MEDIA RELEASE
Aloha Performing Arts Company will hold open auditions for volunteer actor/readers for its 18th annual Original Play Festival on Wednesday and Thursday July 6th and 7th at 6:30 p.m. at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Five directors will be casting over 40 roles in the five plays chosen for the festival, and first time actors are heartily encouraged to audition. OPF XVIII performance week is scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday, August 24th through 27th, and each play of the festival will have only six rehearsals, generally on the same night of the week as the performance. Rehearsals will begin July 13. It is an APAC tradition that OPF serves as a proving ground for new theatre participants. The festival features scripts presented in staged reading format, so line memorization is not required.
Wednesday will feature a double bill. The first play is “The Heroine,” by Mark D. Tjarks of Kauai, directed by David A. Payne. The plot features a playwright who has trouble creating a three dimensional female character to complement his hero. There are four roles: a male playwright, a female playwright, a male action character, and a female action character. Also on the opening night bill is “The Clinic,” by Ruby Cat Moon of Kamuela, directed by Karen Barry. The show, which takes place in a Big Island doctor’s office, requires 13 actors. Major characters are: Dr. Rotten, male, 50’s; Dr. Gem, female, 30’s; Mandy, female, 20’s; Gracie, female, 50’s; Agatha, female, 50’s; Gretchen, female, 50’s; and Prissy, female, 30’s. Also needed are a 5 year old boy, a man and woman in their 20’s, a man in his 40’s, a woman in her 60’s, and a man in his 70’s, who will play various patients.
Thursday’s show is “Just Desserts,” by Cynthia Sweeney of Kapa’au, directed by Kimberly Huff. A darling chef of the Food Network buys a restaurant in Hawaii but his obnoxious attitude irritates the staff members, who become suspects when the chef is murdered. Characters include: Carmen, waitress, 30’s; Eduardo, busboy, 50’s; Kenny, sous chef, 20’s or 30’s; Ginger, sexy career waitress, 50’s; Ashley, inexperienced young waitress; Martin, restaurant manager, 40’s; Chef Arugula, eccentric and demanding, 60’s; Robert, career bartender, 40’s; Winston, detective, 60’s; Ruiz, Latino assistant detective, 40’s; and a few extras who play diners.
On Friday, the offering will be “The Summer of Our Discontent” by Robert O. Davis of Delaware, directed by Felicity Johnson. The plot revolves around a self-centered actress, her ex husband, her daughter, and an aging British rock star. Roles are: Mary Thomas Warren, late 50’s; Sally May Thomas, mid 30’s; Mike Thomas, 60; Ray McNulty, 60 year old rocker; Andre, 60 year old cook; and Robert Potter, 30ish FBI agent.
Closing night of the festival, Saturday, will feature “The House,” by OPF’s most prolific playwright, Anthony M. Oliver of Kailua, Oahu. Paula Cornwell will direct this poignant romantic drama, which moves back and forth between 1941 and the present. Characters are: Melissa, hapa female, 24; Young Fumiko, Japanese 17 year old; Ted, Caucasian male, 25; Young James, Caucasian male, 18; Grandma Fumiko, Japanese, 82; and Helen, Caucasian female, 16.
All scripts are available for perusal by arrangement with the APAC office, or online at AlohaTheatre.com. Those auditioning are asked to arrive on time and be prepared to stay at least 90 minutes. Attendance on both nights is ideal, but not required. Auditions will consist of readings from the scripts in turns. No experience is necessary, and newcomers are welcome. Time commitment for each staged reading will consist of six rehearsals plus the performance, with no memorization required. Crew positions are also available. OPF is a unique opportunity for aspiring technicians and stage crew as well as actors. For more information, call 322-9924.
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