A potpourri of arts news items from local and national sources.
Rebecca Kling.
American Theatre article: Know a Theatre: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Filed under Notes
Justin McCombs as Antipholus of Syracuse & Maggie Lou Rader as Lucianna in Cincinnati Shakepeare Company’s THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company-based couple Maggie Lou Rader and Justin McCombs will join local actress Erin McCamley as the three-person cast of Paula Vogel’s AND BABY MAKES SEVEN, presented by the Queen City Queer Theatre Collective. Directed by Lindsey Augusta Mercer, the dark comedy follows couple Anna and Ruth and their friend Peter as they await the arrival of their newborn child, but first they must rid the crowded apartment of their three imaginary children.
The play reading, the third production in the new theatre company’s season, will be in the second floor cabaret space of Below Zero at 7:30p on Monday, Jan 12, and is sponsored by Absolut Vodka. QCQTC uses theatre to celebrate and encourage dialogue around queer experiences. A $5 donation is suggested.
Filed under Press Releases
Bruce Cromer as Ebenezer Scrooge in Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Photo by Sandy Underwood.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company kicks off 2015 by staging Samuel Beckett’s absurdist play, WAITING FOR GODOT.
In GODOT, two loveable, hapless vagrants, Gogo and Didi, grapple with the mysteries of the universe, trading barbs and banter as they await the arrival of the eternally truant Godot.
Director Brian Isaac Phillips has cast Bruce Cromer and Nicholas Rose as the vagrants in this vaudevillian production. Both actors are easily recognizable to Cincinnati audiences.
MISC_Nick Rose Scrooge
Nick Rose backstage as Scrooge.
Last week, Cromer completed his tenth season as Ebeneezer Scrooge in Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Bruce took on Scrooge when Joneal Joplin stepped away from the role, making Cromer the Playhouse’s fourth actor to play Scrooge.
This year was Rose’s fifth production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, on stage as Mr. Cupp and several other ensemble characters. He also had the responsibility of understudying the role of Scrooge.
As it happens from time to time in live theater, Bruce Cromer injured his ankle during a mid-December matinee. Fellow cast member Doug Rees (Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present) posted this on Facebook.
Our “Scrooge” injured his ankle giving his always 110%, brilliant and fully committed performance at the matinée of A CHRISTMAS CAROL today; the hope is to have him back by Tuesday. In his place tonight stepped the formidable and remarkably poised Nick Rose. He could be forgiven if he managed to simply get through it; but he did oh so much more than that! Kudos to him, and to Christopher Richardson, Ollie Corchado and Alex Georges Purcell, who all stepped admirably into their understudy tracks as well!
Nicholas Rose and Bruce Cromer.
By stepping into a performance as Scrooge, Nick Rose goes down in Playhouse history as the fifth actor to play Scrooge.
Local theater-goes have a great opportunity to see these two fine actors together in WAITING FOR GODOT. For me, it’s a “must-see” this theater season. I do expect this production to sell really well, so don’t wait to long to get tickets.
Press release | Production page |
Filed under In Other News
Corinne Mohlenhoff . Photo by Daniel Winters.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Jan. 23-Feb. 21
Over-the-Rhine
Adapted for the stage by Joe Stollenwerk
Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips
Starring Corrine Mohlenhoff
In the near future, what’s left of the United States has become a theocracy known as the Republic of Gilead. As with many women in Gilead, Offred has had her name and family taken from her, forced to become a Handmaid, a vessel for population growth, valued only for her viable ovaries. In the midst of the oppressive new regime, and armed with memories of life before the revolution, Offred struggles to maintain her individuality, personhood, and hope for a better possible future.
