Auditions 13-SEPT-12

There's so much going on at the moment, I'll be posting twice today (there's a brilliant season of theatre ahead of us!)

Auditions: Musoc's Show Choir"If you want to see yourself under the spotlight, join a fun, social group and get to learn sweet songs under expert musical direction, this is a golden opportunity."
Musoc is seeking male voices to complete their show choir. Auditions will be held all day on the 23rd September on campus. Auditionees will be required to perform a song of their own choosing and may have their musical ability assessed with some simple sight-reading exercises.

Email Sam at events@musoc.org.nz now to book an audition time & find out more or see the event of Facebook.

Auditions: Rangiora Players' summer youth production
Rangiora Players are holding auditions next weekend for a gothic, supernatural pantomime: Pantostein.

Auditions are open for 12-17 year olds and will be held on the 22nd September in Rangiora.
Roles required include:
OPHELIA
DR FRANK N STEIN
DAME BLOODENGUTZ
IGOR
BORIS VAN RENTAL
BERTHA TIDFYL
DRACULA
THE BRIDE OF DRACULA
THE WEREWOLF
THE MONSTER
CHORUS (zombies/villagers)

More information about the characters, the play and the audition process is available on the Rangiora Players website. To book an audition time call David on (03) 312 1660. 

AUDITIONS 11-SEPT-12

Auditions: Dramasoc's 3Some
Dramasoc is holding auditions for their annual short play event 3Some TONIGHT (apologies for the late notice, the announcement was only made Sunday night!).  Email canterburydramasoc@gmail.com to book at time and see the event on Facebook to find out more about the plays being performed.

Auditions: Harlequin Players's summer musical 
Harlequin Players are holding auditions next weekend for their summer production of the Roger Hall musical The Adventures of Robin Hood. 
Auditions will be held on 22 Sept at St. Aidan's Hall, Aorangi Rd from 1-6pm and 23 Sept at Abberley Park Hall, Abberley Cresc from 10-3.30pm.
Roles required include ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARION, SHERIFF, BESS, SIR GUY, ALAN-A-DALE, LITTLE JOHN and HARRIET.  They are also looking for actors to play Robin Hood's 10 Merry Men, Barons and Partners, 10 experienced dancers and 6 young actors to play little rabbits.  Actors of all ages and experience-levels are encouraged to audition.
To book an audition time call 331-6162 or 386-0526 or email lloyd-smith@xtra.co.nz
Production dates are 13-20 January 2012 in St Albans
The club will also be looking for people to help with backstage roles, wardrobe assistants and costume designers, and a front of house team.

Musoc presents CHICAGO

Musoc is proud to present their 2012 spring season of CHICAGO

Set in Prohibition-era Chicago with a sumptuous jazz score and exhilarating dance numbers, Chicago... is the titillating story of sultry jailbirds Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart who let nothing short of murder get between them and their lust for the lime light.

These foxy ladies are joined by the smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn, the sensitive 'Mr Cellophane' Amos Hart, and Matron Mama Morton with her chorus of merry murderesses to provide you with a devious and delightful show. Chicago tells the story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery - all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.

Performances are Wed-Sat, September 5-14th.  Shows start at 7.30pm Wed,Thur,Sat at the Jack Mann Auditorium. Friday nights are R18, with shows starting at 9.30 and a bar onsite. Tickets are $12/$15 with a discount for group and school bookings. To find out more, see the Musoc Chicago website.  Tickets are available through Dash Tickets and on campus from 11am to 2pm (cash only).

Theatre Goings-On 24-AUG-12

There are quite a few theatrical happenings coming up in the next few weeks, from the spectacular to gritty drama...

Tonight and tomorrow, A Little Box At The Top Of The Stairs Productions presents adult drama "Extremities" by William Mastrosimone, directed by Garry Thomas.  Performances in the Elmwood Auditorium, show starts at 7.30.
Tickets are $18/$14: call 021 453138 to book.  Have a look-see at their group on Facebook to learn about this new theatre company.

Also this weekend, Musoc presents an 80s showcase of song and dance, in the UC Undercroft. Tickets are just $5 on the door, no need to book, and it'd be a fun and uplifting start to a night out, so bring your friends!

