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Manhattan-based Casting Director & Private Coach Offer Actors Workshop in Perfecting Audition Skills
November 17, 2009 (ITHACA, NY) –The Hangar Theatre is offering a weekend-long intensive workshop entitled Get the Acting Job: Build Your Audition Skills on December 5 and 6 at the Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College. The workshop, will teach effective strategies to help prepare for professional auditions that get results. Advanced teen through adult actors specializing in drama and/or musical theatre, looking to launch, or improve, their professional acting careers are invited to participate. Workshop participants will make important connections with two instructors and power-houses in the New York Theatre scene—Broadway and television casting director, Stephanie Yankwitt and Hangar Theatre Artistic Director and private coach, Peter Flynn.
Yankwitt and Flynn will provide guidance in choosing the right audition material to target desired roles, how to work with casting directors and agents, as well as how to market and present themselves as a professional working actor. Participants should come prepared with a monologue and song. The workshop concludes with an audition for Yankwitt and Flynn, both currently casting projects locally and in New York City.
About the Instructors:
As a Casting Director, Stephanie Yankwitt’s credits include Then She Found Me, Across The Universe, Dan In Real Life,and RENT. Previously she has worked with Telsey + Company casting for Broadway productions and feature films. Currently she is a casting associate at MelCap Casting as well as Professor of Theatre at New York University.
Peter Flynn is the Artistic Director of the Hangar Theatre as well as an award-winning Manhattan-based director. His credits include directing the Broadway concerts of Funny Girl with Whoopi Goldberg and Idina Menzel, and Chess with Josh Groban & Julia Murney, as well as creating three nationally-acclaimed musicals for TheatreworksUSA. He has taught similar classes at both New York University and Yale University.
For a registration fee of $250, students receive high-quality, individualized coaching in developing their audition skills—an important career investment. To register and for more information, please call the Hangar Theatre Business Office at (607) 273-8588, email artistic@hangartheatre.org or click here to download a registration form.
The Hangar Theatre is a nationally respected professional theatre deeply rooted in the community that reaches people of all ages through a breadth of productions and education programs. In June 2008 A Hangar for All Seasons capital campaign to raise $4.6 million for renovation and endowment was launched. The capital project will result in a premier theatre facility planned to open in summer, 2010. The Hangar for All Seasons will provide a year-round home for the theatre’s renowned education program and an extended production season.
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Public Performance of "Free To Be...You and Me"
December 9, 2009 (ITHACA, NY) – The Hangar Theatre’s musical for young people Free To Be…You And Me is on the road, performing at many schools across the Finger Lakes region this December. For children who don’t get to see the show at their school, there will be two public performances on Saturday, December 19 at 10am and 2pm at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in Ithaca.
Children young and old will laugh at and learn from the musical retelling of the legendary book by Marlo Thomas. In William’s attic a world comes to life from a heaping spoon of imagination and a treasure chest of costumes and toys. As the friends play and act out stories they learn important lessons like, you can’t judge a book by its cover and, with imagination and persistence, you can become whatever you want to be.
The tuneful music that has captured the hearts of generations has been given a fresh sound by the music director Mark Fifer. Some of the well-known songs include: "It's All Right to Cry," the title track by the New Seekers, “When We Grow Up,” by Diana Ross, and so much more. These songs teach children to celebrate diversity and their own individuality.
Tickets for the December 19 public performances are $5 for adults and children and can be purchased at the door prior to the performance. Beverly J. Martin Elementary School is located at 302 West Buffalo St., Ithaca. The musical is appropriate for children in grades K-5 and the show is 45 minutes long.
The School Tour is directed by Jesse Bush, Associate Artistic Director at the Hangar Theatre, and performed by professional actors from New York City and throughout the country. The School Tour is sponsored by BorgWarner Morse Tec; the Hangar’s 2009 Partners in Education are Cornell University, Target, and Yellowbook USA. The School Tour will be coming to the following schools in December: Newfield Elementary, RC Buckley, Northeast Elementary, Appleby Elementary School, South Seneca Elementary, Enfield Elementary, Caroline Elementary, Smith School, Trumansburg Elementary School, Canaserega Central School, and Homer Elementary and Intermediate Schools. For more information or to book a school tour production, please call (607) 273-8588 or click here.
