Auditions Open to Students and Community Members
The Kent State University at Stark Theatre has announced open auditions for the first theatrical production of the season, Consider the Oyster by David MacGregor, and directed by Kent State Stark Associate Professor of Theatre and Theatre Director Brian Newberg. Auditions are open to everyone, including students and members of the community. Kent State Stark encourages diversity in casting.
Consider the Oyster features Gene, who, after watching his favorite team win the Super Bowl, spontaneously proposes to his longtime girlfriend Marisa. In the midst of his excitement, he breaks his leg. The oyster shell the doctor leaves in Gene’s leg to aid in healing sets off a chain reaction of odd feminine changes in Gene’s physicality, hormones and emotions. Gender identity and humor explode on stage in comical yet thought-provoking ways.
Auditions will be held on September 6 and 7 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre, 6000 Frank Avenue NW in Jackson Township.
Roles are available for two men and two women. No children. Those auditioning may perform a prepared monologue, if they wish, and the director may also choose sides (selected scene excerpts) for some to perform. The production will be performed November 10-12 and 17-19 at the Kent State Stark Theatre. Rehearsals will begin September 11 at 6 p.m. and will occur five evenings a week until opening. Visit www.kent.edu/stark/theatre-auditions for more information about auditions for this production.
Roles:
- Gene: 20’s/30’s, male or female (character “transforms” from a straight male to a female during the play, not by his choice)
- Eliot: 20’s/30’s, male, Gene’s best friend and roommate, who is openly gay and sassy
- Marisa: 20’s/30’s, Gene’s fiancée, sweet and strong
- Kay: 40’s/50’s, Marisa’s mother, a sharp tongued high-powered attorney who speaks her mind
Note: The age range of the actors playing these characters is flexible.
Scripts (and audition sides or scene excerpts used for the auditions) are available for perusal for periods up to 24 hours in advance from the Fine Arts secretary by calling 330-244-5151, Monday through Friday, during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The campus will be closed September 4 in observance of Labor Day. Audition appointments are recommended, but not required. Scripts and audition sides will also be available in the reserve area of the Library (Learning Resource Center).
To learn more about Kent State Stark’s Theatre Department, visit www.kent.edu/stark/theatre.