Dramasoc would like to remind the writers of Christchurch that there are only a few days to go to submit entries for this year's 3some, for more information or to register your interest, email canterburydramasoc@gmail.com

And that's all from the theatre world for now - although a lot of companies are now getting geared up for their summer musicals and holiday shows so there's plenty of excitement to be had in the very near future!
If you have a play you'd like to let the world know about, or would like to request a review or critique of your show, just send me an email: aimeerhiannon@gmail.com

Theatre Fundraiser & Musoc Showcase

Next week, a fundraiser show for the Isaac Theatre Royal is being held in Christchurch!

The Bitches’ Box is a fast paced comedy show: Amelia Guild and Emma Newborn throw the spotlight on man’s best friend and take the audience on a whistle-stop tour of the four legged characters you may encounter down in the yards. “We asked the question, what would two dogs talk about if they were holed up in the bitches’ box for 20 days?” The answer has resulted in a unique, side-splitting look inside the inner workings of a dogs mind.

The Bitches' Box will be a one-off performance on the 25th August in the Christ's College Old Boys Theatre, with proceeds going to the restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal.
Performance starts at 8pm, all tickets $33 - for more information and to book tickets see the Event Finder site.


And this month, Musoc presents a premier performance from its new performance group in an 80s Showcase...

"...Don your leg warmers and tease up that perm, and let 18 of UC's best singers perform all your 80s favourites - including hits from Dave Dobbyn, Blondie, Belinda Carlisle, Madonna, Toto and more!"

Performances are Fri 24th and Sat 25th August.  Shows start at 7.30pm in the Undercroft at the University of Canterbury.  Tickets are $5 on the door, audiences are advised to arrive early to ensure they secure a seat.  Musical direction by Sam Creed and Cameron Stewart.

Call for Writers for Dramasoc's 3Some

The University of Canterbury's Dramasoc is in the process of planning their annual 3Some event for September this year: 3 plays, 3 nights, $3 at the door.  They are calling on playwrights of all ages and experience levels who want their short plays performed.  The plays must be between around 15 and 30 minutes in length and any topic goes.  Submissions are due 30th August, email canterburydramasoc@gmail.com to find out more.  Calls for actors, directors and crew will be made later this month!

Call For Production Team for CHICAGO

UC's Musoc has announced Chicago will be their major production for Spring 2012.  They are currently looking to put a production team together.  The show is to be directed by Michael Jamieson and will hit the stage this September.
The roles required are as follows:
Assistant Director
Producer
Musical Director
Choreographer
Publicist/Marketing

If you're interested in any of these positions, please email Hamish (president@musoc.org.nz).  More information on this and other Musoc performances can be found on their website.

Autumn Theatre News from UC

The students at the University of Canterbury have a few theatre announcements for this Autumn.

Dramasoc
The University of Canterbury's Drama Society is holding its Half-Annual General Meeting on the 28 March at 6pm (location TBC see here for more details).  All members are welcome as committee elections will be taking place at this meeting.

Musoc
The University of Canterbury Musical Theatre Society is putting a call out for interest in their UCSA Arts Week event.  They are looking for ideas for themes and volunteers for production roles.  The event is likely to be a medium-scale cabaret.  Email president@musoc.org.nz if you'd like to get in touch.

Musoc is also holding a workshop this week for people wanting to improve singing skills, with a focus on basic music theory and the beginnings of singing technique. See here for more info or email admin@musoc.org.nz to book a place.

And finally from Musoc, auditions are being held next weekend for their new show choir.  The show choir is a break away from their 2010 and 2011 "Glee Club" and will focus on fast-paced learning and cabaret-style performances.  See here for details or email events@musoc.org.nz.

Musoc presents RENT

Thanks to Get It On! NZ, Musoc will be performing Jonathan Larsen's Tony Award winning musical RENT.

Based loosely on Puccini's "La Boheme", RENT tells the story of one year in the life of friends living the Bohemian life in modern East Village, New York City, 1989-1990.  Among the group are our narrator, nerdy love-struck filmmaker Mark Cohen; the object of Mark's affection, his former girlfriend, Maureen Johnson; Maureen's Harvard-educated public interest lawyer and lesbian lover Joanne Jefferson; Mark's roommate, HIV-positive musician and former junkie, Roger David; Roger's new girlfriend, the HIV-positive drug addicted S&M dancer, Mimi Marquez; their former roommate, HIV-positive computer genius Tom Collins; Collins' HIV-Positive drag queen street musician/lover Angel; and Benjamin Coffin III, a former member of the group who married for money and has since become their landlord and the opposite of the group's Bohemian values.  This show demonstrates how much changes or doesn't change in the 525, 600 minutes that make up a year.

