All auditions take place at The Sauk (240 E. Chicago St. in Jonesville, MI) unless otherwise noted. ​​​​​​

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Plays-in-Development 2023

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts. This is a small commitment of time. No experience necessary. No memorization required. The four plays call for eight men, seven women, four teenage boys, five teenage girls and two young girls. 

The House

By Elisa Manzini (Los Angeles, CA), Directed by Christina Dube

Away from home because of work, Sabrina decides to visit the house where she was born. Jane, the young woman who now lives in the house, welcomes her warmly. They chat about relationships, family and blueberry pies. Jane confesses she feels lonely sometimes and can’t wait to have a baby. The following day Sabrina goes back to meet Jane’s husband, Jerry, and during their conversation she realizes she’s stuck in a weird time capsule in 1977, and Jane and Jerry are her parents. After trying to convince the couple about her identity, Sabrina begs them not to have kids, revealing that her mom suffered from severe postpartum depression and ended up killing herself and her father. Will Jane believe her though?

• Sabrina (female) - early 40s, troubled forensic psychiatrist who lost her mom and dad when she was only a few months old. 
• Jane (female) - early 20s. Insecure housewife who wants a baby.
• Jerry (male) - early 20s. Jane's husband. He works at his father's convenience store. He loves Jane but he's note ready to have a kid. 

The Lost Recording

By Jo Ann Simon (Danbury, CT) and Jennifer Yokell (Hillsdale, MI), Directed by Sarah Gray

Jo Ann is a mother and a grandmother.  She was also a wife.  A surprising discovery is made when an old forgotten recording is found on a tape recorder.  Jo Ann is transported back in time to a single night through the recording of her and her husband from several years earlier.  On that night, Tom and Jo Ann are at a crossroads in their relationship.  With the backdrop of 40’s music the scenes play out. They  work through their differences until a hidden truth is revealed about Tom’s health which changes everything.  Their vow to love each other through sickness and health, till death do them part will be tested. The question is, whether her past can bring peace to her present. This play is based on a true story.

• Jo Ann/Grammy - late 50s, wife of Tom, Mother of Jen
• Tom/Tom Tom - early 50s, husband of Jo Ann
• Jen - Mid 30s, wife of Greg
• Greg - Mid 30s, husband of Jen
• Esther - Age 6, daughter of Greg and Jen
• Mimi - Age 100, grandmother of Tom 

The Lion in the Snow Globe

By Paul Lewis (Bainbridge Island, WA), Directed by MJ Dulmage

17-year-old Veronica is a great admirer of female superheroes. What she loves most about them is that they don’t start out wanting to be superheroes, but when there's a life in the balance, they’ll leap into the fray in order to set things right. Every Christmas season since she was very young, Veronica has visited the magnificent bronze lion standing watch in front of her great-uncle’s department store, sharing confidences as well as the scent of a marzipan cookie. Over time she becomes aware that this bronze statue is a sentient being. Late one Christmas Eve, threatened with exile from the town square he loves, Lion makes one final leap and transforms into a live African lion, prowling the city streets in search of the long-shuttered amusement park that was his first home. It’s up to Veronica to find him and keep him safe from police bullets long enough to restore him to his place on the town square.

• Young Veronica - a 7-year-old girl
  
• Veronica - a teenaged girl, 14-years-old early on, then 17. A passionate admirer of girl and woman superheroes. 
  
• Great-Uncle Hugo - Veronica's great uncle. 
  
  • ​Also plays Lion, a bronze statue who eventually speaks
    
  • Also plays Editor of the Dayville Daily Bugle
• Det. Delaney, with the Metropolitan Police. Fifteen years on the job when he first appears in Act One, on the eve of retirement in Act Two. Late 40s or older.
  • Also plays Workman 2
• Harriet - Veronica's mother, a single mom, 30s to 40s
• Alice - Veronica's childhood babysitter, then friend. A young journalist, 20s. 
  • Also plays Chester, a sock monkey
  • Officer Watson, Metropolitan Police
• Mr. Anastasia - a middle-aged accordion teacher. A widower.
  • Also plays Workman 1

With Regards to Marty McFly

By Linda Howard Cooke (Hastings, NE), Directed by Trinity Bird

The plot is set in motion when Sophie turns her teachers into their 1980s teen-aged selves, using the time machine she invented for the science fair. By looking into the teachers’ pasts, Sophie and her classmates get a glimpse into their own futures, and they’re not sure they like what they see. 

