Bunburying...

Casting is complete!

Always my favorite part of the directing job--- the uncertainty, the excitement, the possibilities.  As a director, you never really know who will show up for an open audition.  Will you have enough to cast?  Will you have the talent to have a balanced cast?  Will anyone show up?  Or, do you call on all your theatrical contacts and ask them to remain prepared to take a role?

Luckily, I have always had more than enough talent to cast a show and find a proportioned cast to create an even performance.  Once again, this was true.  Though I warned my 'stock' actors that they may receive a call, I did not have to appeal for their talents.  The audition gave me a variety of actors who embraced certain characters immediately, clearly showing me the conceptual opportunities I was looking for.  This made the decision very easy.   I am thrilled and excited to have such a talented and versatile cast on board for this show! Everyone has accepted their roles and I am anxious to get underway.  Our cast is from all over the southwest Ohio area:  Brookville, Downtown Dayton, Kettering, Springfield, Milford Center, Englewood, and Clayton.  

So now begins the paperwork creation, dramaturgy preparations, script work and dialect development.  This show is always fun to develop and play, so we are all anxious to get started.  

Rehearsals begin next week.  So without further ado... welcome to the cast

CAST -- The Importance of Being Earnest

Jack Worthing, JP - Andrew Briner

Algernon Moncrief - Hunter Laycox

Rev. Canon Chasuble, DD - Kevin O'Boyle

Lane/ Merriman 2/ Male US -  Casey Dillon

Merriman 1/ Female US - Rebecca Henry

Lady Bracknell - Patti King

Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax - Rachel Smith

Cecily Cardew - Katrina Pontius

Miss Prism - Susan Robert

Director -  Lisa Howard-Welch

Assistant Director -  Juliet Howard-Welch

Stage Manager -  Austin Smith
Lighting Designer -  Casey Dillon

I will be posting regularly, with photos, rehearsal journey tidbits and lots of other fun discoveries along the way.

Until the next time...

Cake... or Bread and Butter...

“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” 

And, so begins another creative journey.  This time to 1890's London and Hertfordshire, as we undertake one of my favorite plays, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.    Having directed this previously, I will strive to create a fresher, newer view on the play.  We will remain fairly traditional in sensibilities, setting and themes, while applying a few more modern ideals and twists.  

This delightful little excursion will culminate with production June 26th through July 6th, 2014 at Brookville Community Theatre.

During the rehearsal process, we will travel through many of the styles and themes in the text; delve into the lifestyle of the period; and (hopefully) turn this into a delectable treat to be savoured.  

Want to be a part of this journey?  Want more information?  Visit the the facebook event page or e-mail the director, Lisa Howard-Welch to ask questions, or request an audition packet.  

AUDITIONS:  May 7th and 8th at Brookville Community Theatre.  7pm.

• Auditions will include reading from the script and improvisation. 
• Those auditioning are asked to bring a resume (or experience list), photo (if possible), and a list of all potential rehearsal conflicts from May 7th to July 6th, 2014.
• British dialects WILL be used in this show and training WILL be provided.

REHEARSALS:  Rehearsals and Tablework will begin on Tuesday, May 13th.  

• We are currently looking at a Tuesday & Wednesday, with occasional Thursday and Saturday rehearsals, but this may change based on actor availability.  
• Tech and Production weeks, will likely run Monday to Thursday and Saturday, if required.  
• The formal rehearsal schedule will be created around all actor conflicts given at auditions, and not all actors will be called to all rehearsals.  
• If you have conflicts, don't count yourself out... we will try to work with predefined conflicts, if at all possible.  

I will strive to post regularly with photos and updates on the process, so stay on board!