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Hangar Theatre Announces its 2010 Mainstage Musical and Non-Musical Auditions
Local Auditions:
Local Equity Performer Auditions will be held from 10:00AM-6:00PM on January 18th at Dillingham Studio 3 in Ithaca College. Please be aware this is a dance studio, so wear comfortable shoes.
Please prepare a brief monologue or a brief song or a one-minute monologue and 32 bars.
Open call auditions will be held for non-Equity performers at 9:30AM on January 23rd at Boynton Middle School. Call backs to be held the following day.
Please prepare a brief monologue or a brief song or a one-minute monologue and 32 bars.
NYC Auditions:
Equity Chorus Call for Man of La Mancha will be held in NYC on January 20th at Actor’s Equity, 165 West 46th Street. Singer’s call will be held at 10:00AM. Dancer’s call will be held at 2:00PM.
Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song
Equity Principal Auditions will be held in NYC on January 21st from 10:00AM-6:00PM at Actor’s Equity, 165 West 46th Street.
Please prepare a one-minute monologue, and 16 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song if you would like to be seen for the musicals.
Children Auditions:
Open call for local children will be held January 24th at Boynton Middle School, sign-ups at 1:30pm, auditions begin at 2pm.
The Hangar Theatre invites young actors to audition for the following roles:
The Piano Lesson
MARETHA: African-American girl, 10-12. Sweet, well-behaved, polite, with a sense of humor. Devoted to her family.
Penelope of Ithaca
TELEMACHUS: boy, 8 to 12. Exuberant, happy, full of life young man who is inquisitive about life. Must be able to reproduce a stutter.
BOTH ROLES CALL FOR MEMORIZING WHOLE SCENES OF DIALOGUE IN A SHORT REHEARSAL PERIOD.
Please contact Artistic Assistant Kayla Shriner-Cahn at artistic@hangartheatre.org with any questions.
Hangar Theatre’s 2010 Mainstage Season
The 39 Steps
adapted by Patrick Barlow
from the film by Alfred Hitchcock
A farcical homage to the Alfred Hitchcock classic suspense film. The hilarity ensues as four actors perform the entire movie, playing dozens of characters, and creating trains, planes, and hotel rooms out of simple theatrical props. An “absurdly enjoyable, gleefully theatrical” tour-de-force, (New York Times).
Runs June 16 – June 26
RICHARD HANNAY: actor, mid/late 30’s, dashing Hitchcock leading man. Terrific ability for handling fast-paced text with wit and precision. He is an Everyman who is a celebrity.
ANNABELLA SCHMIDT/PAMELA/MARGARET: actress, late 20’s - late 30’s, Hitchock leading lady. Versatility to play ingenue, woman of mystery, and character parts.
Man 1: actor, 30’ - 50’s, traditional character man able to play a wide range of characters with the agility to change from one to the other effortlessly and instantly.
MAN 2: actor, 30’s - 50’s, see MAN 1 description.
ALL ACTORS MUST HAVE EXCELLENT COMIC TIMING, VERSATILITY, AND BE PROFICIENT IN THE STANDARD RP DIALECT.
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Man of La Mancha
by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion, & Dale Wasserman
The classic American musical that opened the Hangar Theatre 35 years ago returns to christen our brand new space. Battling the odds, laughing at nay-sayers, and dreaming the impossible dream: “The power of the human spirit to bring about transformation and redemption is at the core of Cervantes’s masterpiece…” (New York Times).
Runs July 1 – July 17
All characters participate as Storytellers and play multiple roles as needed.
