Dickens
Christmas Fair Missive
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Dickens
Christmas Fair 2009 September Missive #4
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Notes from your Missive Maven:
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A
number of audition notices today, including the list of Dickens
characters available for audition (with the exception of the
available
characters from "A Christmas Carol", which will be included
later).
Please remember to contact the folks referenced in each notice, rather
than hitting "reply". Thanks.
Past missives can be viewed at http://www.cattaylor.com/missives.html
Cat Taylor
Entertainment Director and Missive Maven
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| In
This Missive |
| Cancan Auditions |
| Free Distressing Workshop |
| Dickens Character Auditions
October 8th |
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Cancan
Auditions
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Auditions to join our fabulous high-kicking ladies on Mad Sal's stage
at the
Great Dickens Christmas Fair are coming up!
Have you always wanted to be a Cancan dancer? Or at least since you
started
reading this missive? Come
audition for us!
What Le
Cancan Bijou needs from you:
*Available
Wednesdays 7-10 pm for the next 6 weeks, and weekends
November-Christmas.
*Can do the splits (or very close) and kick to shoulder height.
*18+ only. Absolutely no exceptions.
*Prior dance experience
*Available for occasional gigs throughout the year
*Must provide own costume according to our strict guidelines, including
professional Capezio cancan boots.
Audition
date is Wednesday, October 7th, 7-10pm, in El Cerrito.
Please email CancanBijou@gmail.com
for additional info.
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| Free Distressing Workshop
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If you have been wanting to make your costume's look like you
really are one of the scum of London, or just a bit worn about the
edges, you
may want to take Tara's workshop. For those of you not familiar with
Tara's
resume she is the author of "The Costumer's Manifesto" THE website
for all things costume.
Liz
From: "Tara Maginnis"
<thecostumersmanifesto@yahoo.com>
[GBACGCostumers] Free Distressing
Workshop, and Workcall: Saturday October 3rd
Free Distressing Workshop, and Workcall: Saturday October 3rd 2009 I
will be
distressing the costumes for DVC's upcoming musical, Urinetown.
Costumers who
wish to learn distressing skills can come at 11am to the DVC Performing
Arts
Center (in Pleasant Hill, CA) scene shop loading dock & drama
picnic area
area and get instruction in both permanent and reversible distressing
skills
and tools.
Students are encouraged to stay after the workshop and help us
distress the costumes for the show. Wear painting clothes and if
possible bring
heavy work gloves. Go to http://distressingcostumes.com
and click on "Events" to get links with directions to DVC, and a Map
of Campus. The site also has other useful info on distressing. We will
be
located at the back loading dock of the PAC (Performing Arts Center).
Please note we at DVC are happy to accept any
donations of used spray bottles.
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| Dickens Character
Auditions October 8th
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(Please
note that the available characters from "A Christmas Carol" are not
included here, they will be included in a forthcoming missive)
The
book character groups are ensemble casts that pride themselves on
showcasing
the vast panoply of Dickens' brilliantly wrought characters. We put the
Dickens
in Dickens Fair! Dickens' characters are big, bold and quirky
with a lot
of theatrical and interactive opportunities, plus tons of scenery to
chew.
Audience interaction is our raison d'etre and our lives are one big
theatrical
and improvisational banquet throughout the day.
We are looking for energy, commitment, fearlessness and
willingness to be
part of an ensemble. We are interested in casting a wide variety of
characters,
ranging across all ages, classes and emotional quirks. We encourage
interested
parties to read one of the books, or at least view one of the superb
adaptations currently available to get a clearer picture of these
characters. A list of characters we are specifically looking for
will be
included in the next Missive, but if there is a Dickens character that
you are
interested in bringing to life, let us know. Even if that role is
already
cast your preference will help us - and you - find a similar
character.
If there is a character in our list of available characters, a
role in a
Dickens book or adaptation that you want to play (or simply find
appealing)
prepare a brief piece to read - and act - for the audition
team. It will give us a clearer idea of your capabilities and the
type of
character you want to play.
While we are
specifically looking for the following characters, we are willing to
consider
casting other characters, and other books.
If there is a character in a Dickens book or adaptation that you want
to
play, or simply find appealing, prepare a brief piece to read, and act,
for the
audition team. It will give us a clearer
idea of your capabilities and the type of character you want to play.
Oliver Twist
Dodger:
Dodger is a plucky young man with very light fingers. He is the
older brother that Oliver Twist
wished he never had, and Fagin's protoge.
This is a scene and audience heavy role, that requires a lot of in the
streets action - with great glory comes great responsibility!
