Casting auditions can call for specific talents and demographics - old people or young, singers or comedians, for instance. But this season, Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick is looking for a wide variety of ages and talents for roles the producers predict will be unusually interesting to actors.
“I think 2019 is the best season we have had for actors, maybe forever,” said Michael Guptill, owner of the 47-year-old Hackmatack Playhouse. In fact, continued Guptill, the four lead roles in the “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” might be “the best roles actors will have in their entire careers.”
Auditions for the four productions - “Always, Patsy Cline,” “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Peter and the Starcatcher” - will run from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday, March 16, at the South Berwick Community Center at 71 Norton St., with callbacks the next day.
Coincidentally, both “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” and “Peter and the Starcatcher,” are based on novels of the same name, and call for an ensemble of actors who play multiple roles.
“This will create a wonderful experience for actors,” Guptill said.
For “Curious Incident,” Hackmatack will be looking to cast 10 versatile actors who move well, can handle English dialects, and play imaginatively together as an ensemble, according to Artistic Director Crystal Lisbon.
“These roles are just superb ,with plenty of ways to make and build characters,” Guptill said.
The lead in this play is Christopher Boone, who is in his late teens or early 20s and has a unique perception of the world.
Lisbon describes Christopher as being brilliant at math and someone who “feels deeply, but struggles with understanding social and emotional cues, and empathizing with others.” Fear and frustration can cause him to become overwhelmed, agitated, and sometimes violent so the actor must be be physically fit and agile, she said.
For Peter and the Starcatcher Hackmatack will be looking for a dozen or so actors to play a number of roles. Though the show is not a musical, there are musical interludes, and actors will need to be comfortable with music.
If we can find actors with some experience as musicians as well, that would be ideal said Lisbon, who is also directing the show.
As far as the two musicals of the season - “Always, Patsy” and “Mamma Mia,” each calls for very different abilities.
Guptill expects a large turnout of performers auditioning for the role of country singer Patsy Cline because “it is such a great way to show off musical skills.” Any actors who are interested in this part will need to forward their headshot and resume when they request an audition.
Patsy Cline, a female who is 25 to 35, is known for her rich tone, emotionally expressive and bold contralto voice. The only other actor in this show is Patsy’s wisecracking friend, Louise Seger, a female 35 to 55 years old.
”The actor playing Seger must be musical, but not necessarily a great singer,” said Lisbon, “She must command the stage, because she essentially narrates the entire show.
And “Mamma Mia,” a hit Broadway comedy based on the music of ABBA, has many roles suitable for older men and older women. The lead is a 20-something female, and the ensemble requires a number of young girls and guys who can dance and sing.
“In fact all the shows are great for older people,” Guptill noted. “There are all sorts of roles for all of those people.”
Auditions are generally open to actors age 16 and up, but the directors may consider younger actors for roles in “Curious Incident” and “Peter and the Starcatcher’.
Actors auditioning for these must bring two headshots and a resume. Those who are only interested in auditioning for the plays need to prepare two two-minute monologues and those interested in auditioning for the musicals or for both should bring a brief monologue and 16 bars of music in the style of show, according to Lisbon.
For more information, or to make an appointment for an audition or send a resume, email
Mikeguptill@hotmail.com
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