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Auditions Announced for CASPER the Friendly Musical and A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

TCTC_new logoTCT AUDITION CASTING NOTICE

The World-Premiere Adaption of CASPER the Friendly Musical
and the holiday favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas

CINCINNATI:  The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is holding auditions in May for two MainStage productions in the company’s 100th Season: the World-Premiere Adaption of CASPER the Friendly Musicaland the holiday favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

TCT is the nation’s oldest children’s theatre and is a professional theatre company. All roles are paid positions.

TCT is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and committed to diverse casting process. All roles are open to all ethnicities and backgrounds.

Upon audition registration, you may indicate which shows you would like to be considered for this season. Auditions are by appointment only.

Young Artists ages 9-18 and Adults 18+ may make an audition appointment.

You only need ONE audition appointment even if you are interested in both productions.

New to auditioning or want to know more about the process or the shows?  Visit thechildrenstheatre.com to sign up for TCT’s Audition Prep MasterClass on May 4th!

Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/auditions to sign-up for an audition appointment.

Appointments can be made for:

  • Monday, May 13, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • May 16, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM

You may be asked to return and attend a “movement callback” on the day of your audition, which will take place from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

CASPER the Friendly Musical callbacks will take place on Saturday, May 18, 10:00AM – 2:30PM

A Charlie Brown Christmas callbacks will take place on May 19, 6:00PM – 10PM

Auditions and Callbacks are held at TCT’s headquarters located at: 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati OH 45227.

For information concerning auditions email Eric Byrd at eric.byrd@tctcincinnati.com.

Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/auditions to sign-up for an audition appointment.

PREPARE:

Please prepare one memorized song that best shows your vocal range. (1-minute max). The song must be an age appropriate. Remember to have your PIANO SHEET MUSIC, as we will NOT be auditioning your a cappella skills. An accompanist will be provided. Your sheet music MUST have the piano part, not just the vocal line, and music should be in a 3-ring binder with the cut CLEARLY marked for the accompanist.

You only need a song. You do NOT need to prepare a monologue.

You may be asked to show your dance ability later in the evening. Please bring attire with you to change into in case we ask you to return.

You must bring a RECENT 8×10 headshot and UPDATED performance resume. Even if you upload to the audition website, a hardcopy of your headshot and resume is required.

Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes ahead of your appointment to check/correct previously submitted paperwork. If we are ahead of schedule, we may audition you early.

Due to concentrated rehearsal periods, we ask that you do not have conflicts during rehearsals. In an effort to best facilitate all rehearsal times, all those auditioning will be asked to list all conflicts at the time of the audition. Conflicts will result in a stipend adjustment. Please take note of when rehearsals begin, the day and evening tech and performance schedule, and bring your calendar with you to the audition.

ABOUT THE SHOWS:

CASPER the Friendly Musical
Book and lyrics: Stephen Cole
Music: Matthew Ward
Orchestrations: Luke Holloway & Dave Christensen

Adaptation: TCT and Roderick Justice. By special arrangement from Universal Theatrical Group.

Directed by: Roderick Justice
Choreographed by: Eric Byrd

TCT takes Casper center stage in this world-premiere musical adaptation for young audiences! Everyone’s favorite friendly ghost and his three uncles live a rather uneventful existence in the family mansion. Fifty years after their lives were cut short in a lightning storm, Magdalena, their former maid, re-enters their (after)lives! Now a celebrity TV Host, she is looking for the deed to the mansion… not because she wants the house, but because she believes there’s a message on the back that will lead her to a “great treasure”. As competition reality TV is all the rage, she hosts a live treasure hunt in the mansion on Halloween. One lucky young contestant could win $1 million if they find the deed! It is up to young Casper and his new friends, the contestants, to save the mansion from Magdalena, and discover the greatest treasure of all! Casper the Friendly Musical is in the style of a typical big Broadway musical with standard vocal requirements.

Rehearsals: September 7 – October 5, 2019

Mon – Thurs: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10AM – 4PM

Tech in the Taft Theatre: October 9 – 11, 2019

Daytime/Evening Performances: October 12 – 21, 2019

Morning and Afternoon performances during school days. Afternoon and evening performances Friday-Sunday.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:

