Sunday, October 05, 2014

Auditions for Building careACTOR Production of Beauty and the Beast

 

From: Karen Wiese [mailto:karen@arts-express.org]
Sent: Saturday, October 4, 2014 1:30 PM
Subject: Auditions for Building careACTOR Production of Beauty and the Beast

 

Arts Express is excited to announce our 2014-15 Building careACTOR production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast!  The Arts Express Building careACTOR Program unites diverse student actors from the deaf, blind and general community. Using synchronized speaking/signing, English and American Sign Language (ASL) is interwoven with music, dance and storytelling techniques to create a one-of-kind theatrical event. Discrimination and negative attitudes towards people with “disabilities” comes from a general lack of information and misunderstanding. By objectively recognizing differences and focusing on abilities (rather than “disabilities”), the Building careACTOR program teaches and models good character and empathy for others. Students break down the social barriers between the mainstream, deaf, and blind cultures, learning important life lessons and passing those messages on to their audiences.

 

The musical, Beauty and the Beast has been selected based on its simple yet endearing message and beautiful score.   As you know, it is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.  Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide.

 

Approximately 50 students, ages 9-18, will be cast in the production with a limit of 25 from the general community.  There are plenty of opportunities for lead  as well as ensemble roles.  In order to be compliant with our funding requirements, a $100/tuition fee will be charged at registration.  Please note however that this will include up to 4 free tickets to the performances (A $60 value)!  We have done everything we can to make this program affordable for student actor participation!  If these fees place a burden on your family, just contact me individually and we can discuss scholarship options. 

 

This year’s production will be directed by Luke Howell, with Kate Howell as music director (see bios below).  They are incredible teachers and theatre professionals and we are delighted to be working with them!  Auditions and rehearsals are scheduled as follows:

 

Auditions: November 17, 4:00-7:00 pm, Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway

Call Backs:   November 18, 4:00-6:00 pm, Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway

 

Trainings and Rehearsals – All in Berger Performing Arts Center or ASDB High School Classroom, 1200 W. Speedway

December 8th, 6:00-8:00 pm

December 15th, 6:00-8:00 pm

December 17th,  6:00-8:00 pm

Beginning 1/12/15, rehearsals will be scheduled every Monday from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm, until the last two weeks before the productions (see below) at which time rehearsals will be ramped up to address any problem areas and provide time for the tech and dress rehearsals.  A detailed schedule of all rehearsals will be provided at the December trainings/rehearsals.

 

Productions - Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway

Friday, April 24 at 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 pm

 

REGISTER NOW   We are already receiving calls and e-mails from students that are interested in performing in our 2015 production!  As mentioned above, registrations from the general community will be limited to 25 students.  Please register today!  Upon registration, informtion will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours to schedule your audition appointment. 

 

Thanks so much for your participation in the Arts Express programs!  Together, we are building a better community through the arts!

 

Karen

 

Karen F. Wiese, Executive Director

Arts Express, Inc.

 

 

www.arts-express.org

Follow Us on Facebook!

 

 

Luke Howell, Director

Luke Howell, native Tucsonan and graduate from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Film Production, has had a very diverse career in the field of theater.  Between Tucson and LA, he has made hundreds of appearances on stage and film.  Favorite roles include 'Bo' Decker in Bus Stop, 'Doc.' Holiday in Tombstone: The Musical, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He was nominated for a North Hollywood Theater Award for the role of Eddie in Triple Threat, an original musical written by his father, Terry Howell.  Luke has directed many short narrative and documentary films as well as a number of plays and musicals including The Rainmaker, The Magic of Christmas, and his own original musical, Mystic Window.  In 2013 he directed Parallax: A Magical Adventure for The D Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  He is also active  within the educational field.  He is the media department supervisor for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and is currently teaching a high school film production class on the Tucson Campus.  Right now Luke is directing Robin Hood the Musical for the Arizona Rose Theatre Company, where he has been a resident director and performer for the past fifteen years.

 

Kate Howell, Music Director

Kate Scally Howell, soprano, currently teaches music at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind.  She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and completed her master’s in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Penn State University.  She has been a repertory member of The Arizona Rose Theater company for the past four years, and has directed the music for several of their productions.  Favorite roles include Luisa in The Fantasticks, Marian in Robin Hood the Musical, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, and  Poppea in The Coronation of Poppea.  She is an experienced performer and teacher, and maintains a private voice studio in Tucson, with students of varying ages and abilities. 

 

----------------

Tucson Theatre Announcements List

Subscription information at TucsonStage.com

 

 

No comments: