demi, arrive. Nor have we mentioned Laurie’s bewilderment upon discovering that his heart and hand belonged to Amy and not Jo. And last but not least have we specified the great incident that makes this story one that will live through the ages—Marmee’s sound motherly advice and counsel to her daughters. All the circumstances of this great story have been told in one set, with wonderful music and the added fun of neighbors joining in on several fun musical numbers.
What are the roles available? This show requires adults and teens only. Women:
Men:
What about rehearsals? Our schedule calls for 3 rehearsals a week, for 11 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of performances. Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, April 18th. Rehearsals are normally on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm and on Sunday at 2:00 (Please note – if you have worked with ACT1 before, this is a slight change in the Sunday Schedule). Not everyone is scheduled at every rehearsal – at least in the beginning. As we work individual scenes, only the actors in those scenes need to be there. We take very seriously your commitment and your time. The schedule will be laid out in advance, and only vary rarely deviated from. You will never be expected to hang around waiting for the director to get to your part. The very first rehearsal will be a “read-through” and will include the entire cast. It’s just what it sounds like – we’ll all sit around and read the script, and listen to the music. It’s the time to meet your fellow actors, hear the Director’s vision for the show, begin to assimilate your character, work on any tricky pronunciation, etc. We’ll give you your copy of the script, your copy of the music, the schedule, and any other material you’ll need. The next set of rehearsals we’ll be working on learning the music and choreography. Come ready to sing and dressed to move… After that, the next set of rehearsals will be broken down, scene by scene, and we’ll do the “blocking”. Blocking is the term used for any stage movement – crossing from one side to the other, sitting down, standing up – all the stuff that supports your lines. Bring a pencil and make notes in your script as you work. Once everything is blocked, the next few rehearsals will go back through those scenes and work on them some more. By this time, you need to have your lines and songs memorized for the scenes that we’re working that day. Once we’re through these “working” rehearsals, we’re now about 9 weeks in, and we’ve worked on every scene for at least 3 rehearsals, and it’s time to combine them, and run the full act, and later the full show, fine-tuning as we go. Expect about 37 rehearsals in all. There are some breaks in the schedule for holidays and other things at the church which would interfere with rehearsals.
When are Performances? Currently, there are plans for 11 performances of this show, July 16 – August 8th. Here’s the performance Schedule:
Tickets cost $12-$15, and you can have all your fans call the box office at 770-663-8989 to make their reservations. Each cast member will get two tickets free. In addition, cast members may buy more tickets at a discount, for family and friends.
What am I committing to? By coming to auditions you’re not committing to anything. Come try us out and see what you think. If we offer you a part, and you accept, then you are definitely making a commitment to attend every rehearsal possible. That means you can’t miss a rehearsal unless it’s absolutely necessary and you’ve told the Stage Manager in advance. No absences during the last two weeks of rehearsals. Even if you have your part down pat, and don’t feel you need to be there, remember that your fellow actors are dependent on you being where you’re supposed to be. If someone has a line to deliver to you, and you’re not there, it makes it very difficult to stay in character and keep the scene running smoothly. A major factor in a production not getting to a polished, professional level, is a cast that is erratic in attendance. OK, enough preaching – just want you to understand the importance.
Can I Review the Script in Advance? Scripts are available in the office for check-out (after 3/24). We do not charge for them, but they must be returned within 1 week, or no later than April 14th, whichever comes first, (please note – this is before the first audition) and are subject to availability. Who Will Be Working on This Show?Anne Voller will Direct this show.Joel Lillithun will be the Music Director and Accompanist.As of this printing, the Stage Manager and Choreographer have not been set – but will be shortly!
What will auditions be like? We’ll have you sign in and fill out an audition form to tell us about yourself. Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before – experience is not required. If you have a headshot, bring it along. If not, we’ll take a picture to help us remember who’s who after you’re gone. Everyone who’s auditioning will be in together, and you’ll be asked to read scenes from the play. It’s known as “cold reading”, because you’re not expected to memorize anything in advance. The material you need will be given to you. However, you may want to review the script in advance, to become familiar with the characters. Since this is a musical, you’ll be asked to sing and dance as well. The Directors, Stage Manager and Choreographer will run the auditions, and you’ll be asked to come up a couple of times to read. We’re all friendly, so we promise that it won’t be intimidating. You may be asked to read a part that you’re obviously not suited for, or that you have no interest in. It doesn’t mean you’re being considered for that part, but rather helps us gauge your flexibility and range. No parts are pre-cast, and everyone who gets a part will have auditioned at one of the 2 scheduled times, unless special arrangements are made in advance. We don’t generally do “Call-backs” (that’s when a short-list is compiled and some people are asked to re-audition), but will choose a cast based on the regular auditions. Among the things we’ll be looking for are:
How will you pick the cast? Many things go into putting a cast together. Of course, your performance at the audition is important, but so are other things that are not in your control. The script dictates to a large extent who will be cast. As an example, Meg should be in her early 20’s. Mrs. March should be old enough to be mother to Meg. They should look like they could be family. So casting is a process of finding good actors, of an appropriate age, who fit in combination with the other actors.
When will I know if I’m cast? If we are able to cast you, we will call you no later than the day after the last audition. For this show, that means we’ll call by Friday, April 16th. If you don’t hear from us, we were not able to use you this time. The number of people who audition prevents us from calling everyone. But remember, that doesn’t mean you did a poor job, and please – come back to audition for another show.
What about….? or any other questions that I forgot to cover, please give me a call – Lisa Matchen, 678-371-3079, or email to lkmatchen@bellsouth.net |