  • CASPER: Young Male, Unchanged voice. Portrays 11-12 years old. A joyful and curious boy whose life was recently cut short because of a lightning storm. Must be able to carry the show and captivate the audience. Will fly. Loveable and friendly, but never scary. Actor, Singer, Dancer. Experience flying and using heely shoes a plus.
  • MAGDALENA: Adult Female between 60-70 years old… but being a big Hollywood star… she doesn’t look it. Her style is a mixture of Daphne Guinness, Iris Apfel, and Elvira. Fame and treasure are all she seeks and will do whatever it takes to find the greatest treasure of all. Actor, Singer, Dancer. Alto
  • DONALD: Young Male, changed-voice Bari-tenor, Portrays 12-13 years old. Clumsy and an outsider, but not a pushover. He is revealed as Magdalena’s nephew, and she has asked him to rig the competition.
  • UNCLES STRETCH, STINKY, and FATSO: Adult Males. Casper’s Uncles. As former Vaudeville performers, they miss their tap-dancing days. Unlike Casper, the Uncles are a bit grouchy they are no longer living and are pretty annoyed they are unable to cross over to the other side because Casper is waiting for his parents to return. Unfortunately, they do not have the heart to tell him they’ve already on the other side. Character Singer/Actors, with strong tap skills. Experience using heely shoes a plus.
  • BETTINA: Teen Female, Belter, Portrays 15 years old. Bettina is the oldest of the kids in the competition and the tallest. She is a popular, beautiful, bully. But she eventually changes her ways. Bettina experiences flight when Casper takes her hand during a game of pretend. Flight experience a plus. Actor/Singer/Dancer.
  • MINNIE, COCO, and LANE: Casper’s Aunts (wives of Stinky, Fatso, and Stretch) return after a failed “ghostbusting” attempt by Magdalena. The Aunts were also zapped in the lightning storm which offed Casper and the Uncles. Unfortunately, they were soaking their feet in water and are footless ghosts. With the Uncles, the Aunts are part of a big show-stopping blacklight tap number to reunite with their feet. Tapper, Actor, Singers
  • PIERCE: Teen Male. Pierce is your typical 15-year-old, beach loving, wave surfing, California tween. Dude, everything is like so totally awesome in Pierce’s world! Actor, Singer, Dancer
  • GRETCHEN: Teen Female. Portrays 14-15, Alto. Tough, Tall, Mighty. Don’t mess with her.  She is Bettina’s side kick and does whatever Bettina wants her to do. Actor, Singer, Dancer
  • PRECIOUS: Young Girl. Very small. Must Portray 7-8 years old. Tiny, adorable and LOVES sweets of any kind.  She is always seen with some form of candy in her hand.  Actor, Singer, Dancer.
  • BRADLEY:  Young Male. Portrays 10-11 years old. Smallest boy. Slightly smaller than Casper. He is a Preppy, technology loving fashion plate. Think Ritchie-Rich from a very well-off family.
  • ENSEMBLE: A group of 10+ Adults and Teens who play a wide variety of characters and features including parents, television crew members, tappers, and flashback characters. Many of these roles understudy other characters. Dancer, Singer, Actors.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
By Charles M. Schulz

Based on the television special by:
Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer

By special arrangement with: Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson.

Directed and Choreographed by: Roderick Justice

Back by popular demand! The whole family can celebrate the season with our live rendition of your favorite holiday special! Following the famous television special word-for-word (and frame-by-frame), Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang are here to remind us all about what’s most important during this Yuletide season.

Rehearsals: November 4 – 27 and December 1, 2019

Mon – Thus: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10AM – 4PM, Sun the 1st: 6:30-9pm

Tech in the Taft Theatre: December 4-6

(Daytime/Evening)

Performances: December 7 – 16

Morning and Afternoon performances during school days. Afternoon and evening performances Friday-Sunday.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:

  • CHARLIE BROWN: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must Ice Skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • SNOOPY:  Adult Male. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must be able to do pratfalls, howl, and pantomime to tell a great story. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater. Tumbling a plus!
  • LUCY: Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a Young Girl. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must Ice Skate. Self-assured, somewhat bossy friend to Charlie Brown. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • LINUS:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Best friend of Charlie Brown. Actor, Singer
  • PIG PEN:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Messy and dusty friend of Charlie Brown and part of the gang. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • FRIEDA:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a Young Girl. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Part of the gang. Lovely red head very proud of her curls. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • SCHROEDER:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young boy.  Part of the gang. Plays the toy piano and love interest of Lucy. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • VIOLET:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • SALLY:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Charlie Brown’s sister who is in love with Linus. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • PATTY:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Known as Peppermint Patty. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Actor, Singer.
  • FRANKLIN: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a young boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Part of the gang. Franklin was the first African American character in the strip. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • MARCIE: Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • SHERMY: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a young boy.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • WOODSTOCK: Adult or Teen, Any Gender. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must be able to puppeteer and pantomime to tell a great story. Actor, Puppeteer.
  • ENSEMBLE: The group of Teen Actors and Singers portraying a variety of iconic characters from the Peanuts gang and will understudy principle roles. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon. They sing, dance, skate, and help make the television special come to life on stage.

