Western Carolina Stage Company, the newly formed summer theatre troupe at Western Carolina University, will hold open auditions for an original musical comedy that will run at Western before traveling to New York City for FringeNYC, the seventh annual New York International Fringe Festival. Titled “Mother Divine,” the play was written by Laurel Vartabedian, assistant professor of communication and theatre arts at Western, and Texas composer Bill Evans. The show, loosely based on the unusual story of a Harlem evangelist, will be directed by Stephen Michael Ayers, associate professor of communication and theatre arts, and veteran of stage and film. Auditions are set for 6 until 9 p.m. Monday, June 2, in Niggli Theatre on the WCU campus. Callbacks will be held 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 3. The Western Carolina Stage Company is seeking “triple-threat performers” who can act, sing and dance, and with minimal afternoon, night or weekend conflicts between July 17 and Aug. 20. The play features a multi-cultural cast of 11, with roles for six African-American actors. Actors play characters ages 22 to 65, with one 75-plus female character.
Auditionees should bring or prepare the following: Sixteen bars of an up-tempo song and 16 bars of a ballad, with sheet music. – A one-minute comic monologue. – Clothing and shoes for a dance combination; auditionees should be prepared to move.
Western’s production of “Mother Divine” been selected for the prestigious FringeNYC, to be held in New York City Aug. 8-20. Rehearsals are July 17-29, with performances set for July 30 through Aug. 3 at Western. This is an “Equity Approved Showcase.” Travel to and from New York, housing and per diem will be provided for New York performances. Call (828) 227-7491 for more information, or e-mail lvartabdn@wcu.edu.
