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Dickens Christmas Fair 2008 October Missive #1

(sent October 16th, 2008)

Lots of auditions and a request from Kevin. Please remember to respond to the person that posted each item, rather than hitting "reply".  Please remember that past missives (including workshop dates) can be found at http://www.cattaylor.com/missives.html. Workshop schedule and updated book character list will be out soon.


In This Missive:
30th Anniversary Commemorative Color Album
"A Christmas Carol," Needs a Bob Cratchit!!!!!
Siamsa le Cheile Auditions at Workshops
Robert-Houdin Illusion Show Seeks Musicians
Pirates of Penzance Needs Pirates!
Alice in Wonderland is Auditioning
The Nimble Light Toy Parade Needs You!
Adventure, History, Literature!
Brass Farthing is Looking for You!
CanCan Bijou Auditions
Naughty French Postcards Auditions
Deco Folks Need Fabric Bits


30th Anniversary Commemorative Color Album
As you may recall from previous missives, we are producing a 30th Anniversary Commemorative Color Album. The Color Album will include articles, photos and nostalgia from 30 years of Dickens.

Your participation is very important.  We need your help AND we want to include you and everyone who currently does Dickens on our Years of Participation Page.

Please help us with these three things:
1) Please take a 2 minute survey so we know how long you have participated, etc.: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=t1ddMk19gv5QDuREc2JyAw_3d_3d
2) We still need photos (especially of YOU at the Fair photo parlor - any year).  Please scan and email (and tell us the year of the photo if possible.
3) Email me if you are interested in helping to write or do research into Victorian life.

Thanks!
Kevin Patterson
kevin@redbarnproductions.org  


"A Christmas Carol," Needs a Bob Cratchit!!!!!
What would your favorite Christmas story be without the most loveable yet sorrowful Over worked family man ever?
Bob Cratchit is an integral part of the story and frankly would make it very difficult to do without. So, men line up for a ready made family, with HOT (but taken in reality) wife and unbelievably amusing children (That you can give back when done). Exact audition times will be announced in a forthcoming missive, but if interested, please contact director Anastasia Elizondo at lilmonkee@hotmail.com


Siamsa le Cheile Auditions at Workshops
Anyone in interested in joining Siamsa le Cheile can meet with us right after Saturday morning meeting to arrange a specific time. We will primarily be auditioning during lunch of the first 2 days of workshops.  Requirements: familiarity with and love of traditional Scottish and/or Irish music and dance forms and culture, willingness & dedication  to learn what you don't already know, strong team-player spirit and flexibility/sense of humor to perform with precision and grace under pressure. For more information, see our website: http://siamsa.net.


Robert-Houdin Illusion Show Seeks Musicians
Seeking ethereal/classical musicians for Robert-Houdin Illusion show, twice daily at the V&A.  Violin, Oboe, Sitar, percussion and/or suggestions for background accompanyment to various illusions.  Contact J. Paul at jpaulmoore@msn.com.


Pirates of Penzance Needs Pirates!
Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance will be performed twice a day at the V&A. We're short just a couple of Pirates, and will be auditioning before an upcoming rehearsal, exact date and time to be announced.  For the audition, please prepare one verse of a song, which displays your range, projection, diction, and ability to sing on pitch. It can be from G&S (strongly preferred) or something similar, or even your favorite national anthem -- anything simple and straight forward which will give us a chance to compare your voice with others we hear.  Please bring sheet music for your pieces. You may also be asked to read some dialogue from Pirates. Please contact Cat Taylor at cat@redbarnproductions.org to schedule an audition.


