Theatre--Review (AUI/AURA at Cite)

Ray Blum reviews AUI/AURA's productions of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and The Frogs (and the collaboration of Walter Brown and Cody Daigle) in the Friday, January 14th edition of the Daily Advertiser.

Theatre--Auditions

AUI/AURA is pleased to announce auditions for their summer production of William Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream at Cite Des Arts (109 Vince Street In downtown Lafayette) on Saturday, February 12th and Sunday, February 13th from 1 to 5 pm (on both days). This production will run in late July and/or early August. It will be directed by Cody Daigle and Cara Hayden.

The company is opening auditions to all interested actors in the community, with a special interest in actors under the age of 25. The production will require 15-20 actors, including those with special skills as dancers, singers, acrobats or musicians.

Actors of all ages, sizes and levels of acting experience are encouraged to audition.

Interested actors should prepare a 2 minute monologue from any play by Shakespeare (comedies preferred, not Midsummer). Some actors will also be asked to do cold readings from the script.

Interested singers may prepare a 30-second a capella vocal piece.  Interested dancers, acrobats and musicians should be prepared to discuss their previous experience and training.

AUI/AURA encourages everyone interested in participating to attend the audition, despite any previous experience with Shakespeare. A good attitude and a lot of energy are what interest the company most.

Theatre--Auditions

The Opelousas Little Theatre is holding open auditions for William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on January 19th (from 6 to 8 pm), January 22nd (from 3 to 5 pm) and on January 29th (from 3 to 5 pm).  The auditions will be held at the Opelousas Little Theatre and performances will be at the Delta Grand Theatre starting April 6th.


They are looking for males and females 15 and up for 20 to 30 characters.  Auditioners should bring a prepared monologue (Shakespeare preferred but not required).

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

The Iberia Performing Arts League will present its spring musical, South Pacific, opening March 25 and playing Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through April 10.  Evening performances are at 7:30 and Sunday Matinees at 3:00. Lead players are Mike Parich as Emile de Becque, Kim Monroe as Nellie Forbush, Phillip Smith as Lt. Joe Cable, Helen Allain Richthoven as Bloody Mary, and Thomas Owens as Luther Billis. Other featured players are Mike Berry, Bud Forrest, Anne Catherine Leblanc, Matt Dugan, James Wyche, Faye Tarantino, William Lambert, and Breigh Rodriguez.  In addition to this cast a chorus of 31 talented singers and dancers will bring the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to life.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and will be available in February.  Further information may be obtained by calling IPAL at (337) 364-6114, e-mailing to ipal@cox.net, or through the website www.iberia performs.com.

This performance is supported, in part, by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts, by the Community Foundation of Acadiana and by Regions Bank.

Theatre--Reading

On Monday, January 10 at 6:30 pm, Cité des Arts will host a reading/workshop for a new musical called In his Grace by Jane Billeaudeaux and John Richard.  This brand new musical is based on the lives of some famous musicians/entertainers/preachers from Farraday, Louisiana.

The authors could use a bunch of enthusiastic readers/listeners to give feedback on this script.

Theatre--Workshop

AUI/AURA is excited to announce an audition workshop to help actors prepare for the upcoming auditions for the summer production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The workshop will be led by the show's director, Cody Daigle, and AURA member and director, Ruth Diaz.

Participants will go through some exercises in the fundamentals of iambic pentameter, speaking Shakespeare's verse and good audition etiquette. There will also be time to work with the workshop leaders on your selected monologue.

The workshop is open free of charge to all interested actors. AUI/AURA asks, however,for RSVPs in advance of the workshop if you would like time for your individual audition monologue.


The workshop will be held at Cite Des Arts (109 Vine Street in downtown Lafayette) on January 22nd from 1 to 5 pm.  For more information, and/or to RSVP, e-mail AUI/AURA at actingunlimitedinc@gmail.com.

Theatre--Staged Reading

AUI/AURA will present the first workshop reading of Why We Fall,  a new play by local playwright, Cody Daigle.

