Stuff Happens
Stuff Happens is a history play by British playwright David Hare about the lead-up to the Iraq war. The play chronicles actual events leading up to the war and broadly hints that the Bush administration intended to invade prior to the Sept. 11 attacks. The events depict tangled American and English diplomatic manueuvers. The characters include President Bush, Tony Blair, Condoleeza Rice, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Laura Bush, and of course Donald Rumsfield, author of the famous line “stuff happens,” when asked for comment about the looting in Iraq following the fall of Bagdad during the intial invasion. There are others: journalists, Iraqis, diplomats, government officials. This is a play, not a documentary.
Director: Christian Wittwer
Performance Dates: Oct. 11 to 14 & Oct. 18 to 21.
Audition Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 6 to 10 p.m and
Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
J Studio, Fine Arts Center
Call back Dates: Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 8:30 to 11 p.m., and Thursday,
Sept. 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. in J Studio, Fine Arts Center
Rehearsals begin: Friday, Sept. 7, 7 to 11 p.m., J Studio
Needed: Men and women to form a performance ensemble. In all, some 45 roles will be shared by the ensemble. Many of these will be doubled and some roles will be cast “gender/race blind.” Actors are sought for eight or nine principal roles and additional actors for strong supporting work. Singing and dancing will be part of the presentation.
Prepare: Prepare a 1 or 2-minute contemporary monologue. Please tell a strong story, express feeling convincingly, deliver “the truth” of what the monologue/character is saying.
Little Women
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of her own family experiences, Little Women follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. This wonderful narrative by Allan Knee has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical by Jason Howland with lyrics by Mindi Dickstein filled with glorious music, dancing and heart. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope—the sounds of a young America finding its voice. Six generations have read this story. This one will sing it.
Director: Paula McGlasson, musical direction by Lila Kane and choreography by Angelica Vessella.
Performance Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 6 to 9
Audition Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. & Thursday, Sept. 6, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
G Studio, Fine Arts Center
Call back Dates: Saturday, Sept. 8, 1 to 6 p.m., G Studio
Rehearsals: Limited rehearsals week of Oct. 15, full rehearsals, week of Oct. 22.
Needed: When Little Women was produced on Broadway, it featured a cast of 6 women and men who played 18 individual roles. However, depending on abilities, URI’s cast will probably be in the range of 10 to 18 actors.
Prepare: Prepare and memorize a 1 to 2-minute contemporary monologue that reveals passion and conviction of character. URI will be presenting a period play written by a contemporary author so try to match the language and feel of the script. Prepare and memorize one song from the musical theater field and bring the sheet music. A pianist will be provided. Music for Little Women requires legitimate voices for most roles. Please see the call board in late August for information on ranges and styles. With so few roles, auditions will be unusually competitive this year. Read the novel, read the script, listen to the music and make certain that your audition conveys your suitability and dedication to a role.
Call URI Theatre at 401-874-5921 to sign up for an audition or sign up outside the Theatre Office on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center, Kingston.