Monthly Archives: July 2018

The Drama Workshop Celebrates a Record-Setting Season

TDW_The Girls of Millers Court promo

TDW’s world premiere of THE GIRLS OF MILLER’S COURT received 17 awards for excellence from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati. Tickets for the 2018-2019 season are on sale now. (Left to Right: Susan Unes, Jeanette Tacon, Stephanie Klein, Heather Pfeiffer & Elizabeth Beatty. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

(Cheviot, Ohio) The Drama Workshop has concluded another great year of theatre in its home in the Cheviot business district, setting new records for attendance and critical recognition, and is excited to build on last year’s success as it prepares for its 2018-2019 season.

For the 2017-2018 season, over 4,000 people attended shows at The Drama Workshop, and the theatre company has now welcomed over 20,000 patrons since opening its facility in October 2012.

The group also received a record number of annual awards from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati, with 80 citations for excellence in acting, direction, and other performance and technical areas ranging from scenic design to properties to costuming. This makes the Cheviot-based company among the most widely acclaimed theatre groups in greater Cincinnati.

Among the highlights of the past season was the world premiere of local author Jack Williams’ play, “The Girls of Miller’s Court,” which chronicles the 1888 battle of wits between Jack the Ripper and his intended victims. The show sold out all 9 performances, and brought home 17 awards for theatrical excellence, including for producer Valeria Amburgey, director Jef Brown, and a host of other technicians and actors. The show was named the Cincinnati-region alternate to the Ohio Community Theatre Association state festival to be held in September.

Sold-out performances were not unique to this one show – in the last six years, TDW has seen its attendance increase 300%. Next season, the all-volunteer group is increasing the number of performances for each play to accommodate the increased demand for seats.

Tobie Braverman, TDW’s president, attributes the success of the group to its many volunteers. “TDW can produce quality theatre at an affordable price thanks to all the actors and production crew who commit countless hours simply for the love of live theatre,” she said. “It’s because of them that TDW gets these accolades, and it’s because of them our audiences see consistently great shows. We are extremely proud that the 2017-18 season has continued that trend, and we are excited to move on to the 2018-19 season.”

TDW’s new five-show season kicks off on August 10th, with the hysterical old-style melodrama, “Egad! The Woman in White,” followed by four more shows between October 2018 and May 2019: the American classic, “The Philadelphia Story”; a Christmas-themed musical review, “A Taffeta Christmas”; the thought-provoking “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”; and the inspirational musical, “Working.”

Season tickets are $70 each and may be ordered by phoning the TDW box office at 513.598.8303. In addition to a discount over the regular ticket prices, season ticket holders also receive reserved, preferred seating in what is normally a general seating venue.

In addition to season tickets, single show tickets for “Egad! The Woman in White” are also on sale and can be ordered through the TDW box office. Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly recommended.

THE DRAMA WORKSHOP was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati. TDW productions are frequently selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference, with this past season’s production of “The Girls of Miller’s Court” being named alternate from the region. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 and 2017 American Association of Community Theatre regional conferences. The Drama Workshop has been recognized by the Cincinnati Preservation Association for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse. Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513-598-8303.

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Auditions Announced for HAUNT and WINTERFEST at Kings Island

MISC_Kings Island logoHAUNT and WINTERFEST interviews and auditions begin July 6 and continue through the weekend of Aug. 25 & 26.

All interviews and auditions will be held in the Entertainment Room in the Human Resources Building at Kings Island. No appointments are necessary.

ALL POSITIONS ARE PAID

HAUNT- Actors…
Every Friday & Saturday July 6th through August 25th
Fridays 4:00PM to 7:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Rehearsals for Haunt will begin in the evenings in early September and will be open for operation on:
September 21 & 22, 28 & 29
October 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Please plan to interview early for choice positions.

WINTERFEST- Singers/Dancers/Musicians/Actors/Technicians/ Costumers/Decor Technicians/Specialty Acts/Peanuts Characters

Every Saturday and Sunday July 7th through August 26th
Saturdays 10:00AM to 1:00PM
Sundays 12:00PM to 4:00PM

  • Singers and Musicians should prepare two songs in a Christmas or Musical Theatre style.
  • Dancers will be taught a short dance combination.
  • Peanuts Characters will be taught a short movement combination.
  • Actors should prepare a family-friendly monologue.
  • Technicians, Costumers and Decor Technicians will be interviewed on-site.

PLEASE BRING A LIST OF YOUR AVAILABILITY FROM NOVEMBER 1st through DECEMBER 31st

Winterfest rehearsals will begin in the evenings in late October and early November (depending on the show you are cast in.)

Please plan to interview/audition early for choice position.

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Auditions Announced for CLUE The Musical at La Comedia Dinner Theatre

LAC_logoLa Comedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro, Ohio will be holding auditions for their upcoming production, CLUE THE MUSICAL on Saturday July 21, 2018, 10 a.m., at 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, Ohio.

