Young Frankenstein Cast announced

Young Frankenstein Cast announced

Large LogoAfter two great nights of auditions, the cast for Young Frankenstein has been picked.  Such decisions are not easy, especially considering the amazing talent of all those who auditioned.  So here is the cast of the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein:

  • Frederick Frankenstein  – Evan Fifer
  • Inga – Devynn Byrd
  • Elizabeth  – Stephanie Sullivan
  • Igor  – Tom Varner
  • Frau Blucher  – Gentry Nessel
  • Monster  – John Volker
  • Kemp  – Patrick Donnigan
  • Victor  – Eric Sykes
  • Hermit – John Taylor
  • Ziggy – Tim Albaugh
  • Quartet  – Freddie Rice, Will Thomae, Eric Sykes, Michael Miller
  • Ensemble – Jamie Oestreich, Mary Knebel, Linda Collman, Diane Wingerter, C.J. Knebel, Courtney Hochuli, Angela Nuxoll, Megan Jakel, Katherine Kirchoff, Melanie Kozak, Matthew Crawford, Margaret Poletti, Kyle Wiegand, Sarah Rieke, Rebecca Eaton, Christian Dickerson, Freddie Rice, Michael Miller, Will Thomae

If you want to decline a role or have questions please contact the director, Hank Crider (cell – 314 308 9486) prior to Tuesday, May 28th. If we have not heard anything from you by then we will assume you have accepted your role. Also if you are an ensemble character, please realize that there are SEVERAL solos within the show as well as speaking parts that will be distributed throughout the ensemble.

First rehearsal?   7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 28th at the Highland Elementary Auditorium.

Congratulations to everyone in the cast.

Cast Announced for Disney’s Aladdin Jr. and Little Mermaid Jr.

First, a word from our directors, Brooke and Gentry . . .

“Thank you so much to everyone who auditioned and to the parents for being patient with us!  It was INCREDIBLY hard to cast this show because there was so much talent. 

Our first rehearsal will be THURSDAY MAY 9th at 5:30pm at Highland High School in The Kennel.   We will read through the script and discuss the rehearsal schedule and other details about the show.

 If you have any questions or comments please e-mail Brooke at or Gentry.

 Thanks!  Can’t wait for these AMAZING shows !!!!”

 And now what you have all been waiting for….

Cast List for Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

Cast List for Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr

For the first rehearsal, Each child should bring along a parent or guardian.  We will be discussing all details of the rehearsal schedule and expectations, and this would be a good opportunity to hear what’s going on.

And here’s something IMPORTANT – if you cannot attend the first rehearsal OR do not wish to accept the role for which you have been cast, please contact your director prior to Thursday night.  If we don’t hear from you and don’t see you on Thursday night, we will assume that you are not interested in participating.

Again – thanks to all who came out this weekend.  We’re all looking forward to an exciting summer!

Young Frankenstein Auditions

Young Frankenstein Auditions

Audition flyer#3 FINALHave you always wanted to release your inner monster?  If so, here’s your casting call for Young Frankenstein,  directed by Hank Crider.

Auditions will be on Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30 at the Highland Elementary Auditorium.  Callbacks will be on the following night, same time and location.  (For the uninitiated, callbacks are by invitation only.  You first must audition on the 22nd .)

For the audition, bring a Broadway-style piece – preferably around 32 bars and not from the show. Also be prepared to learn a short dance routine.

Unfamiliar with the show?  (Really?)  Well, Dr. Frankenstein – make that FRONKENSTEEN – aims to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life.  With help and hindrance from servant Igor, buxom assistant Inga and needy fiancee Elizabeth, his experiment yields success and unexpected consequences.   Based off of the cult 1974 film – Mel Brooks has created a Monstrous Musical Masterpiece that you don’t want to miss!

One final note – Young Frankenstein does have adult themes so anyone under 18 years will need parental permission to be in the show.  We’re not talking horrible stuff here – just not your normal PG stuff.

