Auburn Players Community Theatre

Youth theatre auditions for 2009 Musical

YOUTH THEATRE AUDITIONS
Ages 8 to 18
Elementary, Middle, and High School students

Beauty & the Beast, Jr

Directed by Elisa Carabajal Hunt
Vocal Direction by Sara Fraher

Audition Dates
Ages 8 – 12: Sunday, June 28th
Ages 13 – 18: Monday, June 29th
Both days, 6PM at The Willard Chapel, 17 Nelson St., Auburn
Please bring a prepared song and a poem or reading.

Auburn Players Youth Theatre annouces auditions

YOUTH THEATRE AUDITIONS
Ages 8 to 18
Elementary, Middle, and High School students

Beauty & the Beast, Jr

Directed by Elisa Carabajal Hunt
Vocal Direction by Sara Fraher

Audition Dates
Ages 8 – 12: Sunday, June 28th at 6:00 PM
Ages 13 – 18: Monday, June 29th at 6:00 PM
at The Willard Chapel, 17 Nelson St., Auburn
Please bring a prepared song and a poem or reading.

AuburnPub.com - ‘Oliver!' stylishly ends Players' season

AuburnPub.com - ‘Oliver!' stylishly ends Players' season.

‘Oliver!' stylishly ends Players' season

By David Wilcox / The Citizen

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:44 PM EDT

Grade: A

The Auburn Players Community Theatre concludes its 2008-2009 season with a true pick of a show: Lionel Bart's “Oliver!”, the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel. Under the direction of Dia M. Carabajal, the cast of 60-plus skillfully tackles the musical's catchiest, quirkiest and most moving songs, such as “Oom Pah Pah,” “That's Your Funeral” and “It's a Fine Life.” Between numbers, the cast delicately balances the show's haunting conflicts with its naughty humor.

Zachary Driscoll plays Oliver, a 9-year-old orphan who dares to ask for more gruel of his workhouse caretaker, Mr. Bumble (Michael R. Nye). Driscoll spiritedly inhabits Dickens' iconic character and Nye plays Bumble with amusing vigor.

Appalled by the child's audacious request, Bumble arranges for Oliver to serve an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry (a hysterically creepy Ed Beck). But when bully Noah Claypole (Paul Noga) besmirches Oliver's late mother, the young boy beats him down and escapes his enslavement to the Sowerberries in the ensuing ruckus.

On the run, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger (Joseph C. Townsend), who introduces the poor boy to a circle of pickpockets ordered about by the greedy Fagin (Thames Nolan). Townsend and Nolan each turn in charismatic performances that make their well-worn characters no less interesting than they originally were on Dickens' pages.

Oliver's odyssey into - and out of - Fagin's criminal enterprise also introduces the audience to Nancy, played by Krystal M. Scott, who propels numbers like “It's a Fine Life” and “As Long as He Needs Me” with soaring vocals. The dramatic weight of the second half of the show is tied to Nancy's relationship with her burglar boyfriend, the misogynous Bill Sykes (a superbly menacing Simon Moody).

The Players' stellar production of “Oliver” shines most in its costumes, especially the raggedy but refined garb of the Artful Dodger and Sykes. The detailed London backdrops and lighting design also set the mid-19th century street scene convincingly. Aside from a few rough patches in choreography, this season-ending show offers audiences more than enough satisfaction on the first helping.

David Wilcox

253-5311 ext. 245

david.wilcox@lee.net

If you go

What: “Oliver!”

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14

Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn

Cost: $14 adults, $12 seniors/students, $7 children 12 and younger

Info: Call 258-8275

Membership Drive

<p>Reminder - Auburn Players Membership Dues - Due June 1, 2009</p>

It’s time for the Auburn Players Membership drive. The board of directors has decided to move to an annual renewal in June to align with our production season and the election of new officers later in the month of June. All membership dues should be sent in by June 1, 2009. The membership form is included below.

With your Auburn Players membership, you will be invited to the annual Auburn Players Board election dinner at the end of June which is not only an enjoyable time but an opportunity to express your interest in becoming a board member. More details to follow…..

The Auburn Players History

In 1961, the Auburn Players Community Theatre of Auburn, New York, was formed when a group of seven people came together in response to an ad in the local newspaper, “The Citizen Advertiser.” In the early days, the group didn’t have a dedicated “home” theatre, instead choosing to perform in just about any venue they could find. From taverns & restaurants, park & campground, schools & stadiums, the Auburn Players performed all around the Auburn area to appreciative crowds.

