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Fall production auditions soon


Have you ever dreamed of being a fairy queen? Or perhaps a mischievous nymph? Or maybe a young lover?

Well then, you’re in luck.

For its fall production, Vanguard Theatre will be doing a production of the Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. If you would like to have a try at being Titania or maybe Puck, then head to the Harriet Fulton Theatre in the Fine Arts Building on Monday, Sept. 12 and Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Depending on the number of people who audtion, there may be a need to do call backs , which would probably be on Wednesday or Thursday night. The cast list will be posted no later than Friday, Sept. 16.

Ken Zimmerman, director of Vanguard Theatre, has announced that the production will have at least 21 people in the cast, maybe more. “Auditions are open to anyone on campus who is interested in performing and willing to make a serious time commitment during the rehearsal period,” Zimmerman said. “No experience is necessary. We want to accomodate as many students as we can.” The only requirement for the audition is the presentation of a prepared monologue from the play. Copies of some monologues are available in the Fine Arts Building, or you may prepare one of your own.

“I’m looking for enthusasim, commitment and an ability to handle the language,” says Zimmerman. “In many ways this is a physically demanding play, so I’ll also be looking for folks who can move well.” For those of you who never read the story, or saw the movie starring Calista Flockhart, here’s a quick review. The story is set in ancient Athens and involves two sets of young lovers: Helena, Lysander, Demetrius and Hermia. While at a wedding, the four run out into the forest, not knowing what awaits.

Deep in the forest, the fairy rulers Oberon and Titania are having a minor spat over a servant boy. Oberon devises a plan that will make the queen forget about their argument and take him back. He sends his mischievous servant Puck to find a flower that, when its juices are placed upon the eyes of a sleeping person, will cause that person to fall in love with the first thing they see.

While scouting for the flower, Oberon spots the mortals wandering in the forest. When he sees the plight of Helena, whose love for Demetrius goes unreturned, he sends out Puck to put the special potion into the eyes of the sleeping Demetrius so that he will return Helena’s love. But Puck makes the mistake of placing the potion on Lysander’s eyes. When Lysander wakes, he immediately falls in love with Helena, leaving his own beloved Hermia at a loss.

In the meantime, Bottom the Weaver, along with a group of men, are preparing a play to perform at a royal wedding. When he wonders into the woods, Puck turns him into an ass. Unfortunately, Bottom is close to the sleeping queen. When she awakes, he is the first thing she sees. The stage is set, and comedy ensues!

“It’s been several years since we’ve produced a Shakespeare play, and no one should graduate from college without having seen at least one, “says Zimmerman.

The performance dates of the play are Nov. 10-13. Vanguard Theatre will also perform two matinees for the public schools in the area.