Jefferson Performing Arts Society Announces Open Auditions For 2009-2010 Season 8/15, 8/16

Calling singers, dancers and actors ages 15+ August 15 & 16

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) will hold open auditions for its 2009-2010 Season Saturday & Sunday, August 15 & 16 from 1PM-5PM at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJ High School Auditorium), 400 Phlox Street in Metairie. JPAS seeks singers, dancers and actors ages 15 and up of all ethnicities.Auditioners should bring sheet music and prepare 16 bars (you may be asked to sing more) and an upbeat/comedic monologue. If you are interested in a particular role, please prepare a song that the character sings. Scores for most shows will be available after August 3 at the JPAS Box Office, 1118 Clearview Parkway in Metairie. An accompanist will be provided. Auditioners are asked to please be available for callbacks and a dance callback August 22 from 1PM-5PM at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call the JPAS Box Office 504-885-2000 ext. 202 to schedule a five minute audition slot.

Most lead roles in all shows are currently open unless otherwise indicated. All roles are paid. Rehearsal schedules are subject to change. Executive/Artistic Director Dennis Assaf and his production team particularly seek those with an aptitude for dialects, dancers who can tap and teens and young adult singer/dancers for all roles in FOOTLOOSE.

Please note, JPAS will hold youth auditions for the season and Theatre Kids! auditions for kids ages 7-14 later in the season. Please check back here for news soon!

JPAS is also accepting applications for technical positions in scenic, costuming, sound, lighting and stage managers for the 32nd Season. Please email your resume to Company/Production Manager Brian Schrader at production@jpas.org or fax to 504-885-3437 or mail to JPAS, 1118 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70001. As always, JPAS is accepting volunteers age 15+ to for various positions including house staff, administrative assistance and production assistance. Interested volunteers should contact JPAS Volunteer Coordinator Melinda Falgoust at callboard@jpas.org or call 504-885-2000 ext. 203.

2009-2010 Jefferson Performing Arts Society's 32nd Season

VIAGARA FALLS
A Comedy Play by Joao Machado and Lou Cutell
Performances October 2- October 18, 2009*, Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM (*there will be no show on Friday, October 16 due to Pasta & Puccini*)
Rehearsals begin Monday, September 7, 2009 through opening.
Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego
Directed by T. J. Castronovo
NEW ORLEANS AREA PREMIERE! On the night of his seventy-seventh birthday, Charley decides that what he and Moe need more than a balloon and a birthday cake is a fling (perhaps the last) with two "ladies of the evening." When only one girl, Jacqueline Tempest, a beautiful and sympathetic $100 per hour happy-hooker arrives assuring them she is enough girl for both of them, comedy ensues with rapid fire jokes and vaudevillian sensibility that is both hilarious and heart-warming. All roles open - seeking two male, age 50+ who can play 70+ year olds and one female, age 25-35.

Richard O'Brien'S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
Performances October 23-Nov 7, 2009, Friday at 7:30PM and Saturday at 7:30PM & 10:30PM *No Sunday Matinees!
Rehearsals begin Monday, September 28 through opening.
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego
Starring Lara Grice and Richard Hutton
Directed by Jerry Lee Leighton
That sweet transvestite and his motley crew are taking over the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre just in time for Halloween! Complete with sass from the audience and an array of other audience participation props, this deliberately kitschy rock 'n' roll sci-fi Gothic is more fun than ever! Seeking actress to play Janet and actor to play Rocky - all other roles have been cast.

The JPAS Production of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton
Performances Nov 28-Dec 13, 2009, Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM
Rehearsals begin Monday, October 5, 2009 through opening.
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox Street in Metairie
Directed by Robert Mulholland
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! This family favorite returns to the JPAS stage once again, just in time for the holidays! Step into the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town, then be transported into a mysterious and magical castle where objects come to life, a Beast lurks, and a Beauty finds true love! JPAS' production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is family theatre at its best! Most major roles and all minor roles including ensemble open, character actors and those with aptitude for dialects (English, French) are encouraged to audition.

FOOTLOOSE
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
Performances January 29-February 7, 2010, Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM
Rehearsals begin Monday, December 14, 2009 through opening.
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox Street in Metairie
Directed by FrAnnie Rosenberg
Life in small town Bomont is peaceful until big City boy Ren arrives. Breaking every taboo, Ren brings dance back into the heart of a town held back by the memory of a tragedy. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated score with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE explodes onto the stage with classic 80's anthems like "Holding Out for a Hero," "Almost Paradise," "Let's Hear it for the Boy" and, of course "Footloose!" All roles open - teens and young adult singers/dancers encouraged to audition!

NUNSENSATIONS! THE NUNSENSE VEGAS REVIEW
By Dan Goggin
Performances Feb 19-March 7, 2010, Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM
Rehearsals begin Monday, January 25, 2010 through opening.
Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego
Directed by "Uncle" Wayne Daigrepont
Choreographed by Lindsey Price
Musically Directed by Alan Payne
NEW ORLEANS AREA PREMIERE! When a parishioner volunteers to donate $10,000 to the sisters' school if they will perform in a club in Las Vegas, Mother Superior is hesitant to accept. However, after being convinced by the other sisters that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" Reverend Mother agrees. What follows is the most feather-filled, sequin-studded, fan dancing Nunsense show ever! All roles have been cast.

