Dates & Times
Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 4:30pm
Thursday January 9, 2020 at 4:30pm
Actors only need to attend one audition. Auditions start promptly at 4:30pm.
Audition Location
Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church
743 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201
Please park behind the church and follow the signs to the southwest door.
Production Team
Director – Melissa McElhone
Producer – Doug Meyers
Music Director – Sarah Baldwin
Choreographer – Aimie Smith
Costumes – Ellen Yoakam
Technical Directors – Jake & Susanna Ellis
About this Play
When Carl, a teenager, wants to run away from home, he applies for a job with the mysterious Professor Pinecone and his traveling magical marionette puppet show. He quickly discovers, however, that the position comes with all kinds of strings attached. In this play-within-a-play, Carl becomes Pinocchio and improvises his way through the story, meeting some familiar characters — including a cricket with an attitude, the devious fox and cat and the memorable Blues Fairy — as well as some new ones. With the help of this eclectic cast, Carl stumbles upon life’s lessons as he’s forced to make important decisions.
Performances
March 13, 14, 15, 2020
Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
The Middle School at Parkside Kiesel Auditorium
2400 4th St, Jackson, MI 49203
This production calls for…
Center Stage Jackson’s Youth Theater program is for Jackson County students that are in 3rd through 9th grade (no exceptions). See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more info about the Youth Theater program.
What actors should prepare for auditions
No preparation necessary. Newbies welcome!
What actors can expect at auditions
Actors will do short vocal and dance auditions (no prep needed) as well as a cold reading from the script with other actors.
A “cold reading” means reading from a script without being able to practice it beforehand. Please note that the production team will not have actors read for every character (or even the character the actor might want to play). The purpose of the reading is to find out how much volume and expression the actor can read with, as well as how they adjust to direction.
Character List – TRIO
- Professor: Puppet master.
- Madame Azure: Crotechety hag with blue hair.
- Carl/Pinocchio: Reckless teenage boy.
- Geppetto: Kind, elderly man.
- Cricket: Conscientious bug.
- Fox: Wily canine.
- Cat: Fickle feline.
- Motel Owner: Lacks hospitality.
- Motel Owner’s Wife: Allergic to pets.
- Sparky: Fire sprite.
- Peg: Wily woodpecker.
- Paul: Lumberjack with an ax to grind.
- Upholsterer: Chair carrier.
- Rug Rat: Carpet whacker.
- Blues Fairy: Magical matron with blue hair.
- Mary Annette: Wise and caring girl.
- Dipstick: Magnet for trouble.
- Driver: Cruel taskmaster.
- Donna: Donkey.
- Fannie Oakleaf: Owns a Wild West Show.
- Trina: Ballerina and choreographer.
- Tina Tuna: Plucky chicken of the sea.
- Chorus of Magical Marionettes and Townspeople
- Bug Chorus
- Villagers
- Backup Singers
- Students
- Revelers/Donkeys
- Tuna Fish
Rough Rehearsal Schedule
Initially, rehearsals will be held Monday through Thursday, from 4:30pm-6:00pm at Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49202.
On February 24th rehearsals will move to the Middle School at Parkside.
“Tech week” rehearsals March 9, 10, 11, & 12 will be held from 5:30pm-9:00pm. Performances will be held at the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 4th St, Jackson, MI 49203.
Contact
Youth Theater Committee Chair Doug Meyers at [email protected] or 517-539-4118.
