DAC IMPROV MELODRAMA AUDITIONS
Draper Arts Council will hold auditions for Showdown at the Rainbow Ranch, a classic musical melodrama set in the Old West, to be directed by Chris Jones. Auditions will be January 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the home of the director’ father, 12852 South 600 East, Draper. Call backs (if needed) to be arranged.
There are parts for four men and four women, ages 20 and up. The director envisions this melodrama as only loosely tied to the script, featuring ad libs, topical humor, sing-alongs, product placement, and general pandemonium. Consequently, cast members will need to be flexible and creative, as the show will be partially written in rehearsals by the cast. The production will also include olio numbers before, during, and possibly after the performances, which are scheduled from 28 February to 8 March at the Draper Historic Theatre.
Auditioners should come prepared to read from the script, to sing a song (preferably Western), and to engage in some improvisation. Ability to play the guitar, dobro, or mandolin a definite plus. If you can play the castanets, we’ll work it in.
Character descriptions:
• Rainbow Heatherton - the fair, the pure, and the plucky heroine of our show. Sings, dances, and acts like a lovesick fool. The damsel does get into distress as well, of course. Wide-eyed and unsuspicious as only a melodrama ingenue can be. 20-something.
• Hattie - brains and sense, the older and wiser best friend of Rainbow. Suspicious and protective, can be somewhat older than her protege. 30-something to 70-something.
• Becky Mae - another friend of Rainbow’s, wife of Sheriff Bidwell. Sees the good in everyone and everything, with the exception of her husband, who admittedly isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack. 30s or 40s.
• Toby - the faithful hired hand. Does his best to help Rainbow out of trouble. 30-something
• Sheriff Homer Bidwell - slow-witted but dogged lawman, the only law in town (for a while, anyway). Will need to match age with Becky Mae.
• Matthew Merryweather - the hero. Rootin’ tootin’ gunslinger. Crack shot, show biz star, and falling for Rainbow. Cousin to Hattie. Mid 20s.
• Madame Zorelda - kind-hearted fortuneteller with a mysterious past. Ageless and cryptic, but grateful for any kindness, as she hasn’t seen much.
• Cadwell C. Cleaver - the villain. Everything you can imagine a melodrama villain to be, and worse. Must be able to focus while popcorn is flung at him from the audience. Ceaselessly booed and hissed.
For more information, see the DAC website at www.draperartscouncil.org, or contact the director at or 801-850-3781.
Post expires at 12:00am on Sunday January 12th, 2014