CERVANTES/DON QUIXOTE: 40s; BASS/BARITONE WITH RANGE Bb2-f4, WITH A WARM RICH MATURE SOUND; HE IS OUR HERO AND NARRATOR; STRONG LEADING MAN WITH A GREAT SENSE OF STORYTELLING, HUMOR, AND INNOVATION; STRONG LEADER AND COLLABORATOR
MANSERVANT/SANCHO PANZA: MID TO LATE 40s; TENOR WITH RANGE C3-G4, A SOLID TOP IS NEEDED; QUIXOTE’S FAITHFUL SERVANT; CHARACTER MAN/SIDE-KICK WITH GREAT WARMTH AND COMPASSION; SHORT, ROTUND, SUSPICIOUS AND PRAGMATIC
ALDONZA: MID TO LATE 30s; MEZZO WITH RANGE Ab3-Ab5 WITH A STRONG MIX AND A SOLID HIGH Ab NEEDED; QUIXOTE’S LOVE; A WOMAN OF GREAT STRENGTH, GUILE, WIT, AND ULTIMATELY COMPASSION; STRONG EXTERIOR WITH GREAT VULNERABILITY
GOVERNOR/INNKEEPER: LATE 30s-40s; BASS WITH VOCAL RANGE A2-C4; CHARACTER MAN, ABLE TO USE VERSATILITY; A MAN OF OBVIOUS AUTHORITY AND HUMILITY
DUKE/DR.CARRASCO/KNIGHT OF THE MIRRORS: 40s; CERVANTES AND QUIXOTE’S ADVERSARY; STRONG, IMPOSING PRESENCE; A VERY PRACTICAL, REALISTIC MAN WHO SEES THE WORLD IN BLACK AND WHITE; A PRISONER OF DRAGGLE-TAIL ELEGANCE
PEDRO: 30s-40s; AN IMPOSING MAN; GANG LEADER; STRONG AND THREATENING; STRONG PHYSICAL PRESENCE IS A PLUS
HOUSEKEEPER/MARIA: 30s-40s; MEZZO WITH VOCAL RANGE F3-F5; CHARACTER WOMAN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR
FERMINA/MOORISH DANCER: DANCER, VERY ATTRACTIVE AND AGILE
ANTONIA: 20s-30s; SOPRANO WITH VOCAL RANGE C4-F5; QUIXOTE’S NIECE; SACCHARINE DUPLICITY
CAPTAIN OF THE INQUISITION/BARBER: ACTOR, 30s-40s; STRONG, IMPOSING MAN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR AND VERSATILITY
PADRE/ JUAN: ACTOR, LATE 30s-40s; TENOR WITH VOCAL RANGE F3-G4; CHARACTER MAN
TENORIO: ACTOR, VOCAL RANGE D3-G4, WITH A SOLID HIGH G; SINGS SOLO ‘LITTLE BIRD’
PACO: ACTOR, 20’s TO LATE 30’S, ATHLETIC
ANSELMO: ACTOR, 20’S TO LATE 30’S, WITTY, GOOD WITH TEXT
JOSE: YOUNGEST AND MOST INNOCENT
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Penelope of Ithaca
a new play by Kenny Finkle
commissioned for the re-opening of the Hangar Theatre
Combining the Greek myth of Penelope awaiting the return of her husband Odysseus with modern tales of life in Ithaca, Kenny Finkle uses his own nationally renowned sense of whimsy and humanity to explore our need to be loved. “Finkle gives his central characters rich detail, letting comedy arise naturally from their interactions. More than making jokes, he's crafting a story,” (Variety).
Runs July 28 – August 7
A MODERN TELLING OF THE GREEK MYTH SET IN MODERN-DAY ITHACA, NEW YORK. ALL CHARACTERS LIVE AND SPEAK IN THE HERE AND NOW.
PENELOPE: ACTRESS, LATE 20’S - MID 30’S; SMART, CURIOUS, VULNERABLE. STRONG ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN LOVE FOR ODYSSEUS OVER HIS SEVERAL YEAR ABSENCE.
ODYSSEUS/TELEMACHUS: ACTOR, LATE 20’S - MID 30’S; PENELOPE’S HUSBAND & TEEN-AGED SON, RESPECTIVELY. ODYSSEUS IS PASSIONATE, LOVABLE AND VERY LOVING - AN ADVENTURER. TELEMACHUS IS A BROODING, VULNERABLE TEENAGER, LOOKING FOR A STRONG ROLE MODEL.
