AUDITIONS & SHOWS! 27-SEP-13

Cas'n'Ova Productions presents the NZ premier of Manic to Madness

You may remember a call for a director back in January for Manic to Madness, a semi-autobiographical play, set in Hilmorton hospital.  Well, that show is now on the road!  The writers found their director, production crew and cast and the show is set to hit the stage from the 3rd of October.  Described as a "window into the unwell mind", Manic to Madness follows Nero, a "colourful" ex-salesman who is affected by bipolar disorder.  The show promises to take you on a journey that sees you laugh, cry and feel all that’s in-between.

 

Performances are 7.30 pm, 3-5 October, and 8-12 October, tickets are $25.  Tickets are available from the Cas'n'Ova Productions' booking page. Venue is The Theatre at Rangiruru Girls school on Merivale Lane.  Written by Karl Hitchcock and Nic Farra, directed by Craig Hutchison.  For further information, see the Cas'n'Ova website.

 

NCMS Chicago Auditions

The North Canterbury Musical Society has announced auditions for their upcoming summer musical, Chicago.  Auditions will be held in the NCMS clubrooms in Rangiora on October 5th and 13th.  Chicago will be directed by Ravil Atlas with Leanne O'Mahony as MD and Annette Searle as choreographer; show dates are 1-17 May 2014.
Musoc had a great success with this show in 2012, with a sell-out season, proving that 38 years after its original debut in 1975, this hit musical about a couple of gin-swilling, jazz-dancing murderesses can still capture the imagination of a modern audience.  This is a brilliant show to be involved in and if you're keen to audition, email auditions@ncms.org.nz to book a time and get your audition pack.  I'd recommend getting in ASAP - although there's no specific information available online, the NCMS often have a requested song list for auditions and there's no harm in allowing yourself extra time to prepare if you need to learn something new.  You can find out more from the official Facebook event.

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I'm back!

I'm back and ready to start blogging again!

Life was getting in the way so I hadn't posted anything since May(!) yet when I checked my stats, I saw that this place has been averaging 50 hits a day. I'm so happy and proud - this is just little ol' me writing from my house, after all!  I think what this has shown me is that the original idea I had for the site - a wee hub where all of the audition and show information could be pooled together into one community was not only needed but is also greatly appreciated.  I want to take this chance to say a big thank you to everyone who reads, shares and helps keep me up to date! 
I was keen to get back into writing as it was but now I'm seriously amped. The theatre scene has grown and grown since I started this blog, and of course since we've rebuilt our network and community since the Earthquakes and there are so may exciting events and opportunities coming up in the near future.
I'm hearing lots of murmurs about upcoming shows with rehearsals well under way; and then there's the summer musical season, which sounds far away, but in theatre terms of course is just around the corner!

If you have a show or audition notice or if you're looking for personnel for your production let me know via email - aimeerhiannon@gmail.com - so I can share the news.

Hiatus

Hi everyone

This site is on a temporary hiatus for the time being, but we should be back up and running within a month's time.  In the meantime, keep up to date with the latest theatre goings-on by checking in with the official websites of some of our community theatre groups:

Canterbury Children's Theatre
Elmwood Players
Harlequin Players
Musoc
North Canterbury Musical Theatre Society
Rangiora Players
Riccarton Players

UPCOMING SHOWS IN AUTUMN

There is some really brilliant theatre coming to Christchurch this season, and tickets for these shows are selling fast: Rangiora Players' upcoming production of April Phillips' comedy Stiff already has less than 100 seats remaining with a full month to go to until opening night so get in quick!
For more information about the shows below, check out the links provided.


Dramasoc presents a 1930s adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan

Whilst preparing for her 18th birthday celebrations, Lady Windermere discovers that her husband of one year may be having an affair with a much older woman whom she has never met. Over the course of 24 hours Lady Windermere learns that not everything is as it seems.

Shows are Wed 13th - Sat 16th and Wed 20th - Sat 23rd March in the Jack Mann Auditorium on the Univeristy of Canterbury's Dovedale campus.  All shows start at 7.30, tickets are $15/$12.  Tickets are available from the on-campus ticket booth on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and can otherwise be purchased through the Court Theatre or via Dash Tickets (booking fees may apply).  Adapted and directed by Michael Jamieson.  For more information contact producer@dramasoc.org.nz or see the event page on Facebook.



Rangiora Players' Production of Stiff

Angel Delight is the illegitimate daughter of a funeral director, and inherits the undertaker's premises when he dies. Before she can sell the business and the land, she is required to keep the funeral parlour open for a further five years.

Unfortunately, she knows absolutely nothing about the funeral business... but rather a lot about prostitution.

