MEDIA RELEASE

Auditions for ‘To Kill a Mockingbird” are planned 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.

One of the greatest novels of the 20th Century, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “To Kill A Mockingbird,” will be presented in play form May 8-23 on the Aloha Theatre stage by Aloha Performing Arts Company.

Adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel and directed by Jerry Tracy, “To Kill A Mockingbird” is an artful and compassionate story of innocence, courage and what it means to be a family.

Set in the Great Depression in Maycomb, Ala. in the 1930s, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the coming of age story of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the daughter of Atticus, a lawyer who, despite threats to himself and his family, defends a black man accused of assaulting a white woman. 

The play is true to the novel, delivering a powerful message about prejudice, injustice, and humanity.

Auditons will be held to cast adults between the ages of 25-65 in a variety of roles. Three of the roles are for African American actors: Calpurnia, the family housekeeper; Reverend Sykes, a minister; and Tom Robinson, the young man wrongly accused of assault. 

Other roles available include Atticus, about 50 years old and the hero of the story; Boo Radley, a recluse neighbor; Mrs. Dubose, a bitter old dying woman; and Mayella, a 19 year-old, lonely, poor, overworked white girl, afraid to tell the truth. 

Children’s roles are Scout, (girl ages 9 – 11) a tomboy, spunky and head strong; Jem, (boy 12-14) Scout’s older brother and protector, a young man on the brink of manhood; and Dill, (boy age 9 – 11) Jem’s friend, imaginative with a sense of adventure. In all, at least 15 actors are sought. No exprience is required and newcomers are welcome to audition.

Rehearsals will begin March 30 and will be held Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, approximately three hours per session. Not all actors will be required at every rehearsal; the specific time committment depends on the role.

Performers must commit to the rehearsal schedule and performance schedule. Those under 18 may audition only with consent from a parent or guardian. Consent forms as well as audition forms are available at www.apachawaii.org.

Audition registration will begin at 6 p.m. each night, and those auditioning should be prepared to share a 1 to 2 minute story or monologue in a Southern accent. The rest of the audition will consist of readings from the script. A limited number of scripts are available for onsite perusal 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

For more information, call the APAC office at 322-9924.