PEGGY FONTAINE: ACTRESS, EARLY 50’S - LATE 60’S; PENELOPE’S AUNT & SOLE CARETAKER. ONE OF THE ORIGINAL “WILD WOMEN” OF ITHACA, SHE IS NO-NONSENSE, VERY PRACTICAL, OUTSPOKEN, WITH A JOKE OR PIECE OF WISDOM FOR EVERY OCCASION.
LUCIUS: ACTOR, LATE 20’S - MID 30’S; CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF BOTH PENELOPE AND ODYSSEUS, IN LOVE WITH PENELOPE, LOYAL TO ODYSSEUS AND THERE: THE DRAMA. SOFT-SPOKEN, WARM, SENSITIVE, ABLE TO PLAY THE GUITAR AND SING A PLUS.
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The Piano Lesson
by August Wilson
One of our most important American playwrights, August Wilson chronicles the story of a family coming to terms with its legacy of freedom born of slavery & determination. Part family drama, part human comedy, The Piano Lesson “seems to sing even when it is talking,” (New York Times).
Runs August 4 – August 14
Note: All the characters are African-American.
BOY WILLIE: ACTOR, 31 – infectious grin, boyish, ENTREPENEUR, CHARISMATIC, impulsive, crude.
BERNIECE: ACTRESS, 35 – Boy Willie’s sister, strong, in mourning.
DOAKER: ACTOR, 47 – BOY WILLIE & BERNIECE’S UNCLE. retired from world, LOYAL FAMILY MAN, GOOD PROVIDER, railroad cook.
LYMON: ACTOR, 29 – BOY WILLIE’S FRIEND, reticent, frank, VULNERABLE.
WINING BOY: ACTOR, 56 – Doaker’s older brother, showman with zest and sorrow.
AVERY: ACTOR, 38 – BERNIECE’S SUITOR; honest, ambitious, preacher.
GRACE: ACTOR, 30’s – Boy Willie’s date, A “GOOD-TIME” GIRL.
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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
by Rachel Sheinkin & William Finn
This delightful musical comedy sets the audience right in the middle of one of our favorite American competitions. Funny, poignant, and with the opportunity for actual audience members to compete, …Spelling Bee is “effortlessly endearing…Gold stars all around!” (New York Times) Original Broadway choreography, sets, & costumes created by Hangar Alumni Dan Knechtges, Beowulf Boritt, & Jennifer Caprio!
Runs August 19 – September 5
Rona Lisa Peretti: actress, mid-late 30‘s: The #1 Realtor in Putnam County, AND Spelling Bee moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children but can be very stern.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch: ACTOR, MID 30‘S - EARLY 40‘S; SPELLING BEE judge. BLUNT, NOT WITHOUT HIS ECCENTRICITIES, He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti.
Mitch Mahoney: EARLY 20‘S - 30‘S; Comfort Counselor, An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee.
NOTE: ALL THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS are adolescents played by adults.
Olive Ostrovsky: actress; smart, articulate, sweet, vulnerable, A newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India , and her father is working late.
William Barfée: actor; OUTSPOKEN, IMPULSIVE, A Spelling Bee finalist last year, USES HIS “MAGIC FOOT” TO SPELL, one working nostril, touchy personality.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre: ACTRESS; youngest and most politically aware speller, with two overbearing gay men as parents, a bit of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp.
Marcy Park: ACTRESS; OVERACHIEVER WHO speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, She is not allowed to cry.
Leaf Coneybear: ACTOR; second runner-up in his district, comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes, spells words in a trance, easily distracted.
Chip Tolentino: ACTOR; boy scout & champion of the LAST Spelling Bee, GOING THROUGH PUBERTY AND VERY AWARE OF ITS UNPREDICTABILITY.
The Hangar Theatre is a nationally respected professional theatre deeply rooted in the community that reaches people of all ages through a breadth of productions and education programs. In June 2008 A Hangar for All Seasons capital campaign to raise $4.6 million for renovation and endowment was launched. The capital project will result in a premier theatre facility planned to open in summer, 2010. The Hangar for All Seasons will provide a year-round home for the theatre’s renowned education program and an extended production season.
The theatre is located 2 miles outside of Downtown Ithaca, New York, at the Treman Marina entrance of Cass Park.