Changing of the Guard

Quick newsflash from "Darkside". Our illustrious stage manager, Sara, will be stepping down to become Assistant Stage Manager. Sara has worked with me on several production, notably serving as my first stage manager for a one-act I wrote and directed a couple of years ago.

She is, happily, preparing for her new role as a mother and due to the demands of this much larger production, she has asked for this reassignment.

Sue, the assistant "to the" director, will be taking on some of Sara's responsibilities at rehearsal as will our Rehearsal Assistant, Lisa. The crew is top-notch and this little shift will not slow us down one bit.

Thanks for Sara for your help thus far and we look forward to meeting the newest Curtain Player when he/she arrives!

The Cast of DARKSIDE

And just like that, the cast came together. Sunday and Monday were rough, probably more so on the actors than on the casting committee, but it wasn't easy on anyone. Hours of readings, making cuts, pairing people down, moving actors around, trying to find those moments where everything just clicks. And we did.

To those who auditioned, but were not cast, I'll say it again: THANK YOU! The committee appreciated everybody's hard work and we know a lot of very talented people went home empty-handed that night. The decision was tough, on who to keep and who to let go. Now I know what a jury deliberation feels like.

In the end, seven actors remained. And they will spend the next seven or so odd weeks preparing, rehearsing, memorizing, and creating --- and I'll be there making sure to push them, inspire them, support them, and if I have to, give them a swift kick every now and then.

We're gonna have fun.

Without any futher ado, your cast:

Randy Benge as CAPCOM
Michael Parsons as Bill Griffin
Mark Schuliger as Gunner Smith
Trygve Hoff as Ed Stone
Marla Williams as Gigi Stone
JoLayne Morneau as Beth Griffin
Doug Browell as Bob Hughes, the Reporter

I'll I'm thrilled to be working with each and every one of them. I'll tell you more about them as we get into rehearsals and eventually they'll start posting their adventures as well. So keep checking back as we --- and this pun is completely intentional --- countdown to opening night.

AUDITIONS, PART II

One night down. Sunday night brought us a fun evening -- fun for the casting committee. We're pretty sure the actors were nervous, but we also hope they had fun.

In case you weren't able to attend, we still have ONE MORE AUDITION NIGHT for "Darkside. For more info, please read below of visit www.curtainplayers.com.

Auditions for DARKSIDE by Ken Jones
Directed by Jeremy Sony

Monday, January 8 at 7:00pm

Available Roles for 5 men 2 women, plus two non-speaking men's roles.
Auditions will consist of readings from the script.

MEN (speaking roles):

Bill Griffin: 30s-40s, the All-American Astronaut -- command module pilot.
Gunner Smith: 40s-50s, the Veteran Commander.
Ed Stone: 20s-30s, the Hotshot NASA fly boy.
CAPCOM: 30s-60s, Mission Control in Houston.
Bob Hughes (Reporter): 20s-60s, the pressing television reporter.

WOMEN:

Beth Griffin: 30s-40s, the picture perfect NASA wife and mother.
Gigi Stone: 20s-30s, the bored and lonely NASA wife.

MEN (Non-speaking roles)
NASA Techs/Camera Men: 2 non-speaking roles; will serve as NASA techs and
as camera men for the Reporter.

DARKSIDE centers around American astronaut Bill Griffin as he orbits the moon, while his crew mates, Ed and Gunner, sit in their lunar module, potentially stranded after a routine launch misfires. Each time Bill orbits around to the darkside of the moon, we flash back to the weeks and months prior to the launch and see the surprising events leading up to this mission. As Bill begins to lose touch with reality in trying to come to terms with his own past and mistakes, NASA works with Ed and Gunner, racing against the clock, to save them all.


*****Auditions are held at the theater (5691 Harlem Rd, Galena, OH).*****

Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out an audition form and
conflict calendar. Resumes and headshots are appreciated, but not
required.

AUDITIONS TONIGHT!

Well, it's finally here. Tonight is the first night of auditions for "Darkside" at Curtain Players. Over the past several months, we've been prepping and readying the set design, the costume plot, the sound and lights, and now it's time to add the final ingedient to any show -- the cast.

For now, I'll just post the audition notice; and once we have everyone in place, you'll be introduced to the cast that's going to spend the next eight weeks on "Darkside".

Auditions for DARKSIDE by Ken Jones
Directed by Jeremy Sony

Sunday, January 7 at 7:00pm
Monday, January 8 at 7:00pm

Available Roles for 5 men 2 women, plus two non-speaking men's roles.
Auditions will consist of readings from the script.

MEN (speaking roles):

Bill Griffin: 30s-40s, the All-American Astronaut -- command module pilot.
Gunner Smith: 40s-50s, the Veteran Commander.
Ed Stone: 20s-30s, the Hotshot NASA fly boy.
CAPCOM: 30s-60s, Mission Control in Houston.
Bob Hughes (Reporter): 20s-60s, the pressing television reporter.

WOMEN:

Beth Griffin: 30s-40s, the picture perfect NASA wife and mother.
Gigi Stone: 20s-30s, the bored and lonely NASA wife.

MEN (Non-speaking roles)
NASA Techs/Camera Men: 2 non-speaking roles; will serve as NASA techs and
as camera men for the Reporter.

DARKSIDE centers around American astronaut Bill Griffin as he orbits the moon, while his crew mates, Ed and Gunner, sit in their lunar module, potentially stranded after a routine launch misfires. Each time Bill orbits around to the darkside of the moon, we flash back to the weeks and months prior to the launch and see the surprising events leading up to this mission. As Bill begins to lose touch with reality in trying to come to terms with his own past and mistakes, NASA works with Ed and Gunner, racing against the clock, to save them all.


*****Auditions are held at the theater (5691 Harlem Rd, Galena, OH).*****

Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out an audition form and
conflict calendar. Resumes and headshots are appreciated, but not
required.