The ability to ice skate is a plus for all characters.

-end-

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Kivie Productions Present a Double Feature

KP_Double Feature logoWritten and Directed by Kalman Kivkovich

Yes, August 2019 is about four months away, but is closing fast . . .

At my age of 84 . . . okay 74 . . . it is hard work for a guy who is considered a senior citizen.

One old friend once told me that to be awakened before 10 AM is immoral, period.  Well, Sandi and I, both senior citizens, wake up at 6 AM seven days a week.  We both have much to do and not enough time to do it.

A couple of months ago, I told the world about my new theatre venture, a double feature of two of my new short plays, SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD and GRANDMA ROZI.

KIVIE PRODUCTIONS is on record as the Production Company.

SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD – DRAMA – written and directed by Kalman Kivkovich,is a Holocaust Story: A Jewish Orthodox teenager with his strong determination to save another young life earns himself a new beginning. The story is set in 1965 in Israel and 1943 in the Ghetto of Nazi-Occupied Sosnowiec, Poland.

GRANDMA ROZI – COMEDY – written and directed by Kalman Kivkovich, loosely based on a short story by the Israeli author Ran Appelberg.
An eccentric Israeli grandmother makes a difference in her grandson’s life.
Set in present time in Israel.

The TWO PLAYS are heading to the stage of Aronoff Center in Cincinnati for a Double Feature in August 2019.

Aronoff Center, Fifth-Third Bank Theater
The dates: August 20, 21 & 22, 2019 – 7:30 PM . .. . Admission $20.
Tickets are already on sale at the Aronoff Center Box Office.
Also on line: www.cincinnatiarts.org and by phone: 513.621.2787.

Save and get the tickets at the ticket counter on Walnut Street.

What a CAST!!! Yes, what a CAST!!!

SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD – Holocaust DRAMA

  • Alan Kootsher – [MOSHEH / MOISHE]
  • Nik Pajic – [MOTI]
  • Dennis Blom – [YOSSEF / TADEK]
  • Michael Loos – [NAZI MAN]
  • Raine Mari – [Little MOTTEL] . . . the new little Yentl on the block.

GRANDMA ROZI – COMEDY

  • Chessie Vigran – [GRANDMA ROZI]
  • Jeremy Spitzig – [RAMI]
  • Elizabeth Hickerson – [NOMI]

SUPPORT TEAM:

  • Kalman Kivkovich – [Playwright / Director / Producer]
  • Sandi Kivkovich – [Associate Producer, Props]
  • Richard Zenk – [Stage Manager]
  • Sara Krehbiel – [Assistant Stage Manager]
  • Tom Deren – [Musician, Accordionist]
  • Tom Ralston – [Props, Sound]
  • Hagit Limor – [Presenter]
  • Michael Skaggs – [Photographer]
  • Carola Timmerding – [Photographer]

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MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE! | Mon., Oct. 7 | Aronoff Center

CAA_MasterChef Junior Live logoANNOUNCING THE DEBUT TOUR OF MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE!
COMING TO THE ARONOFF CENTER ON OCTOBER 7 

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH]  TCG Entertainment and EndemolShine North America are thrilled to announce the hit culinary competition MasterChef Junior is debuting its first live tour this fall and coming to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 26 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS}, and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. $20 tickets are available for children (ages 2-12) and are available in select locations.

MasterChef Junior Live! brings the hit FOX-TV show MasterChef Junior directly to you LIVE! Featuring head-to-head cooking competitions with past MasterChef Junior all-stars and fan favorites, Q&A sessions, and an overall immersive audience experience that is fun for all ages.

Come be a part of MasterChef Junior Live!  It’s an experience for the whole family and a recipe for a guaranteed good time!

About TCG Entertainment
TCG Entertainment – www.TCGENT.com – is the industry leader in the creation, production, booking, and marketing of live entertainment productions and events. TCG has over twenty years of experience in the entertainment industry with a focus on symphonic, family, music, and other live touring properties.  Current and past productions include multiple productions of Cirque Musica (www.CirqueMusica.com), 4U: The Music of Prince with SymphonyA Night of Symphonic Hip HopA Night of Symphonic RockREWIND – Celebrating the ‘80s, and more.

