Auditions

OF MICE AND MEN

Performance Dates:  February 21 – March 15, 2020

Adapted by John Steinbeck from his own classic novel, the play hauntingly follows George and Lennie, California migrant workers searching for a better life during the Great Depression.  The unlikely and protective friendship between the two resonates as they strive for the American dream.  Their dependence on one another is the strength and weakness of the relationship.  Recognized as a masterpiece of literature, the relevance of the story still rings true today.

Director: Gil Sebastian

Stage Manager: Chris Taloff

Auditions:

Sunday, December 1 at 7:30, and Monday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodland Opera House, 340 2^nd Street, Woodland, CA

Callbacks, if needed: Wednesday, December 3, location TBD

Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script.

Due to mature themes and historical accuracy, those auditioning must be 21 or over

Rehearsals:  Actors will not be called to every rehearsal – only when needed. 

General rehearsal days are Monday – Thursday, 7:30 p.m., with location TBD. 

Mandatory Tech Week:  Week of February 16, leading to opening on February 21 (no conflicts accepted)

There will be a School Outreach Performance on Thursday, February 27th at 9:30. 

Please feel free to contact the director, Gil Sebastian, with questions or concerns at diractor54@gmail.com.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

GEORGE: Of the two main characters, he is the “brains”.  Thinks things through, establishes goals, but is a very lonely man.  Volatile personality, reflecting both anger and understanding. His relationship with Lennie is a very special bond, as, together, they search for a better life.

LENNIE: He is the “brawn” of the two main characters. A true innocent.  His mental disability makes him childlike and dependent.  Immensely strong, but does not know the consequence of his own strength.  Because of his inability for rational thought, he relies heavily on his friend, George, to guide him through life.

SLIM: Ranch supervisor; the voice of reason and rationality. Main driver of mule teams, used for hauling barley.  Respected and admired by all ranch hands, including Curley.

CANDY: Old handyman; relegated to cleaning out bunkhouses and mucking stalls because he lost his right hand in an accident. A man broken by life in general and the Depression in particular.

THE BOSS: Ranch manager, and Curley’s father. Quick to anger and suspicion, but is otherwise fair. Like his son, the boss wears fancy boots to show that he occupies a station above the ranch hands.  

CURLEY:  The Boss’s son.  The true evil character.  Despises everyone, with the exception of Slim.  Former boxer who is always picking fights, usually with bigger men, to prove his masculinity.  Extremely jealous of his wife and does what he can to keep her isolated from the ranch hands.

CURLEY’S WIFE:  A seductive beauty, who uses that beauty as power.  Flirts with all of the ranch hands to make her husband jealous, and to get the attention she does not receive from her husband.  She is sexy without being trashy, is terribly lonely, and has moments of pure vulnerability.

CARLSON: Mean, crass ranch hand; shows no signs of humanity or sentimentality

WHIT: Decent, kind-hearted ranch hand.  Opposite of Carlson.

CROOKS:  African American; takes care of the horses; got his name because of a crooked back he received being kicked by a horse. Lonely and bitter, he is pivotal to Steinbeck’s depiction of racial discrimination during the Great Depression.

Singin’ In the Rain

Hailed as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, Singin In the Rain, tells the story of the golden age of Hollywood when silent films gave way to the “talkies”. The MGM Classic has been faithfully and lovingly adapted, with each unforgettable scene present and accounted for, including the show stopping number, complete with an onstage rainstorm!

Director: Rodger McDonald

Choreographer: Darryl Strohl- De Herrera

Music Direction: Jia-Min Rosendale

Stage Manager: Melissa Dahlberg

Performance Dates: April 24th, 2020 through May 17th, 2020

Auditions:

Sunday, January 26 at 7:00 P.M. and Monday, January 27 at 7:00 at 415 4^th Street – Rehearsal Hall

Callbacks will be held Tuesday, January 28th location TBD

Please bring a resume if you have one and be prepared to list conflicts for the rehearsal period that will commence February 24 and continue through opening on April 24^th. Please prepare 16 bars or a one-minute audition song in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music in your key, an accompanist with be provided. You may use a CD if the track is cut to the correct section of the song and there are no vocals. Be prepared to dance, bring comfortable clothes and shoes.

Be aware that there are large roles that do not sing and dance.

Character Breakdown

Don Lockwood: Charming, witty, Hollywood Actor and Dancer – especially Tap

Kathy Seldon: Young, upcoming actress. Strong willed, smart. Don’s love interest. – Tapper

Cosmo Brown: Don’s wacky best friend and film studio’s head musician – tapper (piano a +)

Lina Lamont: Glamorous silent screen film actress with a brash and obnoxious personality and a

                        High-pitched nasal voice. – Sings a solo in the show

RF Simpson: Louis B. Mayer type. Head of the film studio

Roscoe Dexter: High strung, frustrated director

Dora Bailey: Hedda Hopper type. Over-exaggerated bubbly columnist and radio personality

Miss Dinsmore: Lina’s diction coach

Zelda Zanders: Young starlet. Lina’s best pal

Sid Phillips: Flamboyant Director of musicals

Rod: PR man for the studio

Chorus:  a myriad of opportunities for roles and lines in the motion pictures which will be made and part of the show, second and third director, sound engineer, and featured tenor. The Chorus will never be idle in this show and all of them will sing and dance and pay multiple characters.

