The Farmington Players Barn Theater Announces Auditions For MIRACLE ON 34th STREET 8/27

The Farmington Players Barn Theater is holding open auditions (August 27 & 30) for its upcoming holiday production, Miracle on 34th Street. The play is based on the novel by Valentine Davies that inspired one of Hollywood's best loved classic movies.

The play opens with Doris Walker, a no-nonsense special events director for New York's iconic Macy's Department Store, finding the actor hired to play Santa Claus intoxicated only moments before the start of the big Thanksgiving Day parade. In a panic, Doris persuades a nice old man standing nearby to take his place. The kindly gentleman proves to be a sensation, and is quickly hired to be Macy's official store Santa. Much to her dismay, Doris soon learns that her new hire claims to be the real Santa. Despite her refusal to believe, many people begin to notice there is something very special about the old man, including her young daughter Susan. What ensues is an exciting courtroom drama that quickly tests everyone's belief in the magic and spirit of Christmas.

Audition Dates and Times

August 27, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. (Registration at 6:30 p.m.)

Principal characters only: Doris Walker, Susan Walker, Kris Kringle, Fred Gailey, Mr. Shellhammer, Miss Adams

August 30, 2009 -1:00 p.m. (Registration at 12:30 p.m.)

All characters-- including principals unable to make the first night.

Audition Location:

12 Mile just west of Orchard Lake; Big white barn on North side of 12 Mile

Farmington Players Barn Theater

32332 West 12 Mile Road

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
Rehearsal Schedule

The rehearsal schedule has not yet been determined, but is likely to be 3-4 nights per week, and may include some Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Please bring a list of ALL CONFLICTS between August 31 and December 13 to the audition. Be sure to include any on-going conflicts; for example, "Has dance class every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m."

Mandatory Tech Rehearsal: November 14 (Time TBD)

Final Dress Rehearsal: November 18

Show Dates and Times

November 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

December 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

Note: All Thursday-Friday-Saturday shows at 8:00 p.m. Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Note to Parents

Parents of children who are cast will be required to help at rehearsals and performances. A schedule will be set that will include having a parent helper at each rehearsal and performance.

Cast of Characters

A complete list of character descriptions as well as audition cuts can be found on the Farmington Players Barn Theater website: www.farmingtonplayers.org

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact the director Amy Lauter: (248) 417-9818

About the Farmington Players Barn Theater

The Farmington Players began as an off-shoot of the American Association of University Women. Their first production, The Torchbearers, was performed at a local church. Later in the 1950s, after performing in various city and educational locations, the Farmington Players moved into an old dairy barn located on the site of their present facility on West Twelve Mile Road.

Initially, productions were staged downstairs on a dirt floor. Over the years, improvements to the original Barn transformed it into a more finished space, with the theater itself eventually moving upstairs into a traditional and finished setting.

Since 1953, the Farmington Players have staged more than 180 different musicals, dramas, mysteries and comedies, all as a community theater with 100% volunteer membership.

Residents of Farmington, Farmington Hills and beyond have come to recognize the group as a true community resource. Since the completion of its all-new, state of the art facility in 2003, the Farmington Players Barn Theater has expanded its mission, servicing as the site for city-sponsored events such as youth theater camps in the summer, concerts with groups as varied as Blackthorn and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and as a meeting place for various groups.

Miracle on 34th Street Production Staff List
Farmington Hills
Amy Lauter (Director)
Jill Heffron (Producer)
Pam Shapiro (Set Design)
Farmington
Valerie Knol (Producer)
Royal Oak
Michael Gingerella (Assistant Director)
West Bloomfield
Ellen Doman (Producer)
Phil Hadley (Set Construction)
Plymouth
Karen Southworth (Lighting Design)