More information can be found http://cincyshakes.com/auditions/
CINCINNATI, December 23, 2014— The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is excited to announce its auditions for the 2015-2016 season. The auditions will be held at our theatre, located at 719 Race St in downtown Cincinnati on the following dates:
AVAILABLE POSITIONS:
Touring Company– This is the entry level position to the ensemble. It’s a group of 6 actors that tour to schools, colleges, community centers, etc., within a two-hour radius of the city (these tours are almost never overnight). They perform a variety of programming, including 3 full length Shakespeare plays. They are also called on to go into schools and lead workshops on particular plays or performance techniques. In addition, they play a variety of supporting roles in our larger mainstage productions. It is a ten month contract running from July to May. The weekly salary is $200 and housing is provided. Must be Non-Equity.
Guest Artist- This is an artist brought in for a specific production. While generally shows are cast from the Resident Ensemble and Touring Company, occasionally due to cast size, availability or specific casting requirements we bring in additional artists. Contract and pay scale varies dependent on union status, size of role, etc. May be Equity or Non-Equity.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please prepare two contrasting classical pieces, at least one of them Shakespeare. The combined pieces should not exceed 4 minutes; and if you have any additional classical pieces in your repertoire, it couldn’t hurt to dust them off, as you may be given an opportunity to perform them. Those auditioning for a Touring Company position may also have a very brief interview with the Education Director.
MATERIALS TO SUBMIT:
Please submit a current Headshot/Resume, as well as a cover letter. Please specify in the cover letter whether you are interested primarily in a Touring Company or Guest Artist position. For those interested in a Touring Company position, the cover letter should also include the following:
We are endeavoring to go entirely electronic this year, so please upload all materials to Jotform via the following link: http://cincyshakes.com/auditions/
We ask that all materials be submitted by Saturday, January 10th. If there are any issues, or you need to submit your materials via snail mail, contact Artistic Associate Jeremy Dubin at jeremy.dubin@cincyshakes.com.
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION:
You can sign-up for an audition slot via the website: http://cincyshakes.com/auditions/
We ask that, if at all possible, you schedule your audition by Saturday, January 10th. If you sign-up for a slot, but later find you will be unable to attend, please remove your name from the list. This is a new system for us, so if there are any issues or questions, please contact Jeremy Dubin at jeremy.dubin@cincyshakes.com.
AN EXCITING BONUS!
Since you are being kind enough to share your work with us, we’d like to do the same and offer you a complimentary ticket to see WAITING FOR GODOT, which will be running during the time of the auditions. Once you’ve scheduled your audition, simply contact the box office (513-381-BARD). Mention your name and that you’re an auditioner, and we’ll be happy to set you up with a ticket to see the show.
FAQs
I’m interested in becoming a part of the Resident Ensemble. What’s the process?
Members of the Resident Ensemble usually either graduate up from the Touring Company, or are Guest Artists that we have worked with a number of times. This gives both parties a chance to get to know each other before committing to a more long-term arrangement- in other words, go on few dates before getting hitched.
Are EMC points available?
Yes.
I can’t make it to any of the allotted audition dates. Can I still audition?
If you absolutely can’t make it on any of the days listed, let us know and we can try to arrange an audition at a different time. It’s best to try to audition before the dates listed, as the casting process will begin very shortly after those dates. If you are from out-of-town, and are going to be in the area prior to the official auditions, we’re happy to try to set up an audition while you’re here to save you some travel costs.
Do you accept video auditions?
We’re happy to take a look at video submissions, though we will almost always want to see an actor in person before casting them.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE E-MAIL THEM TO: jeremy.dubin@cincyshakes.com
Thanks so much, and we’ll hope to see you in January!
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces a dozen mainstage productions each season. The repertoire is made up of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theater Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reached nearly 30,000 young people and underserved community members last season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions at its home on Race Street. Last season, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the classics!
About the 2014-2015 Season:
This season is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company receives operating support from The Ohio Arts Council, the Shubert Foundation and is supported, in part, by the generosity of thousands of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of “Henry V” is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The season design sponsor is Mark & Sue Ann Painter. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Production dates and information on the season are available online at www.cincyshakes.com.
Filed under Auditions
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 