Kentwood Players Hosts Auditions For PARADE 1/15-16

Kentwood Players will hold auditions for the musical "Parade" with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown on Saturday January 15, from 11:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, January 16, from 6:00 to 10:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles , CA 90045 . Callbacks will be held on Monday, January 17 at 7:00pm. "Parade" will be directed by Ben Lupejkis and produced by Victoria and Rocky Miller, with production dates from March 18 to April 23, 2011 with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. It is produced by Special Permission from Music Theatre International.

"Parade" is a fascinatingly evocative musical based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was convicted in 1913 of the brutal rape and murder of a 13 year-old factory worker in Atlanta , Georgia. It is a riveting murder mystery, a gripping courtroom drama, a moving love story, a searing social commentary, but above all, in the humble words of its Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Alfred Uhry, "It is an entertainment."

Director Ben Lupejkis and musical director Scott McKenzie are looking for all age ranges for singer/actors who move well. Cast includes several roles for black actors and actresses, as well as singer/actors who play banjo, guitar, fiddle, trumpet, clarinet, drums. If you play an instrument, please bring it to the auditions. All roles are open and the director requests that you be familiar with the show. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing selections from the show or in the style of the show and will be asked to read from provided script sides. An accompanist will be provided. Please dress to move, as auditioners will be asked to learn a short routine. Auditioners are asked to bring headshot, resume, and appointment calendar to the auditions. Advance appointments are not necessary. For more information, go to www.kentwoodplayers.org and select auditions.

The following is a partial cast breakdown.

Male characters
Young Soldier (Tenor) (to play 16-18}
Old Soldier (Baritone) [65+]
Leo Frank (Lyric baritone) [30-40]
Hugh Dorsey (Baritone) [30-40]
Governor Slaton (Lyric baritone) [40's]
Frankie Epps (Tenor) [to play 15]
Newt Lee (Baritone) [Black 50's]
Britt Craig (Lyric baritone) [20's]
Tom Watson (Lyric baritone) [40's]
Riley (Baritone) [Black 40-50]
Jim Conley (Lyric baritone) [Black 25-35]
Fiddlin' John (Tenor) [25-35]
Judge Roan (Baritone) [65+]

Female characters
Lucille Frank (Alto/Mezzo) [25-35]
Sally Slaton [30's]
Mary Phagan (Alto/mezzo) [to play 13/14]
Mrs. Phagan (Alto) [35-50]
Minola McKnight (Alto/mezzo) [Black 30-40]
Iola Stover (Alto/mezzo) [to play 16-18]
Monteen (Alto/mezzo) [to play 16-18]
Essie (Alto/mezzo) [to play 14-16]
Angela (Alto/mezzo) [Black 30-40]

Ensemble: Various parts (All vocal and age ranges; all demographics, male and female)

For more information about Kentwood Players including our Current Productions, upcoming auditions, and our Kentwood Kids Children's Theatre Classes, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. And you can also sign up and be a Kentwood Players friend on Facebook and My Space.

To meet the "Parade" production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm at the Westchester Playhouse located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.