Shows are Wed 10th - Sat 13th and Wed 17 - Sat 20th April in The Rangiora Players Little Theatre at Northbrook studios.  Performance starts at 7.30pm.
Tickets $20 for all and can be ordered online through the Rangiora Player's bookings page or from the Kaiapoi ISite Visitor Centre.  Directed by Dimitri Gibara.  For more information about the show, see the Player's site or contact Julie on 03 313 3721.



Elmwood Players presents Cosi

Lewis is a young, inexperienced university student, hired by a psychiatric institute to direct a play as part of the hospital's therapeutic program. The venue is a theatre that smells of "burnt wood and mould", the cast are patients with very diverse needs and the play is Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte. Roy, a patient, demands the Mozart work, but his fellow inmates are neither opera singers nor Italian speakers and Lewis' problems don't end there

Shows are Wed 24th - Sat 27th April and Wed 1st - Sat 4th May in the Elmwood Auditorium.  Performance starts at 7.30pm.
Tickets $20/$15 and can be booked online through the Elmwood Players booking form, or by calling 03 355 8874.  Directed by Garry Thomas.  For more information about the show, see the Elmwood Player's website.


Showbiz brings Broadway to Christchurch with Avenue Q

AVENUE Q is a colourful musical journey where both puppets and people tell the story of Princeton, a new college Grad who is anxious to discover his purpose in life...The musical is 'Sesame Street’ meets ‘South Park’ for grownups.

Shows are Wed 24th - Sat 27th April and Tues 30th April - Sat 4th May at the Aurora Centre at Burnside High School.  Performances start at 7.30pm with a 2pm matinee on 27th April and an early-start 6pm show on Thursday 25th.

Tickets are from $30 and can be ordered online through the Showbiz website.  Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.
This show is R13 and contains sexual content that may offend some people, parental guidance is highly recommended.  For more information see Showbiz.org.nz.

AUDITIONS 21-FEB-12

Auditions: Cas'n'Ova Productions - Motel

Next month, Cas'n'Ova Productions are holding auditions for the premier performance of April Phillips' drama Motel.  Auditions are Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 March from 5.30-8.00pm

Roles Available:
JENNY: Smart business woman (early 30s)

BEN: An attractive young male (early 20s)
HARRY: A salt of the earth working class man (late 60s)
PEARL: A meek warm-hearted woman (late 60s)
ELVIS: An affable genuine chap (late 30s/early 40s)
ANNABEL: A confident, outspoken, slightly abrasive business woman (30s)
JANET: A wealthy, well spoken and presented woman (50s)



The play premieres in June of this year on the Open Stage at Hagley.  Applicants need to provide a profile photo or head-shot and contact details including a phone number.  To book an audition time or to find out more about the play, contact Cas'n'Ova here through their website.

AUDITIONS 15-FEB-12

Plenty of auditions coming up in the next couple of weeks for those that want to get really stuck into a good acting role, plus school holiday show season is almost upon us (already!).

Auditions: Riccarton Players' Murder by Membership Only

On the 17th February (this coming Sunday), the Riccarton Players are holding auditions for their Autumn season of Murder by Membership Only. Written by Thomas Hischak, the play takes place in the Orczy Club, an exclusive sanctum for women mystery writers in London.  A humorous, suspenseful, and sometimes frightening "Whodunnit" play with a strong cast and many excellent roles for women.

"How would it look if a roomful of mystery writers had to go to the police to solve a murder that took place under their very noses?"

Roles available:
HESTER TANDY: writer; intelligent, frank, likeable (30-50)
LYDIA BEATON: secretary; cold, efficient, nervous 
MRS PLIMPTON: club member; quiet, aloof, dominating speaker (30-50)
MADAME LECOQ: club proprietor; French, motherly, warm (50s-60s)
CLARICE FERGUSSON: club member; harsh, impatient, not liked (40-50)
MRS BALSER: the cook; quiet, but complaining (40-50)
EVE HAWKINS: writer; American, fresh, vibrant, talkative (20s-40s)
OCTAVIA STURGES: famous writer/celebrity; loud, demanding, snobbish (50s-60s)
MAY COBBS: journalist; awkward, uncomfortable (20s)

Auditions will be taking place in the Upper Riccarton Library, for a complete script or audition time - or with any query - please contact the director at christina_stachurski@hotmail.com or phone 960 9624 evenings.  To find out more about the show and the club, see the Riccarton Players' website.


Reminder: Auditions for Elmwood Players' Cosi

As previously announced, Elmwood Players are holding auditions next weekend for Cosi, a semi-autobiographical drama by Louis Nowra set in a mental institution.