• ​Becca Crooner - high school student and wannabe singer/actress
  
• Aaron Brooks - high school students and wannabe pro athlete
  
• Sophie Kostopoulos - high school science nerd
  
• Mrs. Abbott - 40s, soft touch English teacher, a little dowdy
  
• Mr. Bennet - 40s, tough guy science teacher
  
• Mr. Conners - 40s, drama and music teacher extraordinaire
  
• Barry - teenaged Mr. Conners, talented but shy student
  
• Rick - teenaged Mr. Bennet, high school bully
• Wendy - teenaged Mrs. Abbott, snotty popular girl
  

Gathering Blue

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. Andy Anderson will direct.​

About the Play

​In an apocalyptic future where children are kept like animals and human life is cheap, young Kira learns the ugly truth about the powers controlling her world. A gifted weaver, her talent catches the attention of the Council of Guardians. Under their custody, Kira is made to mend and embellish the ceremonial Singer's Robe—a garment that tells the history of the world. But the longer she works, the more she learns about the horrifying secrets that keep her community hostage. Can she use her knowledge and art to reshape the future? Based on Lois Lowry's companion piece to The Giver, Gathering Blue tells a suspenseful tale of the power of creativity to fight brutality.

Available Roles

• Kira - A teenaged girl finding her gift. 
  
• Katrina - Kira's mother, newly taken. 
  
• Christopher - Kira's father, taken long ago. 
  
• Matt - A young boy, hungry for the world.
  
• Vandara - A scarred woman of the village.
  
• Chief Guardian - The voice of order in the village. 
  
• Jamison - A guardian of the village.
  
• Thomas - A teenaged boy who knows his gift.
  
• Annabella - An old woman who knows.
• Jo - A very young girl with a future.
  
• The Singer - A man who remembers.
  

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Pinocchio

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. This production rehearses in the afternoons and includes Friday morning performances. Mari Nuñez will direct.

PLEASE NOTE: Rehearsals for this production are Monday through Thursday afternoons from 4-6 p.m.

About the Play

One lonely night the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto's wish and brings his wooden puppet to life. So begins Pinocchio's journey...Pinocchio tangles with tricksters, Fox and Cat, and Lampwick and his no-good buddies in the Land of Toys. Will he ever prove that he is good enough to become a Real Boy?​

Available Roles

• Pinocchio
  
• Hickory Cricket
• Lorenzo - also plays Coachman
• Alberto - also plays Puppeteer, Geppetto, Lampwick
• Macaroni - also plays Puppet, Ivana, Blue Fairy, Lefty the Cat, Girl in Land of Toys
• Pepperoni - also plays Puppet, Lucky Star, Fibber the Fox, Boy in Land of Toys

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. Trinity Bird will direct with Kristi Gautsche as musical director. Sarah Kilgore will choreograph.

PLEASE NOTE - This production conflicts with Rounding Third. 

About the Play

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors. Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. The magical musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, from a parody of French ballads (“Those Canaan Days”), to country-western (“One More Angel in Heaven”) and calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”), along with the unforgettable classics “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

Available Roles

• Narrator - Soprano
• Joseph - Tenor
  
• Jacob, Joseph's Father - Baritone
  
• Potiphar - Baritone
  
• Mrs. Potiphar - Alto/Mezzo
  
• Butler - Tenor/Baritone
  
• Baker - Tenor/Baritone
  
• Pharaoh - Tenor/Baritone
  
• Joseph's Brothers: 
  
  • Reuben
  • Simeon
    
  • Levi
    
  • Naphtali
    
  • Issachar
    
  • Asher
    
  • Dan
    
  • Zebulon
    
  • Gad
    
  • Benjamin
    
  • Judah
    
• ​Ensemble Women/Wives
  
• Children's Choir (Boys and Girls)

Rounding Third

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. Director TBA. 

About the Play

ROUNDING THIRD is the tumultuous journey of two Little League coaches through an entire season, from their first tentative meeting to the climactic championship game. Don is the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael is a newcomer both to the town and to baseball. He's a corporate executive who agrees to be Don's assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who's never played baseball before. Despite their differences, Michael and Don form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the team. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rain-outs, the two men battle over how to lead the team. Michael believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition while making sure everyone has a good time. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win. Out of these conflicting philosophies, the real issues of the play emerge: how should we raise our children? Since we live in such a ferociously competitive society, do we protect our children as long as possible? Or do we prepare them to be tough enough to win? And what does it mean to be an American man?