About EndemolShine North America
Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the U.S. and across the globe. Endemol Shine North America is part of Endemol Shine Group, the global content creator, producer, and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies that are behind some of the most prominent hit television formats and series in the world.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSORS:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), CINCINNATI-NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONDA DEALERSFURNITURE FAIRLOCAL12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Courtyard Marriott & Residence Inn-Rookwood, Graphic Village, Heidelberg Distributing, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Cincinnati Downtown, Macy’s, Millennium Cincinnati, Pepsi, Skyline Chili, TriHealth, Ultimate Air Shuttle

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DESCENT: A Murder Ballad to Premiere at Cincinnati Fringe Festival

CFF19_Descent

Original Poster Artwork by Zach Ghaderi.

(Cincinnati, OH — April 23, 2019) –– Featured as part of the Primary Lineup in this year’s Cincinnati Fringe Festival, DESCENT: A Murder Ballad, with a book and music by Hannah Gregory and directed by Caitlin McWethy, will premiere on Sunday, June 2 at 8:30pm at Know Theatre.

The folk musical about marriage, miscarriage, and murder began development in 2015 as a concept album featuring three songs before it morphed into a musical featuring a nonlinear plotline and dialogue. Development escalated in 2018 when Gregory received an Artist Enrichment grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women to finish and produce the show. DESCENT: A Murder Ballad’s involvement in Cincinnati Fringe Festival marks its official premiere to the public.

While audiences can expect beautiful language, original music, and timeless themes like self-discovery and good versus evil, they can also prepare to explore darker themes like the effects of miscarriage, relationship deterioration, and the female vigilante. Additionally, DESCENT: A Murder Ballad seeks to move women’s experiences to the forefront of theatrical storytelling both through the script and through the artistic leadership of the show itself.

The cast features Tess Talbot in the lead role Annie with a supporting cast of Wes Carman as Paul, AJ Baldwin as Ruby, Ellyn Broderick as Mabel, Hannah Jones-Diaz as Vada, Dylan Shelton as The Butcher, Charlie Roetting as Abraham, Hannah Gregory as The Angel, and Maliyah Gramata-Jones as Swing

Fringe-goers can catch DESCENT: A Murder Ballad at Know Theatre on the following dates and times:

  • Sunday, June 2 at 8:30pm
  • Thursday, June 6 at 6:30pm
  • Saturday, June 8 at 7:00pm
  • Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30pm
  • Thursday, June 13 at 6:30pm

RATED PG-13. Trigger warning: miscarriage and violence

Follow DESCENT: A Murder Ballad’s journey to fruition on social media:

Original Poster Artwork by Zach Ghaderi (attached)

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Discover the Unexpected at Know Theatre’s CINCINNATI FRINGE FESTIVAL

CF19_logoMay 31 – June 15, 2019

(Cincinnati, OH) Weirdness descends upon the Queen City as we unveil the wonderfully eclectic mix of programming that composes the 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festival’s Primary Lineup.

As the region’s largest and longest theatre and arts festival, this much-beloved annual event will once again welcome hundreds of artists and thousands of patrons to the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Our 14-day extravaganza of art and entertainment ensures that you’ll experience more than you could possibly imagine. Fringe is bold. Fringe is whimsical. Fringe is Kinda WEIRD. Like YOU!

From a pool of over 100 applicants, a jury of local theater educators, professionals, and journalists have helped us curate a Primary Lineup of 34 hour-long productions. As the core component of the festival, these shows feature an immense variety of disciplines, themes, influences, and cultural representations. Performances are scheduled throughout two weeks (excluding Mondays) to maximize your time and allow you to take in all that Fringe has to offer.

Fringe Producer Chris Wesselman describes the festival as, “Artistic trailblazing, highlighting some of the freshest creative minds and experienced talents both Cincinnati and the nation have to offer. These productions are created by independent artists whose passion is unparalleled and, as Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground, Know Theatre is proud to host such amazing innovators. Audiences won’t find a better opportunity to encounter the extraordinary.”

The 16th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival takes place May 31 – June 15 in a dozen unique venues across the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Tickets and Passes are on sale now. For complete ticket and pass information, please visit www.cincyfringe.com/purchase.

Calendar Listing

Event: The 16th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival

When: May 31 — June 15, 2019
Individual performance and event times vary.
Visit https://www.cincyfringe.com/the-lineup/primary-lineup/ for more information.

Where: Fringe Headquarters (Know Theatre)
1120 Jackson Street 45202
Individual performance and event venues vary.
Visit https://www.cincyfringe.com for more information.

Tickets: $15 single tickets
Multi-show pass options available.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.cincyfringe.com/purchase
or by calling 513.300.5669 (KNOW).


Additional Programming

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.  

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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