Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 35th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, will hold 2019 season open auditions for high school (15 and up), college and adult performers Wednesday, April 24 through Saturday, April 27 at Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. A separate audition session for younger performers (ages 7-15) will be held on Saturday morning, April 27.
The main stage musical season features popular recent shows from the Broadway repertoire including the uproarious “Monty Python’s Spamalot” (June 28-July 13), directed and choreographed by accomplished MAR alumna Shannon-Courtney Denihan; and the humorous and heartwarming “Shrek” (July 26-August 10), directed by Broadway and national tour performer Lindsay O’Neil and choreographed by seasoned MAR alum Lindsay Miller. Talented MAR vets Claire Simard and Tracey Marble team up to musical direct “Spamalot” and well-known maestro Dan Koch returns to musical direct “Shrek.”
For younger audiences, MAR’s popular Fairy Tale Theater series, now in its 21st year, offers a theater experience for young people by young people. The hour-long interactive shows, adapted from classic children’s tales, are directed by children’s theater professional Missy Slaymaker-Hanlon of the Ridgefield Theater Barn and performed by a youth ensemble. Performances are on Saturday mornings July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at Workspace Education in Bethel.
“All of us at Musicals at Richter are thrilled to be celebrating the theater’s 35th season,” says Joyce Northrop, MAR’s Acting Artistic Director. “We look forward to auditions and putting together terrific and talented casts for the upcoming productions.”
Open auditions for high school (15 and up), college and adult performers will be held at Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury Wednesday, April 24, Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26 from 7-10 p.m. and on Saturday, April 27 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Please park next door in the Richter Golf Course parking lot.) Doors open 1/2 hour before all auditions begin.
Those auditioning for the two main stage shows should prepare two contrasting songs from the traditional and contemporary musical theater repertoire that show their range, bring sheet music in their key, and be ready to sing only their best 16 measures if necessary. An accompanist will be provided.
Separate auditions for young performers ages 7-15 will be held Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At that time, casting will be considered for youth roles in “Shrek” and in the Fairy Tale Theater troupe. For Fairy Tale Theater, the director is looking for boys and girls with personality (no experience is needed and no singing is required for Fairy Tale Theater ensemble). Children must attend this Saturday call if they wish to be considered for “Shrek” or Fairy Tale Theater casting.
Other opportunities for young and aspiring performers (ages 8-16) are available through Musicals at Richter’s tuition-based Summer Youth Theater Workshop programs that also culminate in public performances. Participants can choose one or both sessions, which include Professional Master Classes and Showcase (June 24-July 19) and a production of “Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Jr.” (July 22-August 17). Visit www.musicalsatrichter.org for further details and registration.
In addition to performers, Musicals at Richter seeks volunteers from the area for backstage duties such as set construction, properties, costume coordination and running crew, along with front-of-house operations such as house management, ushering and concessions. Visit the theater website for job descriptions; interested individuals are invited to e-mail the theater (info@musicalsatrichter.org). Several positions (such as stage managers) may offer a stipend or possible internships for credit.