After an attempt at suicide, 17-year old Lee Fielding and his mother, Maura, attempt to move forward. Matters are complicated as Lee develops a potentially dangerous friendship with Nela, a fellow classmate, and struggles to contain a truth about his teacher, Matt.  Why We Fall explores how we find ourselves at rock bottom and what we do to dig ourselves out.  Why We Fall will receive a staged reading by On The Square Productions, a Manhattan-based theatre company, in New York City in March. This workshop is part of the show's development process for the New York reading.

The reading will take place on Saturday, February 12th and Sunday, February 13th at 7:30 pm at Cite Des Arts in downtown Lafayette. Admission is free. A talkback will follow the performances.

Opera--Auditions

The UL Lafayette Opera Theater will hold auditions for its spring production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, The Mikado.  The auditions will take place in Angelle Hall (in the chorus room) on January 14th beginning at 3 pm.    Appropriate audition material would be any song by Gilbert and Sullivan, a light operatic aria, or a classic, lyric musical theatre piece.  Try to keep it comic if possible. 

Auditioners may also be asked to do a cold reading.

Rehearsals will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 8 pm with 4 performances from April 14th through the 16th in Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the UL Lafayette campus. 

The cast have 5 females and 5 males with a chorus.  The role of the Mikado is pre-cast.

Cast Breakdown:

The Mikado, bass

Nanki Poo,  tenor

Yum Yum, soprano

Koko, baritone (Patter role)

Katisha, mezzo or contralto

Poo Bah,  baritone or bass

Pish Tush, baritone or bass

Peep Bo,  soprano or mezzo

Pitti Sing,  mezzo

Contact Shawn Roy at 482-5939 or srr3023@louisiana.edu for more information about the auditions or performances.

The operetta is being accompanied by the UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. William Hochkeppel.  The show is being directed by Shawn Roy and choreographed by Kenneth Jenkins.  Sets are by Duncan Thistlethwaite and Lighting Design by Ken Harrelson.  Costumes are by Malabar Costume rental, Inc. 

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

AUI/AURA's newest productions, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and Cody Daigle's adaptation of Aristophanes' The Frogs, open Thursday, January 6th at 7:30 at Cite Des Arts in downtown Lafayette.  The shows will run through Sunday, January 9th.  For more information or to make ticket reservations, please call Cite at (337) 291-1122.  Tickets may also be purchased online at the Cite website here.

 Michael Mouton (Dionysus) and Erin Segura (Xanthius) in The Frogs

Joseph Diaz (Heracles) and Michael Mouton (Dionysus) in The Frogs 

 

 Shannon Kenast (Charon) in The Frogs

 The Frog Chorus from The Frogs

 The Mystic Chorus from The Frogs

Phillip Spear (Pluto) in The Frogs

 (from bottom left to right) Martha Diaz (the Maidservant), Morgan James (Plathane), Kelly Griffin (the Bistrokeeper) and Erin Segura (Xanthius) in The Frogs

 Erik Schneider (Billy) and Martha Diaz (Penny) in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible) and Kelly Griffin (Moist) in Dr. Horrible

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible) and Phillip Smith (Captain Hammer) in Dr. Horrible

 Erik Schneider (Dr. Horrible), Phillip Smith (Captain Hammer), Martha Diaz (Penny) and Morgan James (Fan Girl) in Dr. Horrible

Theatre--Auditions

The Opelousas Little Theatre is holding open auditions for William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on January 19th (from 6 to 8 pm), January 22nd (from 3 to 5 pm) and on January 29th (from 3 to 5 pm).  The auditions will be held at the Opelousas Little Theatre and performances will be at the Delta Grand Theatre starting April 6th.


They are looking for males and females 15 and up for 20 to 30 characters.  Auditioners should bring a prepared monologue (Shakespeare preferred but not required).

