Aloha Performing Arts Company

Auditions
July 6,7 @ 6:30pm

APAC HOLDS AUDITIONS FOR 17th ANNUAL ORIGINAL PLAY FESTIVAL

Aloha Performing Arts Company will conduct open auditions for volunteer actor/readers for its 17th annual Original Play Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday July 6 and 7 at 6:30 p.m. Six plays will be featured in the four day festival, August 18 through 21, and there are nearly 50 roles available. Rehearsal commitment is minimal, and memorization is not required, because the shows are presented as staged readings, with actor/readers holding scripts. No experience is required, and newcomers are encouraged to audition. "OPF" is an easy way to get involved in theatre without a major commitment of time and energy. Festival actors frequently go on to be involved in mainstage productions.

Wednesday August 18, "A Ghost in the House," a mystery comedy by John Meyers, will be presented, directed by Felicity Johnson. Roles include Sarah, age 10, a spoiled chatterbox; Liz, early 30's, her single mom; Millie a busybody widow, who is Liz's mother and Sarah's grandmother; Howard, 35-50, a ghost who in life was a type A workaholic; and three cameo roles: a property manager, a salesman, and a burglar.

Thursday will feature a triple bill. The first show, a romantic comedy entitled "A Purr-fect Love," by Waimea resident Ruby Cat Moon will be directed by Cathy Riehle. Characters include Arch Louis, a bachelor in his 30's; Della Manfredo, a bachelorette in her 30's; Pops Louis, a dapper Italian man in his 60's; Mama Manfredo, a loud, flamboyant Italian woman in her 60's; Mina Gallo, a 10 year old girl with attitude; Mrs. Contadino, a magical gypsy in her 70's, Jasmine, a sleek, black female cat; and C-A-TEE, a scruffy male calico cat. Second on the evening's bill is "The Answering Machine," a one act comedy by John Meyers, directed by Karen Barry. Roles available are Dr. David Richardson, a middle aged psychologist; Dotty, his psychic receptionist; Betty and Fred Sturgeon, a middle aged couple constantly arguing; Daisy, a shy, quiet woman, and Donald, a nerdy guy with a nasal voice. Following intermission, "Gold," a comic mystery by Kona playwright Andrew Chiocca will be presented, directed by Rexanne Ring. Characters to be cast are Aldous Midasian, an amoral entrepeneur around 50; Dion, a prescient woman about 35; Senator Carver, a corrupt politician; Rhonda, Aldous' ex-wife; Lily, their 8 year old daughter; Mr. Prah and Mr. Semerenko, board members; Mr. Yutch, an SEC investigator; and four voices: Timmy, a young boy; Roesha, a telemarketer; Patty, a relative; and a bank manager.

Friday's offering is "A Shadowed Cross," a mystery thriller by Julius Galacki of Los Angeles, directed by David A. Payne. Roles include Elias Kara, a monk; John Kara, a private detective; the Ghost of Justin O'Neill, former partner of John Kara; Katrina Ivanovna, a femme fatale; Lucian Seville, smuggler and art thief; Darwin Joy, a fallen member of the ruling class, and four ensemble actors who will each play multiple supporting roles.

The final play of the festival is "Lucky to Have Friends," a comedy by Ocean View playwright Dick Hershberger, directed by Arlene Araki. Set in a group home for the mentally ill, it features Tom, who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome; Milton, who has five separate personalities; Bart, a bipolar manic-depressive; Sarge, a savant; Otto, who is obsessive-compulsive; Jerry, a germophobe; Sam, a schizophrenic; Scott, a social worker; Alice, a middle aged Asian woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's; and Nancy, Alice's caregiver.

Each play will have five rehearsals, usually on the same night of the week as the performance, and the festival will be presented at the Aloha Theatre August 18,19,20, and 21, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain each night. Auditions will consist of reading from the scripts. Each director will read actors for a short period of time, in performance order, and all directors will be listening and watching all auditions. Unlike usual APAC audition protocol, actors seriously interested are encouraged to attend both evenings if possible. Scripts are accessible online at www.apachawaii.org, and hard copies are available for onsite perusal at the APAC office Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. til 4 p.m., or by special arrangement. For more information, call 322-9924.

6/20/10