FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BSC Press Director Charlie Siedenburg, 551-655-0968
Barrington Stage Company Announces
Summer Youth Theatre 2014 Auditions
Hairspray JR.
Auditions February 8-9 by appointment only;
Callbacks March 1-2, at Boyd-Quinson Mainstage
(Pittsfield, MA) Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre seeks actors between the ages of 13-18 for roles in its summer 2014 production of Hairspray JR., to be presented July 23 through August 10 at Berkshire Museum (39 South Street) in Pittsfield, MA.
Barrington Stage Artistic Director Julianne Boyd in a statement noted that “For our 20th Anniversary Season we’re thrilled to present the award-winning musical Hairspray, JR. which will be our largest Youth Theatre production to date, and we’re encouraging all students to audition. We’re looking for a diverse ethnic group of teenagers for this exciting high-energy musical.”
Auditions will be held in two-hour slots by appointment only at Barrington Stage’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA, on Saturday, February 8 (10am-12pm, 4-6pm & 6-8pm) and Sunday, February 9 (1-3pm & 3-5pm). Callbacks are March 1-2. To schedule an audition appointment, please contact Brittany Bonnell at educationintern@barringtonstageco.org.
Hairspray JR., based on the John Waters film and Tony Award-winning stage musical of the same name, features the popular songs “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Good Morning Baltimore.” Filled with energetic dance numbers and unique characters, Hairspray JR. is a show that celebrates diversity and will bring audiences to their feet with its positive message and off-beat sense of humor.
Actors must act, sing, and move well. Those auditioning should bring a headshot or labeled photo and prepare 16 bars of two contrasting songs (upbeat and ballad) from two contemporary musicals of your choice. No more than one selection may be from the musical Hairspray and all songs must be from published musicals. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key and come dressed to move. An accompanist will be provided for auditions. All roles are available. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition. A complete breakdown and description of the cast list will be posted on BSC’s website, barringtonstageco.org.
Christine O’Grady returns for her eighth year as director and choreographer. Her BSC credits include the popular Youth Theatre productions of Disney’s Little Mermaid JR., Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Disney’s High School Musical, Disney’s High School Musical 2, and Seussical. O’Grady served as the Associate Choreographer for the Tony-winning Broadway revival of HAIR and the recent national tour. She also choreographed the first New York revival of Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown’s Parade for The Gallery Players. Sarah Brett England returns for her third Youth Theatre production as Music Director. Her BSC credits include Disney’s Little Mermaid and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Youth Theatre rehearsals for Hairspray JR. begin on June 28 and performances run from July 23 through August 10 in Pittsfield at Berkshire Museum. Performers must commit to the full rehearsal and performance schedule. Program is free and includes master classes. BSC’s Youth Theatre models its professional Mainstage productions and, as such, performers are required to sign a contract for this important commitment.
For more information, visit barringtonstageco.org.
About Barrington Stage Company
Barrington Stage Company, a professional award-winning Equity regional theatre located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA, was co-founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. Barrington Stage’s mission is three-fold: to present top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways to bringing new audiences into the theatre—especially young people. Barrington Stage garnered national attention in 2004 when it workshopped, and premiered William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s musical hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which later transferred to Broadway, where it won two Tony Awards. In 2009/2010 Barrington Stage produced the world premiere of Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session, which later moved Off-Broadway and played for two years. St. Germain’s Becoming Dr. Ruth (which premiered at BSC as Dr. Ruth, All the Way in 2012) played Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in fall 2013. Barrington Stage was voted “Best Live Theatre” by The Berkshire Eagle readers in 2011 and 2012 and was named “Best Theatre Company” in Metroland’s Best of the Capital Region 2009-2012.
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