The Relevant Stage in San Pedro Announces Auditions for "Kiss Me Kate"

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 12, 2010 - Auditions will be MONDAY - DECEMBER 27 from 7PM to 10PM. Contact KMK@therelevantstage.com for an audition appointment time that falls between 7PM and 10PM.

Performances will be FEBRUARY 17 to 27. Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8PM, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30PM and an additional show on Sunday at 7PM. 12 performances.

Rehearsals will begin Monday January 3 for 6 1/2 weeks. Rehearsals fall on Monday through Thursday evenings fro...m 7PM to 10PM and Saturday afternoons from 1PM to 5PM.

* Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
* Book by Sam and Bella Spewak

Produced by Special Arrangement with Tam-Witmark Music Library Inc.

It's Baltimore -- June 1948 -- and to the opening of a musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The cast of the play is on stage and receiving final instructions from Fred Graham, the director. A play-within-a-play unfolds, where each of the four main cast members' on-stage performance is complicated by what is happening in his or her off-stage life. Fred takes the roles of director and male lead, Petruchio. His ex-wife Lilli, now a movie star with a reputation for being difficult to work with, plays Katharine, the shrew. Fred's current love interest, Lois, plays the role of Bianca -- and the other man in Lois' life, Bill, plays the role of Lucentio. Before the curtain rises on "The Shrew," we find out that Bill has a gambling problem ... and that he signed an IOU for a gambling debt in Fred's name. Two thugs show up at the theater to make it clear that Bill will have to make good on that IOU, but they confront Fred instead. And thus begins Kiss Me, Kate

No conflicts accepted for Performance Dates or Technical Rehearsal
Audition Requirements

REHEARSALS: Mon - Thurs 7 to 10PM, and Saturdays 1 to 5PM, Jan 3 - Feb 12' then - Feb 13, 15 & 16 Tech/Dress from 6PM to 11PM - no rehearsal 2/14.

Please bring a headshot and resume (if available) and a list of all potential conflicts including holiday travel, etc.

Bring dance attire and proper dance shoes. There will be cold readings from the script. Please note: Dialogue in the play-within-a-play is pulled directly from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

No appointment necessary. There is NO PAY.

Character Breakdown of Available Roles:

* Lois Lane / Bianca Alto - low G to high F; Age Range: 18 to 35 Lois is a night club performer in her first stage role. She is in love with Bill, but playing up to Fred. Bianca is the younger daughter of Baptista. The lovely Bianca is soft-spoken, sweet, and unassuming. Because of her large dowry and her mild behavior, several men vie for her hand. Dancer

* Bill Calhoun / Lucentio
Baritone - low G to high F; Age Range: 25 to 35 Bill is a Broadway hoofer and in love with Lois. He is also a compulsive gambler. Lucentio is a suitor to Bianca. Dancer

* Gangster #1
Baritone - low B to high F; Age Range 25 to 60 Gangster collecting on a gambling IOU. Dancer/Mover

* Gangster#2
Baritone - low B to high D; Age Range 25 to 60 Gangster collecting on a gambling IOU. Dancer/Mover

* Paul
Baritone - C to high F#; Age Range 25 to 40 Fred's dresser. Dancer

* Hattie
Belt - low G to high F; Age Range 25 to 55 Lillie's dresser. Dancer/Mover

* General Howell
Baritone - low B to high F; Age Range 40 to 60 Career military officer, politician, and Lilli's new man. Non-dancing role

* Harry / Minola Baptista
non-singing role; Age Range: 50-70 Harry is a veteran character actor. Minola Baptista is one of the wealthiest men in Padua. He is good-natured, but absent-minded. He has decided that Kate cannot marry before Bianca does. Non-dancing role

* Hortensio
Tenor - low Bb to high A; Age Range: 21 to 35 Suitor to Bianca. Dancer

* Gremio
Tenor - low Bb to high A; Age Range: 21 to 35 Suitor to Bianca. Dancer

* Ralph
non-singing role; Age Range: 25 to 60 manager for the company. Non-dancing role

* Ensemble Singers and Dancers to play various roles - age 13-70

What to bring: All persons auditioning:

* Recent photo
* Theatrical resumé
* Sheet music 16 to 32 bars
* Comfortable clothes/shoes for movement

What to Prepare: All persons auditioning:

* Ability to perform cold readings from the script;
* Ability to learn a dance routine and perform simple dance steps.

Principals:

* One (1) up-tempo song from ‘40s or ‘50’s era (can be from Kiss me Kate);

Ensemble Singers:

* One (1) prepared song of your choice (16-32 bars) from chorus of a Broadway show (can be from Kiss me Kate).
/10
Gangsters:

* Character song in style of show (can be from Kiss me Kate).

Featured Dancers:

* One (1) prepared routine from ‘40’s/’50’s era.


TRS is also seeking additional support staff for this production:  Sound Engineers/Designers, Stage Managers, Propmasters and Costuming Assistants - submit your interest to KMK@therelevantstage.com

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The Relevant Stage Theatre Company performs in residence at The Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, CA. TRS' mission is to challenge hearts, engage minds and expose truths. TRS tells relevant stories about the contemporary world we share.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11144949/1