“SHAKING UP SHAKESPEARE!”

~ A Midsummer Night’s Dream Performance Workshop~

Ages 11-16 

This energetic and action packed workshop brings Shakespeare’s words to life. Shakespeare’s plays were written to be seen and heard and more importantly to entertain. The workshop ends with a performance of an abridged version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for an invited audience. It’s a fun and exciting way to explore Shakespeare and develop your acting skills. 

Directed by Cheryl Watson

Performance: Saturday, May 2^nd at 2:00.

Dress Rehearsals: TBA

Auditions:

February 15, 9:00AM at Woodland Opera House Rehearsal Studio (415 4^th St). Open to students ages 11-16.

Auditioners will be asked to prepare one of the attached monologues. Monologues do not need to be memorized.

View Monologue Sides

Class will meet Saturdays, 9:00AM-11:00AM from March 7-May 2 (No class April 11)

Workshop Fee: $98

(An invitation from the director highly influenced by Mr. Shakespeare!)

Show no fear my friend indeed.

 With time and care we will succeed. 

Our journey holds such  great delights,

with games, and songs and fairy sprites!  

So join with me along the path and  fear not the Bard he hath no wrath. 

Cheryl Watson is an awarding winning theatre educator and director with over 34 years experience. Ms Watson’s awards include 11 Ellys for direction and A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance presented in 2017.  Cheryl was part of the first group of educators to attend The Globe Theatre Education Academy in London sponsored by the Mondavi Center and UC Davis. Although recently retired from the classroom she looks forward to  freelancing as a director and acting coach.

Cast Lists

Guild

Ushers and Docents

The Woodland Opera House Guild is seeking ushers and tour docents.

Become a guild member and support the Woodland Opera House. Membership is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to enjoy a night out at the theatre. And of course, there is the good feeling of supporting our fabulous historic Woodland Opera House.

As a State Historic Park the opera house offers tours. The Woodland Opera House is one of the smallest state parks in the California Park system and a designated historic landmark. Share our remarkable history by becoming a tour docent.

Join the Woodland Opera House Guild Thinking about becoming a guild member? These frequently asked questions may help you decide:

What is the Woodland Opera House Guild? The Guild is an organization of men and women who want to insure the success of the historic Woodland Opera House by volunteering their services. Anyone over the age of 16 may join. Children 12-15 years old may join if sponsored by and accompanied to events by an adult member.

Are there lots of meetings? There is an orientation meeting when you first join, then one meeting a year. The Board of Directors meets once a month. Their meetings are open to any member.

How much does it cost? The dues for an active member are $25.00 per year. If you wish to join, but do not feel you can work much, or not at all, you may join as an Associate member. Associate dues are $40.00 per year. We have recently added a family membership for $90 a year. This is ideal for families of 4 or more that reside at the same address.

What can I do as a volunteer? You can: usher at all Main Stage and Family productions and concerts, give out programs, provide help and assistance to our patrons, help backstage, sew costumes, paint sets, help with refreshments, serve on the Board, decorate for the holidays, learn to give tours, help with fundraisers, and many other tasks. There is always need for additional help and something for everyone. Let us know how you would like to contribute.

How often do I have to work? Active members are requested to help out at least 6 times a year. Most members enjoy serving much more than that. Associate members are not required to work, but their services are always welcome. They may sign up to volunteer for any event, performance or concert as they wish.

What’s in it for me? The satisfaction of knowing you are helping keep the Historic Woodland Opera House Theatre vital is your greatest reward. More tangible rewards are seeing the performances and concerts free when you work at them, invitations to social events, and meeting wonderful dedicated people like yourself. Each member keeps a record of their hours served in a binder. Members having 50 or more hours a year are honored at the annual Chesley Awards (W.O.H.’s Academy Award). Membership is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to enjoy a night out at the theatre and spend some quality time together supporting our fabulous Historic Woodland Opera House.

Wish List

The Woodland Opera House depends on the generosity of those who help!

Here is our running wish list:

• • • Wardrobe Boxes
    • Portable Air Compressor
    • 88 weighted key board
    • Wardrobe Racks
    • Shelving
    • Dance Accessories (mats, ribbons, hoops, etc.)
    • Heavy duty belt sander
    • Large Rugs and Runners
    • Battery Operated screw guns

We also participate in the Amazon Smile program, where many of our wish list items can be purchased and shipped directly to us.

It’s convenient and always appreciated!