RENT runs from Wednesday 7th March to Saturday March 31st, with shows on the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week. 

Tickets can be purchased online, or in the UC Central Library foyer between 10am-2pm (cash only) - door sales may also be available.

Performances start at 7.30pm. 

Tickets are $15 or $12 for students.

Directed by Sam Creed and Merryn Patrick
Musical Direction by Cameron Stewart and Benjamin McKellar
Choreography by Jessie Budd

For more info, see the event page on Facebook or the Musoc website.

Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play

A one-night only feature of UCSA Orientation 2012, Erin Harrington and Lilly Thomson present the NZ professional premiere of VINTAGE HITCHCOCK: A LIVE RADIO PLAY.

Come join us for an evening of adaptations of three early films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: "The Lodger," "Sabotage" and "The 39 Steps." Watch these stories come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast with five actors playing almost 70 parts - expect explosions, high speed chases, parades, numerous acts of espionage and terrorism and a healthy dose of light murder.

The actors are live, the sound effects are live, the music is live - but some of the characters, unfortunately, may not be alive for long.

Featuring Matt Powell, John Ussher, Kim Georgine, Damien McGrath and Lizzie Tollemache with Matt Everingham.

Directed and produced by Lilly Thomson and Erin Harrington

7:30pm, Wednesday 22 February
C1 Lecture Theatre, University of Canterbury
Tickets $10 on the door, with pre sales available at UC cafes.

Suitable for all ages.

(source: http://www.facebook.com/events/245199358887640/)

Call For Actors For Short Film

A fourth year Fine Arts student from the University of Canterbury is on the look out for actors to perform in a short film.  The shoot will take place between April and July, dates are yet to be confirmed.  Further information is available from the StarNow listing or contact Clara at cmanonw@gmail.com to express your interest (please include a contact number and headshot). 

AUDITION NOTICE

The University of Canterbury's Musoc are holding auditions for their March 2012 season of Tony Award winning musical, Rent.  They are looking for men and women with various vocal ranges to play lead and minor characters.  Auditions will be held on Saturday the 26th and Sunday 27th November, and you will be required to recite one song of your choosing, as well as do some cold reading and choreography work.  Performance dates are March 8-14 2012. 

Interested In Taking On A Production Role?

Musoc is looking for some new faces to join the production team for their March 2012 show, Rent.  In particular they are looking for creative designers, choreographers, and producers.  This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to have a go at a backstage role or who is interested in theatre but might not be so enthused about performing. 

You don't necessarily need to have previous experience but they do need people who are committed, enthusiastic and organised.
If you're an artsy, creative type then you might be interested in set or costume design; if you are a bit OCD about being organised then producing would be right for you, and if you're an experienced dancer and natural leader, you might be just the choreographer Musoc is looking for.

Theatre really does have something for everyone, and this is an awesome chance for people who don't usually consider themselves "thespians" to give it a go.  If any of the above roles sound like something you might be interested in, check out the Musoc website or email their secretary, Seamus (secretary@musoc.org.nz), to let them know you're keen. 

Musoc Calling for Proposals for 2012

The University of Canterbury's Musical Theatre Society has called for proposals for their next show (to take place in March 2012).  If you're in Christchurch and have been sitting around waiting for your favourite musical to be produced, this is a great opportunity for you to take control and make it happen.  The deadline for these proposals is approaching fast, but if you haven't got much planned for the long weekend, there's still time to put something together.
And don't worry if it's too late for you this time, Musoc produces two shows a year, so there's another chance next year.

To find out how to propose a musical to Musoc, check out this neat proposal guide on their website.  Proposals must be emailed to Seamus at secretary@musoc.org.nz no later than 5pm Monday 24 October.

Musoc's The Threepenny Opera

The University of Canterbury's Musical Society spring season of The Threepenny Opera is now performing, with last night's opening a theatrical success.

As an unusual choice of show, The Threepenny Opera deserves a proper introduction. 

3Some 2011!

I've been very much looking forward to this! In keeping with its annual tradition, the University of Canterbury's Dramasoc is bringing to Christchurch a season of quirky and original One Act plays.

AUDITION NOTICE

Dramasoc will be holding auditions this weekend for their annual festival of one-act plays.