Bard to Broadway has already announced its lineup of live theatre productions for its 17th season on the mid-Island.
Now, it needs a few good actors.
Open auditions for each of B2B’s three performances this year will be held this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1-5 p.m. at the Shelly Road Centre, 186 Shelly Road in Parksville.
“It’s wide open to anybody and everybody,” said Eileen Butts, audition organizer. “It doesn’t matter if you have lots of experience or no experience at all, if you’re up for the opportunity.”
Final auditions will be held the following weekend, with one session Jan. 30 in Nanaimo and another at Shelly Road Centre Sunday, Jan. 31 from 1-5 p.m.
“We’re just hoping we get the right people,” said Laurel Johannson, B2B president. “It’s been difficult the last few years getting enough men coming to auditions. We’re hoping those able-bodied men step up to the plate.”
Roles are available for men and women ages 17 and over. The three plays are the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; the Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike; and the fast-paced farce The Ladies Man.
“The shows offer roles for a wide variety of characters and ages,” said Butts. “If someone is interested in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, it will help if you can sing. The other two are comedies; they’re very funny.”
Each prospective actor is asked to prepare a one- to two-minute monologue. If auditioning for the musical, please prepare a song and provide either sheet music for the accompanist or a backing track on CD or iPod.
Those planning to audition should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to stay for about two hours.
The musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown has six roles — four men, two women — for actors 17 to 35 years old.
Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike has roles for two males and four females, three in their 50s, two for younger performers in their 20s and one female of any age.
The Ladies Man boasts a larger cast of eight, with four roles for males ranging from 35 to 60-plus and four roles for women, ranging from 20 to 60+.
“Nobody should be intimidated by an audition,” Butts said. “Come and be prepared to have fun and enjoy it for the experience it is.”
Rehearsals for each of the shows will begin in April, with the run of the plays beginning in July.
Anyone interested in auditioning but who cannot attend the scheduled sessions should contact Eileen Butts at 250-248-3782 or ebutts@shaw.ca.
Additional info, including a full list of roles for each performance, is available on the Bard to Broadway website at b2btheatre.com.