by Tom Varner | Apr 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
With the closure of FIRST DATE this weekend, our 15th Season has now officially come to a close. It’s been a great season that included our biggest production ever (SHREK), a state and regional premiere (DRINKING HABITS 2), and our first ever spring production (FIRST DATE). It’s been an amazing 15 seasons and we are grateful to everyone who has been a part of Hard Road over the years: patrons, casts, crews, and board members. With that said, our 16th season is already underway (auditions for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. were this weekend) and we look forward to bringing the same high quality theatrical productions to the greater Highland area for another 15 seasons and beyond. We look forward to seeing you in the audience or, perhaps, even onstage or beyond the scenes at one of our productions in the future. THANK YOU for your support!
by Tom Varner | Apr 24, 2016 | Casting
We say something similar every year, but SERIOUSLY, this was an extremely difficult process because we had so many talented youth auditioning. Everyone did a great job and we were excited to see everyone strive to do his/her best! We hope that anyone who did not get a role this year will definitely keep trying and that we will see you back at auditions next year!
For those of you who are in the cast, congratulations! This week your first rehearsal is Thursday, April 28th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Louis Latzer Library at the back of the children’s library downstairs. Students can ONLY BRING WATER. Be sure to check this posting for changes and updates.
During the read-through on Thursday, April 28th, there will also be a MANDATORY PARENTS’ MEETING. Bring your $40 fee with you that evening.
Without further ado, here is the cast list for 2016’s DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.!
Belle – Katie Schwarz
Beast – Caleb Stratton
Gaston – Dietrich Gossmeyer
Lefou – Patrick Boulanger
Narrators – Carleigh Robinson, Autumn Meyer, Claire Paul, Julia English
Maurice – Talon Vrell
Lumiere – Cole Reed
Cogsworth – Spencer Powers
Mrs. Potts – Anna Bruss
Chip– Wilson Boulanger
Madame – Elizabeth Evans
Babette – Haylie Gombos
Rose – Mandy Mayfield
Ottoman – Lizzy Rheaume
Beggar/Enchantress – Emily Cecil
Monsieur D Arque – Sammy Maddox
Bookseller – Brandon Eye
Silly Girls– Kayla Peery, Sarah Lipski, Justina Thomae, Madison Autry, Amara Vrell, Maya Thomilson
Villagers –
Jessica Olliges, Kaitlyn Borror, Hunter Gombos, Madi Crawford, Julia McPhillips, Ellen Nuxoll, Bailey McPhillips, Julia Beil,
Gracie Powers, Leah Connelly, Haleigh Perry, Sophia Himsel, Isaac Reike
Guests –
Madyson Whicker, Fayth Whicker, Addy Goodwin, Brooke Rheaume, Katherine Epson, Kendal Devlin, Haley Pokorny, Emily Cecil,
Julia McPhillips, Bailey McPhillips, Destiny Odle, Abby Cocran, Andrea Cocran, Ryann Krotz, Lily Niebrugge
by Bill | Apr 6, 2016 | Casting
This is it! Now, for the first time ever, you are able to download posters of your favorite FIRST DATE characters – and characters they are. Click on your favorite and download a full size poster – share it with your friends, use it as your wallpaper on your phone or computer, print it and hang it on your wall at home or the office. Let everyone know that this fine cast will be performing in Highland for only five performances. That’s right, only FIVE!
So get your posters and tickets today. Print one or print them all. You may never get this opportunity again!
by Tom Varner | Apr 4, 2016 | Press Release, Shows
Hard Road Theatre Productions in association with the Highland Arts Council invites you to join them for an evening of humor and romance during their production of First Date.
Set in the present day in New York City, First Date is a one-act musical that follows a blind date between newbie Aaron and serial-dater Casey. They meet for a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers, and potential conversational land mines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives? First Date is a hysterical and hopeful musical about the chances we all take to find love. The show features adult content and is not appropriate for younger audiences.
Directed by Bill Sullivan, the cast is composed of a group of Hard Road veterans and includes Breanna Noe as Casey and Evan Fifer as Aaron. The other members of the cast are Josh Noll, Megan Noll, Gentry Nessel, Megan Ritter, and Tom Varner. David Wilton is the show’s musical director.
First Date performance dates are April 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 17 at 2:00 p.m. Performances will be held at the Highland High School Kennel at 12760 Troxler Ave., Highland, IL. Ticket prices are $12 and can be purchased online (www.hardroad.org) or at the door.
Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit theatre organization committed to providing Highland and the surrounding area with high-quality, affordable, live theatre productions. For more information about First Date or Hard Road Theatre visit the Hard Road website, send an email to tom@hardroad.org, call 618-409-6286, or visit the Hard Road Facebook page.
by Tom Varner | Apr 1, 2016 | Auditions, Youth Auditions
Here is the audition information needed for our 2016 summer youth musical auditions.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Auditions for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. will be held at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL 62249 on Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday, April 24th from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sign-ups for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. begin at 11:30 a.m. and auditions for that show will go from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. THOSE WANTING TO AUDITION MUST ARRIVE BEFORE 12:00 p.m. TO AUDITION. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 12:00 P.M. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO AUDITION! In addition, all those auditioning should come wearing closed-toe shoes: no flip-flops or sandals. Music, recordings, and etc. needed for auditions can be found on the link above as well as here for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.
Performance dates for DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. are scheduled for June 23-26.
Here are some hints to prepare for auditions for our youth summer musical.
Singing:
- Please prepare just ONE of the chosen pieces to sing.
- The character that the song is originally for does not need to be the part you are auditioning, pick the song that best suits your voice! Also, sing the song in the octave that is comfortable for you.
- It is NOT required that the song be memorized.
- You will sing the song with the accompaniment CD (i.e. No voices singing your part). It is important that we see you can sing your own part with an accompaniment.
- You may be asked to do some simple singing exercises to show us your range. We want you to do great, so relax and don’t worry!
Reading:
- Please be familiar with all of the readings as the director may choose any of them for you to perform.
- The readings DO NOT need to be memorized (just be comfortable with the text)!
- The director may have you read lines for a character that he/she doesn’t want to cast you in because she just wants to hear how your voice sounds.
- Be flexible and show us your personality.
Joke:
- Please be prepared to tell us a QUICK joke. In doing so, the directors want to see your personality (and also just laugh!).
Personality:
- This is the most important part: be yourself and have fun!