THE PRODUCERS
Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Music by Mel Brooks and Glen Kelly
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Performances March 19-28, 2010, Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM
Rehearsals begin February 1, 2010 through opening.
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox Street in Metairie
JPAS Broadway Pit Orchestra Conducted by Dennis G. Assaf
Down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, and his nerdy, young accountant, Leo Bloom, concoct a scheme to raise thousands of dollars from backers and then put on a guaranteed flop of a show "Springtime for Hitler." With all the money that will be leftover, the pair will be rich! Only one thing goes wrong: "Springtime for Hitler" turns out to be a gigantic hit! All roles open - especially seeKing Strong dancers and character actors that can carry a tune.

THE SICILIAN BACHELOR, A New Musical
Adaptation by Lou Cutell, Norma Helms and Tino Trischitta
Music & Lyrics by Carlo Verona
Based on an original Italian work by Nino Martoglio
Performances April 9-25, 2010, Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM
Rehearsals begin Monday, March 1, 2010 through opening.
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego
Directed by T.J. Castronovo
WORLD PREMIERE! See what happens in this rousing, knee-slapping musical comedy of errors that revolves around the return of Don Cola Duscio to his provincial hometown of Sicily with his unconventional and independent girlfriend. All roles open - seeking 3 females of various ages and 8 males of various ages, especially those with aptitude for dialects and the Italian language.

Calling all young singers! Jefferson Performing Arts Society will hold enrollment and auditions for their Children's Choirs and the second round of auditions for the NEW JPAS Jam & Jive Show Choir* August 3-5! Auditions will be held at at the JPAS Office, 1118 Clearview Parkway in Metairie, from 6PM-8PM Monday- Wednesday. AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call the JPAS Box Office at 504-885-2000 ext. 202 to schedule an audition time! (*formerly the JPAS Youth Chorale)

Children grades 3-7th are invited to join the JPAS Children's Chorus. Children in grades 1 and 2 are invited to join the JPAS Apprentice Choir. All auditioners should be prepared to sing Happy Birthday or a song of their choice. The audition will also include a vocal range check and pitch match/memory check to determine choir placement. A parent or legal guardian should accompany the singer to fill out all application materials. Past year Chorus members do not need to audition again; however, they must stop by the JPAS office to fill out the necessary paperwork.

Rehearsals for the JPAS Children's Choir are Thursdays from 5:45PM-7PM beginning September 3. There is a one-time tuition fee of $400 for the Children's Chorus plus additional costuming fees. Rehearsals for the JPAS Apprentice Choir will be Saturdays from 1:30PM-2:30PM beginning September 5. There is a one-time tuition fee of $300 for the Apprentice Choir plus additional costuming fees. Financial Need-Based Scholarships are available upon application.

Calling all young singers and dancers!
Jefferson Performing Arts Society is proud to introduce the NEW JPAS JAM & JIVE Show Choir*! As seen in the popular TV show GLEE, the JPAS JAM & JIVE Show Choir is a combination of high-energy movement and dancing with great vocal harmonies. More than singing in a group, JPAS JAM & JIVE Show Choir features dance and movement as an integral part of performances held at various venues and events throughout the 2009-2010 school year including several "surprise" performances for the public throughout the city beginning with pop-up "surprise" performances of Michael Jackson's "Thriller!" Teens and young adults ages 13-20 years are invited to join the inaugural season of the JPAS JAM & JIVE Show Choir. Young singers and dancers of all skill levels are welcome! JPAS JAM & JIVE Show Choir is directed by Mary Lou Fuenzalida with accompanist Garrett Fried. (*formerly the JPAS Youth Chorale)

JPAS JAM & JIVE rehearsals for the entire choir begin Thursday September 3 from 7PM-8:30PM and continue every Thursday through the Spring. One-time tuition fee for all members is $400 plus additional costuming expenses. Financial Need-Based Scholarships are available upon application.

Interested mature teens and young adults ages 17-20 are invited to also audition for the JPAS JAM & JIVE Junior Staff who will act as group leaders, dance captains and vocal captains in addition to being members of JPAS JAM & JIVE. Junior Staff will learn the routines first and then help teach movement and music to the rest of the choir. JPAS JAM & JIVE Junior Staff Orientation will be Saturday, August 8. Junior Staff rehearsals will be held every Thursday beginning Thursday, August 13 from 7PM -8:30PM and eventually merge into the general JPAS JAM & JIVE rehearsals beginning on September 3.

AUDITIONERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, however walk-ins will be seen as time permits. Please call the JPAS Office at 504-885-2000 ext. 202 to schedule an audition time. Auditioners for both general membership and the Junior Staff should prepare to sing and dress for movement. *Please note, JPAS Youth Chorale for those in grades 8-12 will not be in session this year - former Youth Chorale members are strongly encouraged to join the new JPAS JAM & JIVE!

Please contact Lynne Lawrence, Director of Youth Programs, with questions at 504-885-2000 ext. 211 or email lynne@jpas.or