Bet: Bet is
Nancy's best friend, a minor but important role in the Twist
Saga. There's a lot of free time during the day, so
this role really needs a self starter - it's a great opportunity for
gigging in
the streets and playing with customers!
Nicholas
Nickleby:
Smike -
Nicholas' companion, a somewhat slow young man who has had a hard life
yet
remains cheerful and resolute
Newman Noggs
- a kindhearted older man who is down on his luck but was once a
gentleman. Utterly devoted to the
Nickelbys
Ralph
Nickleby - a hard cruel man of business
David
Copperfield:
Uriah Heep -
oily, unctuous villain
Dan Peggoty
- rough, gruff, salt-of-the-earth friend to David
Great
Expectations:
Herbert
Pocket - Pip's cheery friend and roommate.
Abel Magwich
- Ex-felon. Pip's secret benefactor.
Molly - The
extremely reserved, mysterious and slightly unnerving servant to Mr.
Jaggers
(she has a secret)
Little
Dorritt:
Arthur
Clennam - Long-suffering, poetically morose gentleman (Mrs. Finching's
former
fiance).
Daniel Doyce
- Indefatigable inventor and entrepreneur, the "Spirit of the Age"
made manifest
Mr & Mrs
Meagles - a kind and comfortably settled older couple with a taste for
traveling (can be cast separately rather than a set)
Pet Meagles
- their adored and slightly spoiled daughter (young woman)
Tattycoram -
companion to Pet Meagles, a conflicted young woman
Mis Wade - a
mysterious, secretive and harsh woman
Martin
Chuzzlewitt (only casting English, NOT American):
Mercy
"Merry" Pecksniff - The younger Miss Pecksniff, lively to the point
of pertness, the "pretty one"
Charity
"Cherry" Pecksniff - The
elder Miss Pecksniff, very proper on the surface, the "smart one"
Martin
Chuzzlewit (the elder) - Rich and cantankerous old gentleman.
Mary - The elder Mr. Chuzzlewitt's companion and
nurse, poor but proud, restrained and
sensible
Martin
Chuzzlewit (the younger) - A vain,
strong-willed, egotistical and ambitious young man, the elder Martin's
contentious nephew
Mark Tapley
- Relentlessly upbeat companion to young Martin
Tom Pinch -
Martin's preternaturally cheery and optimistic (to the point of
delusion!)
friend, and dogsbody to the Pecksniffs
Mrs. Todger
- Very proper, very nervous, very Dickensian landlady.
Auditioning
for a Dickens character is like any other theatrical audition - it is
best to
come prepared. When considering
auditioning for any of these roles, please take the time to do some
research on
the character to determine both that it is a role that you would be
able to
play and something you would enjoy doing.
Being prepared also makes it easier for you to show yourself at your
best and will make the process move more smoothly for all
parties.
Participation
in the Dickens Fair book character cast requires the ability to make
the time
and energy commitment, and the willingness to work in an ensemble
cast. If you are cast, it is expected that your
commitment to the cast will be your primary performing
responsibility. You will be expected to provide your own,
Dickens approvable, costume.
Be aware
that participating in the audition process does not guarantee you a
part. However, there are several other ways to
participate in Dickens, including other acting ensembles and
performance
groups, Christmas Keepers or being a part of the front gate troupe.
Character
auditions will be held Thursday October 8th starting at 7:00PM
at a private
home in San Francisco, you will be given the address when you sign up
for a
time for your auditions. The location is easily accessible by public
transportation and there are no pets for those of you with allergies.
No
smoking, please.
The
character parts listed above are open as of now, if you played one of
them last
year and would like to do so again, please contact your director.
If you would
like to audition for one of these roles, please email Robert Young at robert@redbarnproductions.org
with the following information:
1. Your full
name, email address and phone number
2. The
character(s) you would like to audition for. (Please prepare a bit of
the
dialogue for that character - see web resources above - and be prepared
to improvise
as that character.)
3. Your
first, second and third choice of audition time on Thursday, October
8th. The
auditions will be scheduled at 15 minute intervals, please be patient
as we
sometimes get a bit behind when auditioning promising actors.
4. Optional:
A brief note of any experience you would like us to know about. We will
have
applications and accept resumes (not required) at the auditions.
Here's a
great page to learn more about the characters and the books:
http://www.fidnet.com/%7Edap1955/dickens/works.html
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| Contact Information
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For specific questions
regarding performing at the Fair or to submit a show proposal please
email Cat
Taylor
If your group would like to perform at the Fair for just one day
(school
caroling groups, etc., please email Robert
Young
For specific questions regarding vending at the Fair please email Vendors
For specific questions the beverage department please email Beverage
To learn what you can do to help save the Cow Palace, please visit
http://www.savethecowpalace.com
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