KINGSTON, R.I. — August 22, 2006 — The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department announces its upcoming audition dates for two plays that will be performed this fall: Fat Pig and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The auditions are open to the public. To sign up for an audition, call the URI Theatre Department at 874-5921 or sign up outside the Theatre Office on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center. Here are the scenarios and requirements:
Fat Pig, by Neil LaBute is a powerful play about body image and prejudice that will be performed Oct. 12 through 15 and Oct. 19 through 22. Sometimes shockingly blunt and cruel. Cow. Slob. Pig. How many insults can Tom hear before he has to stand up and defend the woman he loves? Tom has fallen for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be generously proportioned and he is forced to explain his own preconceptions of the importance of conventional good looks. The sharply drawn play, which will be directed by Bryna Wortman, not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.
Audition Dates: Tues., Sept. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Wed., Sept. 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center
Callback Dates: Wed., Sept. 6, 8:30 to 11 p.m. and Thurs., Sept. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center
Rehearsals begin: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 to 11 p.m.
Needed: Two women and two men in their late 20s or early 30s.
Prepare: Choose a contemporary monologue, one-to-two minutes in length to which you feel strongly connected. Tell a story, express a feeling (s), analyze a situation. Whatever you choose, commit yourself strongly, honestly and fully and vary your actions/tactics. No foul language.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, from a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall, tells the true story of the high-profile closing down of a 130-year-old brothel outside the small town of LaGrange, Texas in 1973. The musical, directed by Paula McGlasson with musical direction by Lila Kane, will be performed Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 and Dec. 7 to 10.
Whorehouse isn’t really about sex anymore than Fiddler on the Roof is about violins. At its most basic, Whorehouse is about how putting life on TV changes it, how it changes people, how the TV camera impacts that which it records. Whorehouse is about how lives are ruined by “reality TV” and about how TV can be used to destroy. It’s about people in glass houses throwing lots of stones, about one group of people imposing their version of morality on others, and about America’s preoccupation with sex.
Audition Dates: Sat., Sept. 16, 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17, 2 to 5 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center
Callback Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6 to 11 p.m., G Studio, Fine Arts Center
Rehearsals begin: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7 to 11 p.m.
Needed: 14 women and 14 men (several roles are non-singing/dancing)
Prepare: Memorize a one-to-two minute contemporary monologue with comedic overtones, not too introspective, but rather broad in nature. Memorize one song from the musical theatre field and bring the sheet music. A pianist will be provided. Bring character shoes or heeled shoes or boots for a brief preliminary dance audition. Additional singing, dancing, and acting will be required of all at callbacks.