The artistic director of Hackmatack Playhouse knows that an actor whose youth is clearly in the rearview mirror may have an extra challenge finding available roles. For this actor, Lisbon has a message: Hackmatack will be auditioning this spring for summer shows that feature numerous characters clearly beyond their 20s.
“This season we will be in need of more actors over 30 than we have in the past,” said Crystal Lisbon of Dover, now in her third season at the Berwick playhouse. “All of our four shows offer a lot of great parts for actors who aren't college age.”
Two of the season’s shows - “Steel Magnolias,” and “The Fantasticks,” are especially rich with older parts, Lisbon said. In addition, Hackmatack is looking for older actors for “She Loves Me,”as well as “Buddy,” the Buddy Holly story.
For “Buddy,” Hackmatack will also be looking for a special breed of actor, those who can play instruments.?
“We are in need of musicians and actors for Buddy, which isn't something we're normally on the hunt for,” noted Lisbon. “Often it's about actors and dancers or singers and actors, but for this particular show we need people who are musicians, actors, and singers. It makes for a very specific need; but is also exciting for that very same reason.”
Auditions for “She Loves Me” and “The Fantasticks” will run 9 am to 2 pm Saturday March 4, with call backs that day or the next day. For “Steel Magnolias, Hackmatack’s third show of the season, auditions will be 10 am to Noon Saturday, April 1 with call backs right after auditions. Appointments for auditions, which will be held at the South Berwick Community Center on Norton Street, can be made by emailing
Mikeguptill@hotmail.com.
Actors who want to be in “Buddy” were asked to submit short videos with footage of the actor performing a song from the show. There are also some acting-only roles in the show. Call backs for “Buddy” will be March 5.
Lisbon likes each of this summer’s shows for what they bring to the stage and audiences. For instance, “She Loves Me”, the basis for the film “You've Got Mail, is a lovely show just coming off of a 2016 Broadway revival,” she said. “It does not have much name recognition outside theater circles, but once audiences see it, they will fall in love with it.” This will run June 16 through July 1.
The thrill of Buddy,” the Buddy Holly story, which will run July 5 through 22, is that Hackmatack has never taken on this kind of huge musical show.
“We've never done a show like this before, at least not on this scale,” she said. “Buddy’s story is a tragic one, but it also feels upbeat and fun. I'm excited to bring something very different to the barn with this show.”
Lisbon sees “Steel Magnolias,” which was also a film and will run July 26 to Aug. 12, as a good balance for the male-oriented “Buddy.”
“I love that it's a show stacked full of solid, female characters, with a lot of heart,” she said. “Buddy is a very male-centric show, and so it felt important that we tell a story focused on women. I really feel like it's the perfect dessert to the main course of Buddy.”
Finally, Hackmatack’s 45th anniversary season will close Aug. 16 through Sept. 2 with the “The Fantasticks,” a musical done by Hackmatack when it opened in 1972 and one that is often requested by audiences.
“It's the longest running off Broadway show for a reason,” Lisbon said “There is a beauty and simplicity to the story and music. It seemed fitting that this one close out the season. Not only because of it's iconic music, but also because we haven't done it in 45 years. What a way to put a nice note on this anniversary season.”
Actors looking for information on auditions and characters can go to
hackmatack.org for descriptions of characters like, for women, a 60-something wealthy curmudgeon who is acerbic but lovable, or the 30ish sexy and good-hearted clerk at the parfumerie. Or for men, there is, of course, “Buddy,” the singer-songwriter Buddy Holly of Lubbock, Texas, who is in his 20s, intelligent, charismatic and able to play guitar, or one of his sidekicks, the serious and square 20-something double bass player from Lubbock.
“And so it goes,” said theater owner Michael Guptill. “Our directors will be looking for over-the-top thespians, goofy sidekicks, speechless wonders and all in all people who can sing, dance and mesh with the tight-knit family that is Hackmatack each summer.”
CALENDAR ITEM
AUDITIONS. March 4 - Hackmatack Playhouse auditions for “She Loves Me” and “The Fantasticks” 9 am to 2 pm, with call backs March 4 and 5. At the South Berwick Community Center on Norton Street. For more information go to
hackmatack.org. For audition appointments for auditions, email
mikeguptill@hotmail.com.
AUDITIONS. April 1 - Hackmatack Playhouse auditions for “Steel Magnolias,” 10 am to Noon with callbacks immediately after. At the South Berwick Community Center on Norton Street. For more information go to
hackmatack.org. For audition appointments for auditions, email
mikeguptill@hotmail.com.
Annie, the Hack cat, does not audition for parts, but sometimes appears uninvited on the stage of Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick. All other actors are invited to audition for the 2017 shows the weekends of March 4 and Aril 1. More information is available at
hackmatack.org.
Hackmatack Playhouse
538 School Street (Route 9)
Berwick, ME 03901
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