Available Roles

• Don
• Michael
  

The Sound of Music

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. There are roles for 6 men, 7 women, 2 boys (ages 10 and 14) and 5 girls (ages 5, 7, 9, 13 and 16). There is also a large ensemble of nuns and actors are needed to play the neighbors and friends of the family. Director/Musical Director to be announced.

About the Play
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Available Roles

• ​Maria Rainer - a Postulant at Nonnberg Abbey
  
• The Mother Abbess
  
• Sister Berthe - Mistress of Novices
  
• Sister Margaretta - Mistress of Postulants
  
• Sister Sophia
  
• Captain Georg von Trapp
  
• Franz - the butler
  
• Frau Schmidt - the housekeeper
  
• Liesl von Trapp - age 16
  
• Friedrich von Trapp - age 14
  
• Louisa von Trapp - age 13
  
• Kurt von Trapp - age 10
  
• Brigitta von Trapp - age 9
  
• Marta von Trapp - age 7
  
• Gretl von Trapp - the youngest
  
• Rolf Gruber - age 17
  
• Elsa Schraeder
  
• Ursula
  
• Max Detweiler
  
• Herr Zeller
  
• Baron Elberfeld
  
• A New Postulant
  
• Admiral von Schreiber
  
• Neighbors of Captain von Trapp, nuns, novices, postulants, and contestants at the Festival Concert

The 24-Hour Theatre Project

Auditions are open to anyone age 15 and up. Actors are auditioning for plays that have not been written. Actors are given two minutes to do whatever shows off their talents best - a monologue, tell a story, sing a song, recite a poem, do a dance, etc. Playwrights and directors will then choose actors to write for. Rehearsals begin Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and continue all day through the 8 p.m. performance. More details including playwrights and directors will be announced at a later date. 

Prancer

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. Ron Boyle will direct.

About the Play

Young Jessica Riggs’ family has fallen on hard times. Still, she keeps her belief in Santa Claus and the idea that there are miracles in the world. When an injured reindeer appears in Jessica’s backyard, she believes it is Prancer. While she is nursing the creature back to health, the whole community of Three Oaks eventually learns about Prancer, causing big problems for Jessica as she tries to return the reindeer home. Based on the cherished film, "Prancer," this piece uses a heartwarming story and breathtaking puppetry to bring light into your holiday season.

Available Roles

• JESSICA RIGGS - 9, high-spirited, energy to burn, a true believer
  
• JOHN RIGGS - late 30’s, Jessica’s father
  
• STEVE RIGGS - 12, Jessica’s brother
  
• AUNT SARAH - early 40’s, John’s sister, Jessica’s aunt
  
• CAROL WEATHERBY - 10, Jessica’s best friend
  
• DR. BENTON - 50’s, the town’s veterinarian
  
• TOM STEWART - 40’s, the Santa at the mall
  
• MRS. MCFARLAND - 50’s, a recluse, the richest woman in town
  
• PASTOR WILLIAMS - 40’s, minister of Jessica’s church
  
• DORA BENEDETTI - 30’s, a Three Oaks policewoman
  
• HERB DRIER - 40’s, a butcher, owner of the town’s Christmas tree lot
  
• MISS FAIRBURN - 50’s, a teacher at Jessica’s school
  
• RYAN NICOLSON - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• GAVIN - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• NITA - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• STACY - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• RILEY - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• EMMA - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• TOMMY - one of Jessica’s classmates
  
• CREW WORKER - 30’s
  
• HAROLD - 8 years old
  
• SAMMY - 6 years old ​
  

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Audition requirements will be announced at a later date. 

About the Play
Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig. The score also pays homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley score from the 1971 film with songs from the motion picture including "Candy Man," "I've Got a Golden Ticket," "Oompa Loompa Song," and "Pure Imagination." The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Available Roles

• Willy Wonka
• Charlie Bucket
  
• Mrs. Green
  
• Grandpa Joe
  
• Mrs. Bucket
  
• Grandma Josephine
  
• Grandma Georgina
  
• Grandpa George
  
• Jerry
  
• Cherry
  
• Mrs. Gloop
  
• Augustus Gloop
  
• Mr. Salt
  
• Veruca Salt
  
• Mr. Beauregarde
  
• Violet Beauregarde
  
• Mike Teavee
  
• Mrs. Teavee
  
• Ensemble