More Kid’s Auditions Information

More Kid’s Auditions Information

Our directors came up with some hints on how to best prepare for your audition:

Aladdin LogoSinging: 

    • Please prepare one of the 3 pieces to sing.
    • The character that the song is originally for does not need to be the part you are auditioning for, 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, but it couldn’t hurt you to show off your skills!
    • You will sing the song with the accompaniment CD (ie. No voices singing your part).  It is important that we see you can hold your own part with an accompaniment.
    • You will be asked to do some simple singing exercises to show us your range, these will be led by the director and will be simple.  Don’t worry!  We want you to do great!

 

Reading: mermaidLogo

  • Please be familiar with all of the readings, the director may choose ny of them for you to perform.
  • They DO NOT need to be memorized, just be comfortable with the text.
  • The director may have you read lines for a character that she doesn’t want to cast you for because she just wants to hear how your voice sounds.
  • Be flexible and show your personality!

Joke: 

  • Please be prepared to tell us your favorite joke! We want to see your personality and we also just want to laugh!

Personality:

  • This is the most important part!  Be yourself!

Links:

Kid’s Auditions Coming Up Soon!

Kid’s Auditions Coming Up Soon!

Kids Show Audition Flyer

It’s time to start getting ready to audition for our summer kid’s shows!

Two Disney Favorites – The Little Mermaid and Aladdin are making an appearance this summer at the Highland High School Kennel and if you are going into 2nd through 9th grade AND love to perform, it’s time to get ready to audition.

Auditions will be held at the Highland Elementary Auditorium on May 4th and 5th from 12:00 to 4:00 (Noon for The Little Mermaid and 2:00 for Aladdin). To prepare for your audition, you can download some music and a script excerpt to practice. To get the materials, follow this link and download the audition materials. If you practice, the auditions will a LOT easier for you.

Performances for Disney’s Aladdin Jr will be June 20th through the 23rd and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr will be July 11th through the 14th. There are good roles for boys and girls in BOTH shows so be sure to pick a show that doesn’t conflict with any of your summer plans.

Additional information will be made available as we think of it. Should you have any questions, Comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Good Luck!

Food Pantry Sweeps Pot from Odd Couple

Food Pantry Sweeps Pot from Odd Couple

Odd Couple donates to HACSM

The Highland Area Christian Service Ministry (HACSM) Food Pantry swept the pot from Hard Road Theater’s recent production of The Odd Couple. The benefit performance featuring John Jatcko and Bill Sullivan, and sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust, raised $5300 for the organization that helps area residents.

“This wasn’t just the hard work of our Hard Road volunteers,” said Sullivan, who also directed the production. “This is a testament to the heart and soul of Highland area residents. When there is someone or some place in town that needs help, the people in our town respond.”

Jatcko and Sullivan reunited to bring to life the classic duo of Oscar Madison and Felix Unger in Neil Simon’s timeless comedy. This was the second run of the show, which originally opened in January 2002. The show also brought together some of Hard Road’s earliest performers including Tom Varner, Wayne Steiner, and Rob Bowman as the poker-playing, unpredictably-funny buddies of Oscar and Felix, and Gentry Nessel and Meredith Canterberry as the crazy, but endearing Pigeon sisters. New faces were also seen in this production, including Jim Burgett as Speed.

“We had help from so many people and places to make this a success,” said Sullivan. “From the furniture donated by Tin Shed; the materials and manpower to build sets donated by Aviston Lumber, Southwest Construction and Highland Rotary Club; Highland Chamber of Commerce for helping us sell tickets, and many, many more.”

The show ran Feb. 1-3, with all net proceeds going to support the HACSM Food Pantry. HACSM began as an outreach project of the mission committee of a local church aimed to provide a food pantry for area residents in need. As the need increased, so did the facility, which is now housed in a 4500 square foot building located at 900 Chestnut Street in Highland, Illinois. HACSM’s service area includes Highland, Grant Fork, Alhambra, New Douglas, Pierron, St. Jacob, and Marine.

Seeing a delighted audience at the end of a production is usually the icing on the cake for most directors, but Sullivan says the good that has come from this production outweighs even that feeling. “Watching the community come together and support such a good cause is heartwarming,” he said. “The food pantry is doing great work in this community and deserves to be supported.”

Hard Road is still accepting donations to be passed along to HACSM Food Pantry. Anyone interested in making a donation should contact Bill Sullivan at (618) 654-2103 or bill@highlandmachine.com.