Your Invitation to Act

I'm on a mission.

I'm looking for people who want to try doing what I'm doing. I am acting on stage as a way to raise money for a worthy not-for-profit theatre company.

Why I'm Doing It
It's for a lot of reasons. Mainly, I enjoy it.

But that's too self-serving to admit. So here's my public reason...

This not-for-profit theatre company — let's just call it "Available Light" — has a do-gooder attitude about serving everyone in the community, without regard to anyone's ability to pay for fancy theatre tickets. So all their shows offer tickets at the awkward price of Pay What You Want.

The shows I am in, however, are designed to generate funds for the otherwise risky Pay What You Want offer. So — for these shows only — we charge a minimum price ($15) and swoon whenever anyone pays more than that.

Selling Out
We call these shows "sell outs." We mean that in both senses of the word:

Economically, we seek to sell out at the box office. So far, we've sold approximately 3,000 tickets to the shows wherein I have tripped dangerously close to "acting." We actually sold out twice during the most recent run.

Artistically, we recognize that we are (somewhat) selling out by choosing plays that are more popular than the more challenging and original fare of Available Light's regular season. It's not a real soul-sucking artistic sell out: we manage to find plays that are deeply meaningful and satisfying. They're just popular — is that so wrong? 

Who I'm Looking For
I seek:

1. People who want to try acting. The ideal candidate has not been on stage as an actor in many years — or ever. This person feels like a ham, but canned and ready to come off the shelf.

2. People who seek a self-actualizing experience. This might feel (in the ideal candidate) like a gnawing hunger for a new creative risk and — hey! — maybe acting is the right risk.

3. People who want to be immersed in a worthy text. The next show is To Kill A Mockingbird, arguably the best novel ever written. There is no better way to read a book — than to read it with friends learning how to act the book.

4. People who are willing to work on this. The ideal candidate will come to rehearsals, ready to work. Some roles are smaller than others. For those who want dip a toe in the water: townspeople. For those who want to jump in: there are lines to be memorized.

5. People who are willing to audition with Ian Short. (See details below.) At the audition, the ideal candidate will have some natural presence and will respond to direction — and be a person that Ian can see filling one of the roles. You don't have to be a pro. Amateurs encouraged and trained!

6. People who have a large social network. The ideal candidate will attract a couple hundred people to buy tickets. Perhaps those so-called friends just want to see what the heck is [Louie] doing. That's OK. These are fundraisers, so selling of tickets is important.

Can you think of this person? If so, let me know.

Even if this person is you.

The Audition and Show Details

Audition for To Kill a Mockingbird dramatized by Christopher Sergel from the Pulitzer prize-winning 1960 novel by Harper Lee. Directed by Ian Short.

OPEN CALL: Friday, January 29, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (show-up anytime)
OPEN CALL: Saturday, January 30, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (show-up anytime)
CALLBACKS: Sunday, January 31, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. (by invitation only)

Location: the Vern Riffe Center - Enter on State Street, go to the third floor and you'll be escorted to the audition room.

Performances June 24-27, 2010. Most rehearsals will be in the evening, Sundays-Thursdays, beginning in May.

This is an independent, community theatre production and a fundraiser for Available Light Theatre. Actors will not be paid.

REQUIRED: One monologue, two minutes or less, prepared material preferred; cold readings will be available for those who need them.

CALLBACKS: If you are called back, you will be notified by email by 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 31 and asked to attend a callback session from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. that day.

For more info: avltheatre@gmail.com

Don't think about this.
Just audition. If you are first-timer, the audition will be a fascinating, rewarding experience. Working with Ian Short, even during a brief audition, is an honor.

Comments

[Amy Drake]

I am looking forward to the audition. Acting on stage is so exhilarating!

[Peter Boyuk]

I may try out next time around! It's been too long since I've been on stage. Acting with you under Ian's direction would be a thrill.

Unfortunately, this time I'll be out of town June 5-13.

Good luck!

[Cheryl Harrison]

I think I might have to audition for this. Thanks, Artie :)