Barrington Stage Company Announces

Summer Youth Theatre 2016 Auditions

“THE WIZ”

Auditions February 26 & 27  by appointment only;

Callbacks March 12, at Boyd-Quinson Mainstage

(Pittsfield, MA)  Get ready to ‘Ease On Down the Road’ as Barrington Stage Company Youth Theatre seeks actors between the ages of 13-19 for roles in its summer 2016 production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz to be presented July 29 through August 14 at the Berkshire Museum (39 South Street) in Pittsfield, MA.

The Wiz is a glorious musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” with a book by William F. Brown and an infectious, funky and soulful score and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, The Wiz brings a renewed relevance to a timeless American classic. It’s blazing with high spirits and sizzling with vitality.

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 26 (4- 6pm or 6-8pm) and Saturday, February 27 (10am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm, or 4-6pm) Callbacks are March 12.  To schedule an audition appointment, please contact BSC’s Education Department at education@barringtonstageco.org. No phone calls. please.

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.

Christine O’Grady returns for her tenth year as director and choreographer. Her BSC credits include the popular Youth Theatre productions of Shrek The Musical TYA, Hairspray Jr., Disney’s Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Disney’s High School Musical, 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 NY revival of Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown’s Parade for The Gallery Players.

Youth Theatre rehearsals for The Wiz begin on June 27 and performances run from July 29 through August 14 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 talk-backs with the casts, and participate in master classes led by professional theatre artists.

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