Alice in Wonderland is Auditioning
Alice in Wonderland is Auditioning for the following parts first weekend of classes. March Hare, Mad Hatter, Caterpillar, Queen of Hearts,White Rabbit.  We are also bringing back the Fairies and Goblins this year. If you have a little one who is looking for a gig please contact me at lilmspixie@yahoo.com.  Our cast welcomes new performers and performers with difficult schedules. Anyone who is interested should contact Robyn Agpalo at lilmspixie@yahoo.com


The Nimble Light Toy Parade Needs You!
The Nimble Light Toy Parade is looking for performers, acrobats, dancers, singers and instrumentalists to spend a half hour of their day coming out to play with us in our parade at the hour of twelve!. All musicians are welcome and in particular we are looking for a few rhythm instrumentalists, such as mandolins or guitars to carry the chords for our song, while our singers carry the melody. Costumes are provided, new ones are welcomed and many can just be worn over your Dicken's Faire costume. We have lots of furry ears and mitts. The kids love us and the more the merrier. Most of us also participate in the Father Christmas parade but it isn't mandatory to do both. Please contact me directly at stasha@gothik.net with Toy Parade in the subject line if you are at all interested. Thanks and remember "Don't forget to pick up your toys!"


Adventure, History, Literature!
The Adventurers' Club is looking for more Historical Adventurers & Explorers, more Victorian Authors & Artists, more Military and, of course, more Scientists!

If you are interested contact:
Steve George
President - Adventurers' Club
sgeorge1701@gmail.com
510.409.5564


Brass Farthing is Looking for You!
(from George Chlentzos)
Gentlemen, for those of you yearning to sing, drink beer, and enjoy the company of witty (and immodest) men, salvation is at hand! Brass Farthing, a singing, drinking, and general carousing company, is auditioning for all 4 vocal parts in an all-male singing ensemble.

Join members of Hard Tymes and Poxy Boggards in bringing this music to the Bay Area! At venues such as the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Steam Con, the recent ObamaRama, and many others we bring cheer to diverse audiences and always have a great time. We are currently in rehearsals for this Holiday Season at the Dickens Christmas Faire. All you really NEED to be able to do is sing, we'll be glad to take care of your share of the drinking and entertaining. If you can play an instrument, are loud, or can play well with others, you're ahead of the pack!

Auditions will be held evenings this week and next by prior appointment. For more details contact George at CuriousGeorge@SmartestMonkey.com


CanCan Bijou Auditions
Le Cancan Bijou will be auditioning dancers for the upcoming Dickens Fair season next Friday, October 24th from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in San Francisco at a studio to be announced.

Our rehearsals take place in San Francisco or the East Bay during the months of October and November, during the week and on Dickens Fair workshop weekends.  Our tentative rehearsal schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 19
Wednesday, November 26

and one day of each Dickens Fair workshop weekend in November for several hours, if needed.

If accepted into the dance troupe you will be required to make your own costume (or have one made for you)  according to our troupe's guidelines, as well as acquiring Capezio cancan boots.  There will be a small amount of pay at the end of the fair, depending upon our expenses, to help defray costs.  Lunch during the run will be provided.

Dickens Fair runs for four weekends starting after Thanksgiving.  Please see www.dickensfair.com

Please email me at moniquewoodruff@yahoo.com and let me know if you plan on attending the audition, as well as a brief description of your dance training and performance experience.

Thank you,
Monique Ivan Woodruff
Director, Le Cancan Bijou


Naughty French Postcards Auditions
Returning to the V&A for a fourth year, the scandalous and highly entertaining Naughty French Postcards is looking for a few fresh faces to join our popular cast.  Open auditions will be held on the first day of workshops.   

Daring ladies and gents, brave lads and lasses - you are invited to try out for this comedic romp through Victorian fantasies, which has consistently offered performers exposure to large and appreciative audiences.  Remember - this is a show for which audience and participants alike must be 18 or older, no exceptions.   Any questions?  Contact the Directrix, Diana Young-Peak (dgbyoung@aol.com)   


Deco Folks Need Fabric Bits
Mrs Claus needs some fabric to create large over-sized Victorian bows.  We need fabric that looks Victorian: red velvet, plaids, tapestry or crepe in reds, green, blue or browns.  Also wire to sew into the fabric or regular Christmas ribbon that I can sew together to make my bows and Roses. We want to add the finishing touches to the show that will tie it all together to enhance the real look of a Victorian Christmas.  Please bring it to the Cow Palace after we start building, or call me.  I am in Rohnert Park and have no car most of the time, but can work it out. Blue Davis 501-581-6092 cell 707 585 2646

Any donations Will be appreciated. Thank you Have a Happy Christmas!!




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