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BSC Press Director Charlie Siedenburg, 551-655-0968

Barrington Stage Company Announces
Summer Youth Theatre 2015 Auditions
Shrek The Musical TYA

Auditions February 27-28 by appointment only;
Callbacks March 7, at Boyd-Quinson Mainstage

(Pittsfield, MA)  Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre seeks actors between the ages of 13-19 for roles in its summer 2015 production of Shrek The Musical TYA, to be presented July 22 through August 9 at Berkshire Museum (39 South Street) in Pittsfield, MA. Christine O’Grady returns to direct and choreograph.

Auditions will be held in two-hour slots by appointment only at Barrington Stage’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA, on Friday, February 27 (4- 6pm or 6-8pm) and Saturday, February 28 (10am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm, or 4-6pm) Callbacks are March 7.  To schedule an audition appointment, please contact BSC’s Education Department at education@barringtonstageco.org. For questions or further information, contact Director of Education Corinne Miller at 413-997-6112.

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning smash-hit film. Featuring songs by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change) and a sidesplittingly funny book by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), Shrek The Musical is a fairy tale adventure that brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage. An unlikely hero, Shrek finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you have the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Shrek The Musical TYA is sponsored in part by The Berkshire Eagle.

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.  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 www.barringtonstageco.org.

Youth Theatre rehearsals for Shrek The Musical TYA begin on June 27 and performances run from July 22 through August 9 in Pittsfield at the Berkshire Museum. Performers must commit to the full rehearsal and performance schedule. The Youth Theatre production models BSC’s professional Mainstage productions and, as such, performers are required to sign a contract for this important commitment and will be paid a stipend for their participation. Youth Theatre actors will also have the opportunity to attend BSC’s Mainstage productions, engage in talkbacks with the casts, and participate in master classes led by professional theatre artists.

Christine O’Grady returns for her ninth year as director and choreographer. Her BSC credits include Dancing Lessons and the popular Youth Theatre productions of Hairspray, JR., 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.

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 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. BSC’s all-time record-breaking musical, On the Town, originally presented in 2013, is currently on Broadway with BSC as a co-producer. 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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