Theatre--Performance

The ball has dropped, the new year is here, and the 2011 season at Opelousas Little Theatre is underway.  Their first show of the season is always a Showcase.  Showcase is a variety show that OLT puts on to draw local talents from the community to let them present their specialties.   Another prupose is to call attention to the theatre and to promote the local arts and the talent of the townsfolk.  Also, it is a chance for the directors of the season to pursue cast members for the upcoming schedule of shows.  On the bill, there are actors, dancers, bellydancers, singers, and all are amazing talents with tons of heart and dedication. So, for lovers of good music, hard laughing and a little serious drama, this is a not to be missed chance to see the best that this community has to offer. 


Tickets are available at Sebastion Dupre Fine Jewelery (337-948-4367).  The show will run January 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th and 29th at 7 pm.  Sunday matinees will run January 23rd and 30th at 2 pm.  For more information feel free to contact Walter Duncan McBride at 337-543-8762. Performances will be held at the Opelousas Little Theatre in the South City Park.  

Theatre--Reading

Monday, January 10, 6:30pm Cité des Arts will host a reading/workshop for a new musical called In his Grace by Jane Billeaudeaux and John Richard.  This brand new musical based on the lives of some famous musicians/entertainers/preachers from Farraday, Louisiana, looks to be a very entertaining show that will be produced in Cité des Arts in October.  It should be very clear who the persons referenced are. 

Cite could use a bunch of enthusiastic readers/listeners to give us feedback on this script.

Theatre--Workshop

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Acting Unlimited, Inc. and its educational branch, Acting Unlimited Repertory Academy, the companies that brought you Bat Boy: The Musical and Speech and Debate, are pleased to present their winter double-feature, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and Aristophanes' The Frogs!

Dr. Horrible, written by Joss, Jed, and Zack Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, is the story of an aspiring supervillain, his arch-nemesis, and the activist who happens to be the girl of their dreams. AURA brings this surprisingly heartfelt tale of finding identity, purpose, and connection from the Internet onto the stage.

In Aristophanes' The Frogs, Dionysus, God of Wine and Drama, decides to end the conflict in his war-ravaged world. He takes a trip to the Underworld to bring back a great artist who will awaken the world to its senses. Along the way he and his slave Xanthias face challenges, choices and a maniacal chorus of Frogs. The question is asked: how do you save the world -- with the head or with the heart?

The shows will be performed together with an intermission at Cite Des Arts.

Tickets are $8, the performances are at the following times:

Thursday, January 6 at 7:30 PM
Friday, January 7 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 8 at 8 PM (with special ArtWalk pre-show!)
Sunday, January 9 at 3 PM

...the status is not quo.


For more information or to make reservations, call Cite at (337) 291-1122.  To purchase tickets online, visit the Cite Des Arts website.

Editor's Note

2011 is looking to be an exciting time for local theatre!  Help keep this blog current by sending me information about your productions--pictures, releases, whatever you have.  The more people who can be told about local theatre, the more people who come!  Let's support local theatre and one another!

Theatre--Master Class/Workshop

 Caroline McGee (see biographical information below)is coming home to Louisiana for another acting method acting workshop scheduled for December 29th through January 5, 2011at Cite des Arts in downtown Lafayette.  The workshop will focus on exercises, improvisations and scene and monologue work from the modern classics---Chekhov, Williams, Albee, Sam Shepard, Mamet and others.  

The class will be designed to suit all actors from beginning to advanced, and ages 7 through adult are welcome to apply.   When applying, please be sure to include availability during the days/evenings of the workshop. This winter session includes five workshop days for 3 hours each.

On a personal note, former Method Workshop member Savannah Des Ormeaux has been accepted into the NYU Tisch School of the Arts BFA acting program.  Congratulations to Savannah!

Bio:

Director Caroline McGee's recent production, "Revolting Women/Woman Bomb," for the United Solo International Festival, Theatre Row, NYC, won the Best Acting Award for Jelena Stupljanin's portrayal. Caroline's training includes: Yale Drama, Stella Adles, Wynn Handman, Bill Esper, Michael Howard, Robert Lewis, and the National Conservatory in France. She has served as Associate Professor/Director, Catholic U. MFA Acting Program, Director/Producer for NYU TischDrama/Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, the professional program at NYU’s Stonestreet Studio for Film & TV, and, currently teaches at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Art in Film & TV. She has produced and performed theatre extensively in the US and Europe, and appeared in films with/by Gregory Peck, Woody Allen, Gena Rowland and others. Her theatre reviews have appeared in Slavic & Eastern European Performance and Western European Stages.Since 1997, she has been a panelist for the New York State Council of the Arts, Individual Artists awards. Caroline is a member of all 3 actor unions, AEA, SAG and AFTRA.

