Auditions for Darien's Bicentennial Reenactments on August 28!

Help bring Darien’s history to life! The Bicentennial Committee is looking for aspiring actors to take part in the staging of two of the most dramatic local events of the American Revolution — the Tory raids on both the Middlesex Meeting House and The Mather Homestead.

Auditions will take place on Saturday, August 28 from 1 to 3 pm at the First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road. All volunteers ages 12 and up are welcome to audition for either speaking or non-speaking roles. For everyone’s safety, organizers ask that all participants be vaccinated and comply with the state’s current Covid guidelines.

More information on the scripts and roles will be provided on the day of the audition, said Carole Claps, longtime Darien resident and former board member of the Darien Arts Center, who is directing the presentation. For more information, please email: info.darien2020@gmail.com.

The reenactments will be part of the town’s Heritage Day, an all-day event to be held on Saturday, October 23 (rain date will be October 24.) The festivities will be held at the Museum of Darien, the First Congregational Church and The Mather Homestead. All three locations will include living history presentations by the Fifth Connecticut Regiment.

“I’m delighted to be involved with the Museum of Darien in celebrating Darien’s Bicentennial,” said Claps, who directed “Darien’s Got Talent” for the Darien Arts Center and produced many Cabaret evenings and performances. “I hope that many of our citizens will come out for the auditions. I promise we will have a fun time!”

Organizers are in the process of meeting regularly to discuss the reenactments, and once roles are assigned, there will be a few rehearsals that will take place on Saturday mornings, Claps said.

Al Miller, chairman of the town’s Bicentennial Committee who is producing the reenactments, said that Heritage Day will be a celebration capping the many town events that took place to mark Darien’s 200^th birthday.

“I am so proud to be part of this event. We’ve crafted some wonderful roles for both adults and children,” Miller said. “Everyone who attends the audition will be able to participate, so please come out and help bring Darien’s history to life!”

Information on Bicentennial events and projects is available at www.darienct.gov/2020.To participate, volunteer or donate visit www.darienct.gov/2020 or email info.darien2020@gmail.com.