College-Community Musical is Back! Auditions set April 18, 21
CHICKASHA – The summer community musical is back and looking for actors! This summer, the Chickasha Community Theatre joins forces with the drama department at the University of Science and Arts to bring “Honk! Junior” to the stage. Auditions are scheduled in April for the public.
“Honk! Junior” is a fun, family-friendly musical version of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Ugly Duckling.” Katie Davis, assistant professor of drama, is set to direct the collaborative production, which premiers July 12-15.
“It's fun to plan a production where we can all play together,” said Davis. “During the fall and spring trimesters, the drama department’s season schedule serves the educational mission of the drama program at USAO. The summer production, while still a learning environment, has a broader mission of celebrating and sharing our love of live theatre with our friends and neighbors in the Chickasha region.”
Davis said the musical is designed not only for professionals, but for those with little or no experience as well.
“This joint project is for everyone,” she said, “and there is always new, untapped talent out there.”
The first audition is scheduled for April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Davis Hall Little Theatre on the USAO campus. A second audition begins April 21 at 2 p.m. in the same location. Applicants do not need to attend both auditions; callbacks will be announced after the final audition.
Acting parts are available for all ages, including children. Although casting preference will be given to children aged seven and older, younger children are encouraged to audition.
“It’s a good experience,” Davis said, “and sometimes a great audition will change my mind about age limits! Families are especially encouraged to audition together. Younger children often get ‘extras’ parts by performing with parents or siblings.”
During the audition, potential cast members will be asked to sing; however, it is not necessary to prepare a song. Some parts require little or no singing at all. Those who choose to prepare an audition song will need to provide their own accompaniment tape or CD. No monologue preparation is required.
“Auditions will also include some cold reading and improvisation, so just come prepared to spend 30-40 minutes having fun,” Davis said.
With a performance set for July 12-15, cast members will rehearse in the evenings, starting in late May and continuing through June and July. Mandatory rehearsals will be held every day from July 5-11.
A rehearsal schedule will be developed, based on cast member availability, but will generally take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday rehearsals from 1-3:30 p.m. Not all cast members are needed at every rehearsal, but rehearsals after July 4 are vital for the entire cast and crew.
“I’m so grateful to all of those who have supported the revival of this joint production,” Davis said. “Christy Clift and the board of CCT have been wonderful. I'm also lucky to have the support of the USAO administration, faculty and students, especially those who have supported joint productions in the past!”
More information is available from Katie Davis at (405) 574-1310.