Auditions for the Bluegrass Children’s Theatre’s “Arabian Nights” are May 18 at Century Christian Church. The production will tour from June to August.
BCT’s motto is theatre BY kids FOR kids, so for executive director Grae Greer, the staging of “Arabian Nights” as the first production with three females under the age of 14 filling the roles of assistant director, choreographer and costume designer was a challenge she wanted the theatre company to experience.
“All three members of the production team are hardworking, passionate young women. Lauren Wallace [as assistant director, Dylan McCollam [choreographer] and Peyton Smith [Costume Designer] have all grown immensely over the months during their time with private lessons,” Greer said. “I knew it was time to put their talents into creative leadership positions.”
The production of “Arabian Nights” is unlike others produced by BCT in the past. Audience members will sit in a large circle with the cast joining them.
“Inside the circle, the tales will be told and the magic will come to life as the actor playing Shahrazad opens her story book,” Greer said. “Audience members are encouraged to join the cast onstage to act out popular tales such as Aladdin and Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves and unfamiliar stories such as The Old Man & Treasure, and Abu Hassan and His Great Fart.
“Bluegrass children’s theatre is one of my favorite places to be and it’s starting to feel like home,” Wallace said. “I’m so excited to be a part of something this important! I can’t wait to direct Arabian Nights and possibly many more!”
Actors ages 6-11 will audition from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Actors ages 12-18 will be from 1 to 2:45 p.m. Actors are asked to bring a list of date conflicts in May, June and July, a pencil, and water. They are also asked to wear comfortable clothing.
BCT is also hosting a summer arts camp from June 10 to 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Century Christian Church.
Children between the ages of 4 and 18 will be introduced to stage fighting, how to create cuts & bruises with makeup, creating puppets from coffee cups, how to create a story with only words out of a hat, and many other arts activities.
At the end of the week, campers will have a showcase and a performance for the parents.
“BCT has been fortunate to have a line up of experienced teaching artists for the week,” Greer said. “Each teaching artist understands the need for children’s theatre in Owensboro.”
Teaching artist Helen Merritt said that what drew her to work with BCT was the opportunity to help children in the area begin and grow their love of theatre.
BCT will celebrate their first year in July and Greer said it’s growing faster than she ever imagined.
“We have a 5 show season coming up that includes a middle school production, a family musical, a fully differently cast production, an educational tour and a ‘choose your own adventure’ play,” Greer said.
Cost for the camp is $75 per actor, and scholarships are available.
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