Menta

6/20/17

AUDITIONS FOR FESTIVAL PLAYHOUSE OF KALAMAZOO COLLEGE FALL 17 PRODUCTION – and college premiere – of the Tony award-winning musical Fun Home by Lisa Kron & Jeanine Tesori

A. PRODUCTION STAFF We’re thrilled to announce that Vocal Direction will by Denene Mulay Koch, a professional actress and singer, currently residing in Kalamazoo (Denene has worked a lot at Farmers Alley and you can find out more about her at: http://www.kazoocivic.com/mulay-koch-denene-biography We’re just as thrilled to announce that the few dance numbers in the show will be choreographed by senior Kat Russell! (no, I don’t have a bio for Kat, but she did a great job as one our dance captains for ITH)! The orchestra will be conducted by our very own Professor of Music Tom Evans (I’m REALLY happy to be working with Tom again)!

B. AUDITION PROCEDURE: Eventually all audition info will be at https://reason.kzoo.edu/theatre/currentstudents/FPproductions/

i. WHEN: Week One Tuesday and Wednesday Sep. 12/13 from 7pm-10pm.

ii. WHERE: Actors should report to the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse Lobby at least 20 minutes prior to their audition time in order to complete the audition form.

iii. HOW: Actors will sign up for an individual 10-minute audition slot on the callboard and should prepare to sing at least two verses (memorized) of a show tune (not necessarily from FUN HOME). Bring the sheet music for our accompanist. What sort of song should you choose? One that shows off your ability and energy as singer and actor. If we have time, we may ask you to read a scene from the text. Actors are free to leave after their 10-minute singing and reading is complete.

iv. CALLBACKSIf you are called back, all actors are expected to stay for the full session on Thursday Sep. 14 pm-10pm. There will be more singing, a dance check, and some readings from the text.

v. ARE WE GOING TO CAST CHILD ACTORS? No, I don’t think so (although I won’t close the door on that completely in case I meet some incredibly talented child this summer. The Theatre Arts faculty also considered the possibility of hiring a guest artist). Yeah, I know it’s written for three child actors, but I should have had them lined up by now – especially considering the material. Besides, I didn’t want to make 1/3 of a 9 actor cast ineligible for our students.

C. REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

i. This play will rehearse Monday thru Friday 6:30-10pm. Depending on the size of the role, all actors may not be called for rehearsal every night. All actors are in rehearsal every night two weeks out from opening night (see below).

ii. This play goes up Week 8 Thursday Nov 1 and performs thru Sunday Nov. 5. There is also the possibility of an added matinee on Saturday Nov. 4.

iii. KCACTF: We are entering this show in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, which is in Winter 18 term Week 1 in Indianapolis. It is VERY MUCH A LONG SHOT that we would be selected, BUT IF we were, we would come back 2 days early for Winter term and rehearse the show again on the afternoons and evenings of Saturday/Sunday January 6/7, do a benefit performance (to raise money for the expenses) on Week One Monday Jan. 8 here in K'zoo, and the depart for Indianapolis on Week One Tuesday Jan. 9.

D. ANYTHING ELSE?

Yeah, since Lisa Kron is a K alum, we’re thrilled as hell to be the first college in the nation to produce this play (as we were for Lisa Kron’s WELL and as we were for Samuel Beckett’s WAITING FOR GODOT)! We’re trying to get Lisa to come see it, but, unfortunately, that looks doubtful. I think it’s a thoughtful, funny, and ultimately moving musical, and that’s a pretty cool combination. You can find out more about the play at: http://funhomebroadway.com/