As the years grew, so did the size of the group, and the need to find a permanent “home” for the players to perform their ever-more professional approach to community theatre. In 1978, the Auburn Players found a home at the theatre space at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, New York. Since then the college has hosted some 150 Auburn Players shows, translating into over 700 performances at that venue.

Over these 40+ years, the Auburn Players have welcomed literally thousands of fresh faces onto our stage. The “Auburn” Players have drawn, not just Auburn residents to the stage, but actors and actresses from Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, Oswego, and every village in between. From ages 3 to 73, one-time talents to career bound theatre experts, classically trained thespians to stand-up side-kicks, the Players have been a shining beacon of opportunity for people who dream of that euphoric energy that can only be gained by the applause of a crowd. We’re proud of our tradition of offering that magical experience. That’s why we’re also proud to say that the Auburn Players Community Theatre is “Home of your neighborhood stars!”

Membership Form

What does membership in the Auburn Players include? Participation in all Auburn Players productions and social events, the Auburn Players Newsletter, and voting rights at Auburn Players meetings. Membership Costs are as follows:

Family $25

Individual $15

Student $10

Name:______________________________

Address:____________________________

Phone:______________________________

email:_______________________________

Please send your membership dues and the above sign up sheet to:

APCT PO Box (#543)

Auburn, NY 13021

Make checks payable to the Auburn Players.

Opening June 5, 2009 - Oliver!

Opening Friday, April 24, 2009

Oliver Auditions Announced

Oliver, the Musical will be presented by the Auburn Players Community Theatre at Cayuga Community College in June.

Auditions for this popular show are announced by the director; Dia Carabajal to be held at Willard Chapel on Nelson Street in Auburn.

Age 8 through 15 will be asked to audition on Tuesday, April 14th from 6 to 9pm
Ages 16+ will audition on Wednesday, April 15th from 7 to 9pm

All should be prepared to read from a provided script, have a song prepared and wear comfortable clothes.

Donations in October 2008

The Auburn Players thank The Stanley W. Metcalf Foundation, Inc. for a generous contribution of $1000 in support of the youth theater production of "Willy Wonka, Jr."

The Auburn Players thank ITT/Goulds Pumps Corporation for a $100 donation for theater production in Cayuga County.

Press Release - The New 2008-2009 Season

The Auburn Players Community Theatre will present seven diverse productions for its 2008-2009 season in Auburn.
In early September, the Auburn Players' Youth Theatre opens the 48th season with the wacky, fun-filled musical "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Jr." at Cayuga Community College and under the direction of Eliza Hunt of Weedsport.
Later that month, the Auburn Players' Second Stage will again produce original plays for the Original Short Play Festival at the Auburn Public Theatre. As a community theatre the Auburn Players have felt an obligation to partner with area citizens in programs and workshops. For the festival we welcome first-time playwrights and veteran writers alike.
The original Christmas play "Carry on Santa" is about Santa's upcoming retirement and answers the question of who will carry on the gift giving and spreading of good will each year. This family play was written by and will be directed by Barbara Murphy of Auburn. It is available for early December bookings to groups and businesses.
In January of 2009 the powerful award-winning drama "Our Country's Good", set in a penal colony in 18th century Australia, will be brought to life by first-time director Jason Manning of Auburn. This adult play touches on the themes of justice and redemption.
A Valentine's treat is in store February at the Auburn Public Theatre when award winning Auburn director, Bourke Kennedy, brings the cabaret-style musical "Closer Than Ever" to Auburn. The Auburn Players will pair with local restaurants to offer dinner and theatre for a memorable evening of love.
The Auburn Players brings Shakespeare back to Auburn in April with "Much Ado About Nothing", the comedy about mixed matched lovers. Jamie Bruno of Auburn, an avid Shakespeare enthusiast and director of the much acclaimed "The Tempest" at Auburn Public Theatre two years ago, will direct. He continues to be active with the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival.
Dia Carabajal of Auburn will direct "Oliver" in June. This musical is based on the Charles Dickens' novel, "Oliver Twist". Dia directed this musical for the Players eighteen years ago and is looking forward to working with a whole new generation of children when this season's final show opens at Cayuga Community College.
For more information contact Bourke Kennedy at bourke@kenlark.com. Call 315-253-4315