URI Theatre sets auditions dates in September

KINGSTON, R.I–August 19, 2009—The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department announces its audition schedule for two plays, Boy Gets Girl and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The auditions are open to the public. To sign up call URI Theatre at 401.874.5921 or visit the theater office on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston.


Here are the scenarios and requirements:


Boy Gets Girl by Rebecca Gilman


A disturbing contemporary chiller, the play revolves around a woman whose life of accomplishment is quickly destroyed by a disturbed admirer. “The play works powerfully at its most basic level, as a suspenseful tale about the unraveling of a strong woman’s sense of security in the urban jungle,” says Jimmy Calitri who will direct the play.


“Rebecca Gilman is a playwright to hail. Boy Gets Girl is gripping, important, and the finest, most disturbing American play in years!”—TIME

Cast Size: Four men, three women


Requirements: Actors should prepare and memorize a one-minute contemporary dramatic monologue and read the entire play prior to auditioning. Copies of the script are available in the URI Theatre Office or from Dramatic Publishing at www.dramaticpublishing.com.

Audition Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 to 10 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center. Callback, Sept. 10.

Performances: Thursdays through Saturdays, Oct. 15 to 17 and Oct. 22 through 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 at 3 p.m.


The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee


Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Six adolescents in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. The show’s Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

Cast size: Five men, four women. Due to the relatively small cast size for a musical, URI Theatre will attempt to cast understudies for each role if possible. These understudies will perform at least three times during the scheduled run.)


Director: Paula McGlasson, Musical Director: Lila Kane, Choreographer: Dante Sciarra


Requirements: Actors should prepare and memorize a one-minute contemporary comedic monologue and a song from the canon of musical theatre, not a selection from the show. An accompanist will be provided. Improvisation and movement will be included at callbacks. Actors should read the musical and familiarize themselves with the characters and the songs. Copies of the script are available in the URI Theatre Office or from Musical Theatre International at www.MTIshows.com.


Audition Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 to 10 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center. Callback, Sept. 10.

Performances: Thursdays through Saturdays, Dec. 3 to 5 and 10 to 12 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6 & Dec. 13 at 3 p.m.