"Oklahoma" Auditions January 22 & 23

Auditions for ACT's production of the musical “Oklahoma” will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, January 22 and 23, at the Barbara Titelman Spessard Rehearsal Hall, located in ACT's Workshop downtown at 1213 12th Street next to Tom & Joe's Diner.

Bryce P. Britton is directing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic for ACT, his first involvement with the local troupe. A full-time instructor at Penn State Altoona, where he has helmed productions of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “The Duchess of Malfi” and “Ruined”,” he also has worked as a director and stage manager in professional theatres throughout the country. Bryce Cossitor is Musical Director for "Oklahoma.” K.T. Huckabee is choreographer.

The cast of "Oklahoma" has 3 female and 4 male leading and supporting characters, plus a large singing and dancing ensemble with numerous small roles:

• LAUREY -- soprano, a young farmgirl, innocent but spunky, who falls in love with a cowboy named Curley but is being pursued by a rough farmhand named Jud.

• CURLEY -- tenor/baritone, a young, likable cowboy who is also smitten with Laurey. He is charming and handsome and, at times, a little too full of himself.

• ADO ANNIE – mezzo with a strong belt, a girlfriend of Laurey's involved with a cowboy named Will Parker but who has a hard time saying “no” to any man; definite comic role.

• WILL PARKER – baritone, a hapless cowboy who loves Ado Annie. Not very bright, but very funny and sincere and loveable.

• JUD FRY – bass/baritone, a lonely man (young to middle-aged) who works on Eller's farm; big, burly and frightening. He’s determined to marry Laurey.

• AUNT ELLER -- Laurey's Aunt and the owner of a farm, can be any age from her 30s on up; a down to earth, strong but loveable woman

• ALI HAKIM -- a traveling peddler, young to middle aged, who comes around often and who gets mixed up with Annie after his flirting goes too far; a strong comic character.

All roles are available, and previous experience or prior participation with ACT is not necessary. Auditionees should prepare two contrasting musical selections no more than 30-measures each, one a song by Rodgers and Hammerstein and the other a non-contemporary Broadway standard. Bring printed music for the accompanist. No unaccompanied auditions will be permitted. Anyone not preparing a song in advance will be taught part of one of the following songs from the show: Male Roles “Oh What Beautiful Morning”; Female Roles “Many a New Day” and Ensemble “Oklahoma.”

Because the show features a lengthy ballet sequence, a separate dance audition will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, January 22, in the ACT Rehearsal Hall. If possible, ALL INDIVIDUALS AUDITIONING FOR THE SHOW Iespecially potential LAuries and Curleys) SHOULD ATTEND THE DANCE AUDITION, which will begin with a simple movement audition. Dancers with experience and training, then, will be asked to stay for a more difficult audition.

ACT also is looking for volunteers to work on the production's set, costumes, makeup, lighting and props crews. Sign up during auditions or contact the ACT office at (814) 943-4357.

ACT Meeting January 20

Altoona Community Theatre will hold a general membership meeting at 7 p.m. Friday, January 20, in the Barbara Titelman Spessard Rehearsal Hall of the ACT Workshop, located downtown at 1213 12th Street next to Tom & Joe's Diner. Newcomers and anyone interested in any aspect of theatre are welcome to attend.

On the agenda, director Bryce Britton will discuss plans for ACT's May presentation of the musical "Oklahoma." There also will be special entertainment and refreshments following the meeting. For more information on ACT, call the ACT administrative office at (814) 943-4357.