Theatre looking for guys and dolls
LFT to hold auditions for community show
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Guys and dolls are wanted at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre.
Auditions for the theatre’s annual community show will be held in early November. This year’s production will be of the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls.
Director Derek Ritschel is looking for 25 locals to come together to put on a show that will transport the audience to the Big Apple. He said he hopes to have about 20 per cent of the cast be people that have never performed on stage before.
“I always find that it starts off with trepidation and a little bit of fear, and by the end of the performances it’s life-changing, exciting, exhilarating, and they’re proud of themselves,” said Ritschel.
People auditioning are reminded that they do not need to be a professional singer to try out, even though it is a musical. They will have three months of practice, working closely with a music director to become more comfortable with the material in the show.
“Some people who audition tell me they can’t sing, and then by show time they’re up there singing and dancing,” said Ritschel. “If you can talk, you can sing.”
Ritschel said that the community show is less about the musical and more about the locals coming together to create something as a team, and doing something that they have never done before.
“I’m just looking for their personalities,” said Ritschel. “I’m not necessarily looking for a monologue or anything like that. They can sing a few bars of something, or bring in a guitar and sing. Normally you would prepare a monologue, sing a song, and learn a few dance steps for a musical audition. I’m not so much interested in that, I want to get to know the person.”
No previous stage experience is required. Anyone from Norfolk County and the surrounding area that is 16 years and older is welcome to audition.
Audition times are available on Nov. 6 and 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Anyone interested can call the Lighthouse box office at 519-583-2221 to book a time.
Rehearsals begin in January, with a commitment of three hours, three days a week until April. Rehearsals will be Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Monday 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., and Wednesday 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.
astaylor@postmedia.com
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