by Tom Varner | Apr 10, 2017 | Announcements, Auditions, Press Release
Sponsored by Staunton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Hard Road Theatre is proud to announce auditions for their summer musical: SISTER ACT. Based on the 1992 hit comedy movie of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, SISTER ACT contains all new original music written by Alan Menken. The plot follows Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer with dreams of stardom. She witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique dance moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.
Auditions for SISTER ACT will be held on Monday, May 22nd and Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. Those auditioning should be at least fifteen years-old. Those auditioning should come prepared with a Broadway-style song to sing. An accompanist will be provided, but no recordings will be allowed. In addition, those auditioning will learn a short dance routine, may be asked to read sides from the script, and should be aware of any conflicts they have from May 24th – Aug. 7th. SISTER ACT is directed by Evan Fifer. Performance dates for SISTER ACT are July 28th-30th and Aug. 4th-6th.
Additional Information About Production
Audition Form
by Tom Varner | Apr 10, 2017 | Announcements, Youth Auditions
Auditions for DISNEY’S THE LION KING JR. (sponsored by Bradford National Bank) are scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 23rd at the Highland Elementary School Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. Although some older students could be cast at the discretion of the director, in general, students auditioning for THE LION KING JR. should be in 2nd-8th grades (ages 7-14). Sign-ups for THE LION KING JR. will begin at 11:30 a.m. and auditions will be held from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Those wanting to audition for THE LION KING JR. should arrive before 12:00 p.m. All those auditioning should come dressed nicely. Pictures/headshots for publicity stills, program displays, etc. might be taken at auditions. ALL THOSE AUDITIONING MUST WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES: NO FLIP-FLOPS OR SANDALS. Also, PARENTS SHOULD COME PREPARED WITH STUDENTS’ AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE; ALL CONFLICTS NEED TO BE LISTED ON AUDITION FORM. Audition materials can be found through this link:
Audition Materials for THE LION KING JR.
Students should be prepared to sing at least one of the songs and be prepared to read one of the parts. NEITHER THE SONG NOR THE LINES HAVE TO BE MEMORIZED. Be yourself and act natural!
Performance dates for THE LION KING JR. are scheduled for June 22-25.
Lastly, here are some hints to prepare for auditions for THE LION KING JR.
Singing:
- 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.
- 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 favorite joke. The directors may or may not ask for this. In doing so, they want to see your personality (and also just laugh!).
Personality:
- This is the most important part: be yourself and have fun!
by Tom Varner | Mar 30, 2017 | Announcements, Auditions, Press Release, Uncategorized, Youth Auditions
Auditions for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY (sponsored by Scott Credit Union) are scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 23rd at the Highland Elementary School Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. Although some younger students could be cast at the discretion of the director, in general, students auditioning for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY should be in 6th-12th grades (ages 13-18). Sign-ups for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY will begin at 2:30 p.m. and auditions will be held from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Those wanting to audition for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY should arrive before 3:00 p.m. All those auditioning should come dressed nicely. Pictures/headshots for publicity stills, program displays, etc. might be taken at auditions. ALL THOSE AUDITIONING MUST WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES: NO FLIP-FLOPS OR SANDALS. Audition materials (recordings, sides, sheet music) for the audition can be found here or at the link below.
FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY Audition Info
Performance dates for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY are scheduled for July 13-16.
Lastly, here are some hints to prepare for auditions for our FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY.
Singing:
- If you are a male, be prepared to sing “Be Yourself.” If you are female, you may sing any of the other songs.
- 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.
- 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 favorite joke. The directors may or may not ask for this. In doing so, they want to see your personality (and also just laugh!).
Personality:
- This is the most important part: be yourself and have fun!
by Tom Varner | Feb 16, 2017 | Announcements, Press Release
Hard Road Theatre will be holding our annual trivia night on Saturday, March 4th at the John Wildi Masonic Temple located at 721 9th St., Highland, IL 62249. Doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $100 per team with a maximum of 8 people per team. There is a limit of 15 tables, so it is advised that you reserve a table ahead of time. Trivia questions are general knowledge questions. There will be free snacks. Soda and water will be available for purchase and alcohol is permitted at the venue. In addition to the trivia contest, there will be a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction, and a table decorating contest. Items available for bid in the silent auction include autographs from Hollywood celebrities, St. Louis Cardinals tickets, tickets to Stages St. Louis, amusement park passes, original Broadway memorabilia , gift baskets, and over 25 other items. For more information about the trivia night, information about Hard Road’s upcoming season, or to reserve a table for the trivia night, please email tom@hardroad.org or call 217-556-6399.
by Tom Varner | Jan 12, 2017 | Announcements, Auditions
Auditions for OUR TOWN for tonight (Thursday, January 12th) are still a go! They begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland Elementary Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. However, if you were planning on attending auditions tomorrow (Friday, January 13th), those have been re-scheduled to Monday, January 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the same location. Callback auditions have also been changed from Saturday, January 14th to Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30p.m. at the same location. If you have any questions If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the director, Chris Weckler at chris@hardroad.org.
by Tom Varner | May 5, 2016 | Announcements, Auditions
Sponsored by Staunton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Woodforest National Bank, Hard Road Theatre is proud to announce auditions for their summer musical: HAPPY DAYS. Based on the tv show of the same name that starred Henry Winkler and Ron Howard, HAPPY DAYS follows Richie Cunningham, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, and their friends and family as they attempt to save Arnold’s Diner from destruction in 1959 by holding a sock hop and wrestling competition.
Auditions will be held on Thursday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are nearly thirty roles available for teenagers and adults. Those auditioning should come prepared with a Broadway-style song to sing. An accompanist will be provided, but no recordings will be allowed In addition, those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and may be asked to read scenes from the script. Please be aware of any conflicts you have from May 20th – August 7th. HAPPY DAYS is being directed by Lori Wahl.
Callbacks will be on Friday, May 20th at the Highland Elementary School. Performance dates for HAPPY DAYS are July 29-31 and Aug. 5-7.
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.