Roles Available
LEWIS: 21, just left university, a first time director.
LUCY: Early 20’s, doing an MA thesis and lives with Lewis
NICK: Early 20’s, also doing a thesis and directs student productions.
JUSTIN: A social worker in his late 30’s/early 40’s; neat and precise
ROY: 40 – 50, a mental patient who has spent much of his life in institutions
HENRY: 40 – 50, a former lawyer who is now a patient; like Roy he has spent much of his adult life in institutions.
DOUG: 20 – 30, has a liking for fires; has not been in institutions for very long
CHERRY: 25 – 35, has also been in institutions for some time.
JULIE: Early 20’s, is in a mental institution for the first time due to a drug dependency.
RUTH: 30 – 40, an obsessive personality, who is in and out of mental institutions.
ZAC: 25 – 30, the musician of the group who has also been in and out of mental institutions
Note:

Justin, Nick and Zac can be played by the same person if desired, likewise Lucy and Julie.

For more information about the play and roles available, or to book an audition time, see the Elmwood Players' website or contact Gaz on 021 453 138.


Auditions: Canterbury Children's Theatre

On 9 March, Cantebury Children's Theatre is holding auditions for their upcoming April school holiday production of Slow Runnings: A Tortoise and Hare Story.  

Since winning The Big Race, Hare has been enjoying the fame and fortune that come with being the Fastest Animal Around: TV interviews, fancy parties, and lucrative sponsorship deals. But what happens when Tortoise, a total newcomer to the sport, challenges her to a race?

Roles Available:

HARE: Having trained furiously as a leveret, it's now been years since Hare's had to work for anything. Vain and self-absorbed, Hare is the apotheosis of sports celebrity.

TORTOISE: Humble and deliberate, Tortoise is nonetheless incensed that Hare should get the prestige of a title like Fastest Animal Around without racing all the other animals.
PIG: Hare's former trainer and now proprietor of Pig's Sports Shoes, Pig is a champion of the underdog.
FOX: A cameo role as a sportscaster. Could be entirely prerecorded audio.
CROW: Another sportscaster. Could be entirely prerecorded audio.
They are also looking for three non-speaking crew roles - although there are no lines or specific characters these roles are on-stage and are vital to bringing the world of the play to life.

To book an audition time or to find out more about how to get involved, email Matt Powell at fauxparse@gmail.com

X Factor NZ: Pre-audition Rundown

The audition process for NZ's 2013 version of The X Factor sounds more complex than merely turning up and belting out a tune - although at the end of the day, as with all auditions, that was the crux of it.  Before the big day I filled out an astonishingly lengthy registration form. The form was all up around nine pages and asked questions from the simple "Name:" to the more leading "What is something no one knows about you?".  I was asked to prepare up to four songs to sing, and it was recommended I "dress to impress".  While I had no expectations about how it would all run, I was prepared for a big day.

Manic to Madness - Seeking Director

Karl Hitchcock and Nic Farra have recently been working together to write a play best described as a "window into the unwell mind".  The play, Manic to Madness, is a semi-autobiographical comedy set in Hilmorton Hospital and told from the perspective of a patient with bipolar disorder. The story weaves in and out of time, from the present day to Nero's recent past and right back to a time of Knight's and noble women as Nero describes his periods of mania.

Karl and Nic are currently looking for someone to direct the play.  If you're interested in directing (or otherwise getting involved) and would like to have a read of the play, please contact Karl at christl@slingshot.co.nz

Welcome Back to 2013!

Welcome back to Christchurch Theatre for 2013, let's look forward to another fantastic year for theatre in Christchurch - already there are plenty of shows and opportunities coming up...

Upcoming Auditions: Elmwood Players' Cosi

On the 23 and 24 February, Elmwood Players are holding auditions for their upcoming drama Cosi. Cosi is Lousie Nowra' semi-autobiographical play set in a Melbourne mental institution in 1971:

 The venue is a theatre that smells of "burnt wood and mould", the cast are patients with very diverse needs, and the play is Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”. Through working with the patients, [director] Lewis eventually discovers a new side of himself which allows him to become emotionally involved and to value love, while anti-Vietnam war protests erupt in the streets outside.

The play will be directed by Garry Thomas and will be on stage in April of this year.  For more information about the play and roles available, or to book an audition time, see the Elmwood Players' website or contact Gaz on 021 453 138.


Upcoming Show: The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon

A fun, action-filled fairy tale for the whole family, Eleanor and Ray Harder's story of kings, princesses, knights and dragons comes to the stage this summer just in time to stave off the post-Christmas blues.

“This is a wonderful tale suitable for the whole family, and ideal holiday entertainment”, say the directors. "With a talented and creative cast plus live music, singing and dancing, this is bound to be a fun time for all involved’"

Performances are Thurs - Sun from 17 - 27 January: 6.30 pm Thurs/Fri and 11.00/2.00 Sat/Sun at Elmwood Auditorium.  .
Tickets $7 for all. Tickets can be booked online via the Elmwood Players' website or by calling (03) 355 8874. 
Directed by Susan Cameron and Garry Thomas.