Two local theatre companies are casting their fall shows this week. Theatre Workshop of Owensboro will host callbacks for “Alice in Wonderland” and the Owensboro Theatre Alliance is holding auditions for “She Kills Monsters” on August 15 and 16.
Theatre Workshop of Owensboro
“Alice in Wonderland” auditions began Sunday night with over 60 children wanting a role. Theatre Workshop of Owensboro’s executive director Todd Reynolds said the first night of auditions is “usually the slow day,” so this turnout speaks to the developing theatre community in Owensboro.
“Owensboro has a great and viable community for the arts,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said that Owensboro has always been “ridiculously talented.” And that was true of the over 100 kids that showed up to audition by day two.
Damon Wallace, the production manager for TWO, is directing his first youth production. Callbacks will be later this week, and Wallace says that some actors he thought would be cast for certain roles, based on prior performances, he sees in different roles.
“They will surprise you,” Wallace said of the talented actors he has seen both nights.
This performance of “Alice in Wonderland” combines both books of the story, so it will be a unique production. Curtains open for the show on October 19 and 20.
Another opportunity TWO is offering actors ages 14-22 is a Youth Cabaret Workshop. Lauren Calhoun has spearheaded this workshop to get youth involved in the cabaret-style of show. It is theatre, but combines storytelling and is just not a performance for the singer. The purpose of cabaret is to connect with the audience and musical accompaniment.
Four master classes will be offered in this one-day workshop by local professionals involved in the theatre arts and is August 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Centre.
Owensboro Theatre Alliance
“She Kills Monsters” is the latest production being staged by a collaborative theatre company made up of the students and faculty at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro Community Technical College and Brescia University.
“OTA was the brain-child of Professor Nate Gross (KWC), Dr. Julie Ledford (OCTC) and myself,” said Dr. Amanda Dawson, Assistant Professor of Drama and Speech at Brescia University. “We began the project in fall 2017. The goal of OTA is to combine forces and resources to support our three smaller programs into a larger theatrical company.”
Dawson is staging this production and each professor brings individualized talent to the Alliance.
About 35 college students and a few community members were involved in “Grease,” the first production by TAO and performed four times at the RiverPark Center last March to sold out crowds.
Nate Gross, Kentucky Wesleyan College’s Director of Theatre said the reason these schools have merged is to “combine budgets, student resources, and professional expertise.”
Auditions are August 15 or 16 at 7 p.m. in Brescia University’s Little Theatre. Students do not need to prepare anything in advance. The show will be September 20, 22 and 23.