Theatre

This is not technically about Acadiana theatre, but it is a very sad story about one of Louisiana's theatre institutions, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre having to cancel the rest of this season and lay off employees.  Local theatres need everyone's support--all local arts do.  Perhaps that can be one of the New Year's Resolutions that theatre lovers make for 2011.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) has announced the appointment of Shanna Higginbotham as its new executive director.

Higginbotham, a native of Lafayette, assumes the leadership role currently held by Jacqueline Lyle on January 3, 2011. Her professional experience includes over 18 years in various leadership roles with Cox Media, and most recently as the owner of Professional Consulting Partners.  As a consultant Shanna has focused on helping numerous companies in Louisiana and Texas markets identify problems, make recommendations and help with organizational development efforts. Her most recent appointment was as an internal consultant with Bizzuka, Inc.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to lead such a tremendous organization,” says Higginbotham.  “The tradition of PASA, and the many years of great performing arts in the community, is something I hold very dear.  My goal as executive director is to preserve what has been built by Jackie and her team, but to also begin to build a new and different organization that will continue to grow and solidify Lafayette’s reputation for its tremendous capacity for the arts.  I am so pleased and thankful that the board has allowed me this honor and look forward to serving the community for years to come.”

Higginbotham will be the second Executive Director in the organization’s history. Lyle, who is departing PASA to pursue personal interests, was a founding board member when the organization was founded in 1988.  In March 1989, she assumed the role of executive director and launched PASA’s first fundraising drive and its first season in July 1989.

 “Jackie has brought PASA from its earliest days as fledgling organization to the influential, respected organization that it is today.” says PASA Board President Don Johnson.  “Under her leadership, our community has enjoyed 22 years ofgreat performances.”

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana is a non-profit organization that presents live entertainment at the Heymann Performing Arts Center and other local venues, creates in-school arts activities, offers daytime performances for students and, initiates outreach programs such as the Hill Bonin Jr. Scholarship, PASA Stageside and Play It Again, Lafayette. PASA presents annual performances of opera, dance, drama and a variety of musical acts

 “Since my earliest memory, I have loved performing arts,” says Lyle. “I can’t imagine a better way that I could have spent the majority of my professional life.”

Opera--Auditions

The UL Lafayette Opera Theater will hold auditions for its spring production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, The Mikado.  The auditions will take place in Angelle Hall (room TBA) on January 14th beginning at 3 pm.    Appropriate audition material would be any song by Gilbert and Sullivan, a light operatic aria, or a classic, lyric musical theatre piece.  Try to keep it comic if possible. 

Auditioners may also be asked to do a cold reading.

 

Rehearsals will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 8 pm with 4 performances from April 14th through the 16th in Ducrest-Gilfry Auditorium in Angelle Hall on the UL Lafayette campus. 

 

The cast have 5 females and 5 males with a chorus.  The role of the Mikado is pre-cast.

 

Cast Breakdown:

 

The Mikado, bass

Nanki Poo,  tenor

Yum Yum, soprano

Koko, baritone (Patter role)

Katisha, mezzo or contralto

Poo Bah,  baritone or bass

Pish Tush, baritone or bass

Peep Bo,  soprano or mezzo

Pitti Sing,  mezzo

 

 

Contact Shawn Roy at 482-5939 or srr3023@louisiana.edu for more information about the auditions or performances.

 

The operetta is being accompanied by the UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. William Hochkeppel.  The show is being directed by Shawn Roy and choreographed by Kenneth Jenkins.  Sets are by Duncan Thistlethwaite and Lighting Design by Ken Harrelson.  Costumes are by Malabar Costume rental, Inc.