CAST BREAKDOWN

  • Mr. Boddy – Charismatic, handsome, playful host of the game. Baritone/Tenor
  • Professor Plum – Intellectual with a wry sense of humor. Baritone
  • Colonel Mustard – Pompous military man. Baritone
  • Mr. Green – Sleek, handsome, wheeler-dealer. Baritone/Tenor
  • Detective – Hard-nosed, humorous female. Role requires character singing.
  • Mrs. Peacock – Manipulative, sexy socialite. Mezzo with belt
  • Miss Scarlet – Shrewd, very attractive. Wide range with belt
  • Mrs. White – Fun loving, Cockney maid. Alto with character belt

Prepare 16 bars of a standard musical theatre song (ballad or up-tempo song), bring sheet music in appropriate key.

Please provide a current headshot and resume.

Director/Choreographer is Chris Beiser
Rehearsals begin September 10, 2018.
Performances September 27 – October 28, 2018.
Questions call Kris Byerly at 937-746-4554 ext 241.
Non-equity.

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Auditions Announced for LATER LIFE at Fairfield Footlighters

fflMonday & Tuesday, Aug. 6 & 7 at 6:30pm

Fairfield Community Art Center

Bring list of known conflicts.
Bring resume/headshot
Cold readings from the script.

Directed by Burt McCollom
Runs Sept. 21-30

2 Men, 2W
Austin has spent his entire life convinced that something terrible is bound to happen to him. One night, at a party, overlooking Boston harbor, he has the pleasure of rekindling a romance begun almost thirty years ago with Ruth, now a multiple divorcee. Ruth’s personal life is in such a turmoil that mutual friends look to Austin as Ruth’s last shot at normalcy. At the same time, these friends are hoping the wildly unpredictable Ruth will help loosen Austin from the grip of years of depression and lifelessness. Comically, and sometimes painfully, these two people rediscover each other and themselves while a bevy of free-spirited other guests rally behind them and remind them of the infinite possibilities that life holds, should one choose to pursue them.

Roles:

  • Austin…50’s…
  • Ruth…50’s

Male roles played by one actor:

  • Jim…eccentric…trying to quit smoking
  • Roy…old…grim…complainer
  • Duane…techie nerd
  • Ted…southern gentleman
  • Walt…Austin’s best friend

Female Roles played by one actress:

  • Sally…party hostess
  • Marion…maternal…Roy’s wife
  • Nancy…Long Island trendy fashion plate
  • Esther…Ted’s charming southern belle
  • Judith…looks like an orchestra musician with a New York accent

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Auditions Announced for THE FOREIGNER at Mason Community Players

MCP_logoMason Community Players is excited to announce auditions for its 2018 fall show, THE FOREIGNER.

Join director Darren Lee and his production staff at auditions to be held:

July 31, 2018 and August 1, 2018
7:00 to 9:00 PM

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Those auditioning for the role of Charlie may be asked to demonstrate an ability to do improvisation and physical comedy.
Resume and headshot appreciated but not required.

Performances: September 28-30 and October 4-6, 2018.

Auditions on both days will be held at Theatre 42, located at 2752 S. US Route 42, Lebanon, OH 45036. The venue is just north of Mason on Route 42 … one driveway north of the Southwest Golf Ranch.

Synopsis
Charlie is a pathologically shy Englishman who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. He accompanies his friend, Froggy, on a trip to a small fishing lodge in rural Georgia. So that Charlie can avoid talking to the other people at the lodge, Froggie tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. The fun begins when Charlie overhears more than he should – personal secrets and damaging revelations made with the thought that Charlie doesn’t understand a word being said..

Roles

  • Charlie Baker: Male. Plays late 30s to 40s. Initially a shy, mild-mannered Englishman seeking peace and quiet, Charlie begins to see himself differently through the eyes of the tenants at the lodge. Requires great comedic timing and physicality. Requires some ability to do accents.
  • Froggy Lesueur: Male. Plays 40s to 50s. A British military demolitions expert. Charlie’s caring friend. Requires a cockney accent.
  • Betty Meeks: Female. Plays 60s to 70s. The proprietor of the fishing lodge, Betty is a widow and a long-time friend of Froggy. Good-hearted, generous, “down-home” Southerner. Requires a strong rural Georgia accent
  • Reverend David Marshall Lee: Male. Plays early to mid-30s. Comes off as a charming Southern preacher, but has a dark side. Engaged to Catherine.. Southern accent.
  • Catherine Simms: Female. Plays mid to late 20s. A former southern debutante from a wealthy family who is uncertain about her future. Catherine is Ellard’s older sister and is engaged to Reverend Lee. Southern accent.
  • Ellard Simms: Male. Plays late teens to mid-20s. Seemingly slow and slightly dim-witted, Ellard exhibits genuine intelligence when given the chance. Requires great comedic timing. Ellard is Catherine’s younger brother. Southern accent.
  • Owen Musser: Male. Plays 30s to 40s. Stereotypical southern Klansman. Should be physically intimidating. Heavy rural Georgia accent.

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