The Pennington Players will hold open auditions for its March 2016 production of The Diary of Anne Frank on December 3rd and 5th with callbacks on December 6. The show will be performed at the Kelsey Theatre, on the campus at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, NJ. Performance dates are: March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20, with Friday and Saturday night performances at 8:00 pm, and Sunday afternoon performances at 2:00 pm.
NOTE: There will also be daytime performances on Monday March 14 and Friday March 18 at 10:00 am. A Talk Back session will be offered after the March 18th performance. The production will be directed by Judi Parrish.
About The Play: In this transcendently powerful adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, The Diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief. Each day of these two dark years, Anne's voice shines through: "When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!"
Audition Dates:
Thursday, December 3, 2015 7 PM to 9:30 PM
Saturday, December 5, 2015 1 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday, December 6, 2015 1 PM to 3 PM Callbacks Only (as needed; by invitation only)
Audition Appointment Options:
· Audition forms, monologues, information and a link to the online sign-up form are available on the Pennington Players’ website: www.penningtonplayers.org
· Online signup: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4aada822a2fb6-auditions1
· Questions: e-mail auditions@penningtonplayers.org
· Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will be seen on a time-available basis.
· Auditions and callbacks will be held in the Communications (CM) building adjacent to Kelsey Theatre; for maps and directions, please visit www.kelseytheatre.net
About The Auditions: All those auditioning are asked to prepare the monologue(s) provided for the character(s) for which you are auditioning. Memorization is not required but is strongly recommended. Other readings from the play may be provided at the time of your audition or call back, if needed. The audition monologues are available on the Pennington Players’ website: www.penningtonplayers.org/auditions.html
About Rehearsals: The first read thru will be scheduled during mid December, at which time scripts will be handed out and all actors will be measured for costumes. Rehearsals will begin in earnest in early January and will primarily be scheduled for at least two evenings per week and one weekend afternoon per week, based on actor availability. It is very important that all those auditioning be as thorough and honest about all known and potential conflicts between December 10, 2015 and March 20, 2016, as the rehearsal schedule will be determined based on those conflicts.
Roles: The company will cast 10 actors: 4 adult males, 3 adult females, 2 teenage girls and 1 teenage boy. Ages represent the age of the “character.” They will not be using accents with onstage characters. All roles are open. A description of the characters is provided below.
They are also seeking 2 to 3 men who speak fluent German to record several voice-over segments. There will be no onstage commitment, with only 1-2 recording sessions anticipated. Anyone interested should email: auditions@penningtonplayers.org and indicate your experience or education with speaking German.
Characters:
Anne Frank: (female, teens) The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank, Anne is a lively, curious girl of thirteen at the beginning of the play. She remains optimistic throughout the months they are in hiding and always makes the best of the situation she is in. As her diary reveals, she is very introspective and creative and has a vivid imagination. Looking for an actress who is between 13 & 17 who looks 14.
Otto Frank: (male, early 50’s) Anne’s polite and practical father, Mr. Frank is the head of the “attic family.” His calmness and patience are an asset in the cramped attic and a comfort to Anne, who is very close to him.
Edith Frank: (female, early 40’s) Anne’s reserved and nervous mother, Mrs. Frank loves Anne, but she wishes she were more proper and polite, like her sister Margot. Because of her reserved nature, Mrs. Frank and Anne are not close.
Margot Frank: (female, teens) Anne’s older sister, Margot is much more like her mother than Anne. She is quiet, modest, and reserved: the complete opposite of Anne. Looking for an actress who is between 15 & 18 who looks 16.
Putti Van Daan: (male, early 40’s) An irritable former business partner of Mr. Frank, Mr. Van Daan’s family is invited to stay in the attic with the Franks. He is selfish and openly critical of others, especially Anne.
Petronella Van Daan: (female, early 40’s) Mr. Van Daan’s vain and finicky wife, Mr. Van Daan prizes the material things of life, including a fur coat she brought to the attic with her. These traits all make her the center of much of the conflict in the attic.
Peter Van Daan: (male, teens) The son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, Peter is a shy, quiet 16 year old boy. He soon becomes a friend and confidant for Anne, and they share first kiss together. Looking for an actor who is between 15 & 17 who looks 16.
Jan Dussell: (male, early 50’s) Difficult to get along with, Mr. Dussell joins the Franks and the Van Daans after they have been in hiding about two months.
Miep Gies: (female, mid 30’s) A very well-liked, generous secretary in Mr. Frank’s office, Miep helps to protect the families in hiding. Along with Mr. Kraler, she brings to the refugees food, supplies, and news from the outside world.
Mr. Kraler: (male, 40’s) A businessman who works with Miep to help protect the people in hiding, Mr. Kraler risks his life to help his friends.
