Audition Information
Dear Ruth
Auditions
Tuesday, Jan 5 @ 6:30pm
Thursday, Jan 7 @ 6;30pm
Location
ACT1 Theater is located inside Alpharetta Presbyterian Church at 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
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 Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus ACT1 is the proud recipient of several Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards, 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
Using the name of her elder sister (Ruth), a young girl (Miriam) carries on a romantic correspondence with an overseas soldier (Bill). When the soldier takes a leave and shows up on the Wilkins’ doorstep, what can the Wilkins do but play along? Ruth agrees to go on with the charade, which starts a series of hilarious complications and plot twists. But in the end, is it fate?
What are the roles available?
This show requires 4 Men and 5 Women
Male
Lt Bill Seacroft - Early/Mid 20’s - Eager, excited, persistent and completely
duped soldier/pen pal on leave.
Judge Wilkins - Early 50’s - Cool-headed, respected and loving father
Albert Kummer - Early/Mid 20’s - Ruth’s fiancé. A sweet young man who
gets sucked into a crazy plan.
Sgt. Chuck Vincent - Early /Mid 20’s - Bill’s best friend. Young, sweet
soldier.
Female
Ruth Wilkins- Early/Mid 20’s - Proper young lady who just can’t bring
herself to tell the truth and break Bill’s heart.
Miriam Wilkins - 16 years old - A politically-minded young girl who’s
best intentions got everyone into this whole mess.
Edie Wilkins - Early 50’s - Lovely modern (1940’s) mom.
Martha Seacroft - Early/ Mid 20’s - Bill’s sister and Chuck’s sweetheart.
Young heart and in love.
Dora - any age - Wilkins’ family maid
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. The Director and Stage Manager 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.
Among the things we’ll be looking for are:
Speaking voice quality – Can you project, so that you’ll be heard
from the back of the auditorium?
Energy – can we hear the interest and excitement in your voice?
Facial Expression – Does it match the words you’re reading?
Character – Can you “be” the person you’re reading?
Willingness – Can you follow instructions and give it your best shot?
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, Miriam should be a teenager. She should look somewhat like the others we cast as her 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, Jan 10th . 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 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.
What about rehearsals?
Our schedule calls for 3 rehearsals a week, for 9 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of performances. Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, Jan 10. Rehearsals are normally on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm and on Sunday at 3:00 (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, the schedule, and any other material you’ll need. 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 memorized for the scenes that we’re working that day. Once we’re through these “working” rehearsals, we’re now about 4 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 27 rehearsals in all. There might be one or two added rehearsals near opening, if we seem to need them.
When are Performances?
Currently, there are plans for 10 performances of this show,
March 5 - March 27. Here’s the performance Schedule:
Day |
Date |
Time |
Friday |
Mar 5 |
7:30pm |
Saturday |
Mar 6 |
7:30pm |
Friday |
Mar 12 |
7:30pm |
Saturday |
Mar 13 |
7:30pm |
Sunday |
Mar 14 |
2:00pm |
Friday |
Mar 19 |
7:30pm |
Saturday |
Mar 20 |
7:30pm |
Sunday |
Mar 21 |
2:00pm |
Friday |
Mar 26 |
7:30pm |
Saturday |
Mar 27 |
7:30pm |
Tickets?
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.
Can I Review the Script in Advance?
Scripts are available in the office for check-out as of now. We do
not charge for them, but they must be returned within 1 week, or
no later than Jan 5, whichever comes first, (please note – this is
before the first audition) and are subject to availability.
Who Will Be Working on This Show?
Robin Thornett will direct this show. Dawn Bray will Stage Manage.
Murray Mann on Lights and Sound.
MAT Awards Eligibility
This play is being reviewed as a candidate for the 2010 Metropolitan
Atlanta Theater Awards, or “MAT’s”. As a cast or crew member, you
would be considered for any awards given in your category. There is
no action needed by you to participate - we will handle everything. If
you would like more information on the MATs, the rules, judging
process, etc, check out their website at www.matawards.com
What about….?
For any other questions that I forgot to cover, please give me a call –
Robin Thornett, 404.432.2557, or email to robinthornett@aol.com.
ACT1
Theater