Tucson: Auditions for Readers' Theatre - Beowulf Alley Theatre

 

From: theatre [mailto:theatre@beowulfalley.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:05 PM

 

Beowulf Alley Theatre Company

11 South 6th Avenue

Tucson, AZ 85701

 

Contact: Gavin Kayner

brit4@mindspring.com

(520) 297-3317

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Call for Auditions for Readers’ Theatre

 

 

(Tucson, AZ – Oct. 28, 2008) Beowulf Alley Theatre is seeking actors for the first play reading in our inaugural evening of Readers’ Theatre on November 10. The play, Fruited Plain by John Cooper takes place in Colorado Springs, CO and explores the town's cultural, commercial and military life as it was in 1972, during the Viet Nam War and as it is today during the Iraq War.

 

There will be one rehearsal and one evening of performance. We are seeking both male and female characters. In the script, they are middle-aged.

 

Others who may be interested in auditioning for future readings are also welcome to call. Please contact Gavin at (520) 297-3317.

  

 

Beth Dell

Theatre Manager 

 

Beowulf Alley Theatre

11 South 6th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-4460 (office)
www.beowulfalley.org

theatre@beowulfalley.org
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, a 501 (c)(3) organization, is committed to enriching the community and enhancing appreciation of the arts through the production of innovative, invigorating theatre and theatrical education with the highest standards for acting and production. Beowulf Alley has received critical acclaim for its productions, including two Mac Awards and seven MAC nominations. The company has presented over 200 performances to Tucson audiences since 2002 and has served hundreds of artists through its productions. The theater also provides performance and rehearsal space for other Tucson theater companies. For more information, log on to www.beowulfalley.org. Equal and fair treatment will be provided to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status and/or marital status. We thank the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the Tucson Pima Arts Council and the Janet S. Brunel Residuary Trust for their support.

 

The Explorer - 'Night of the Dead'

The Explorer - The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson > El Sol > 'Night of the Dead'

'Night of the Dead'

Retired teacher's Southwest play hits Beowulf stage
By Laura Marble, The Explorer
Published:
October-22-2008

Many people know Gavin Kayner as the guy who taught with a puppet on his hand, spoke with theatrical flair and wore funny hats.

In 27 years as an educator for Amphitheater Public Schools, Kayner often used theater to interest energetic children in learning. A government lesson became an excuse to hold a school election. Lessons about civil rights inspired Kayner to write plays such as “Civil Wrong Righted” and “Drum Major for Freedom.”

These days, the retired teacher enjoys a less-raucous type of theater — the theater of the mind. He’s spent large portions of the past six years in quiet repose, writing plays for adults.

“It’s pure heaven,” he said. “I am obsessed by writing.”

Kayner’s handful of plays have achieved notable success. “Noche de los Muertos” was a semi-finalist for the Ashland New Play Festival, a Top 10 finalist for the Reva Shiner Award and third-place winner of the Chicano-Latino Literary Prize at the University of California in Irvine.

And on Saturday, Nov. 1, the play will debut at Beowulf Alley Theatre, where it will run through Sunday, Nov. 16.

“Noche de los Muertos,” which is in English despite its Spanish title, incorporates recognizable elements of Southwestern culture. Its theme came to Kayner during a trip to Mexico.

The retired teacher and his wife often travel to Magdalena de Kino, a town in Sonora, on vacation. One year, they arrived during a festival.

Each October, the festival of St. Francis Xavier draws people from Mexico and Southern Arizona, alike, who seek healing from a reclining statue of the saint. Kayner watched as people cupped their hands under the statue’s head solemnly, trying to lift it. According to lore, those who succeed are right with God.

The experience gave the playwright an idea.

“That thing with confronting your relationship with God in such a dynamic way got to me in a big way,” he said.

The result was a short story set during the Cristero War — a 1920s uprising in Mexico so named because the revolutionaries believed they were fighting for Christ. The war was one dark chapter in Mexico’s history of trying to sort out the roles of church and government.

In Kayner’s story, a school teacher named Magdalena shows up at a school to take a teaching post away from a priest. The resulting drama raises questions about the roles of the church and government, and the ritual of lifting the statue’s head plays a dramatic role at the end.

Kayner said he has ideas about the roles of the church and government, but he woudn’t share them.

“The play doesn’t answer any questions,” he said. “I put out the story and leave it to you.”

Kayner has attended rehearsals of Beowulf Alley Theatre’s production of “Noche de los Muertos.” He said part of him finds it challenging to write a play but not direct it — something he didn’t have to worry about during his days of teaching at Holoway Elementary School, working with the district’s Career Ladder program and serving as assistant principal at Keeling and Prince elementary schools.

But he said it’s also fun to see other people interpret his script. Tucson’s production of “Noche de los Muertos” will include a guitar player and a skeleton mime that he didn’t create, for example.

“You write it, and others are adding their own layer onto it,” Kayner said. “It’s magic when that happens.”

If you go

What: “Noche de los Muertos”

When: 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 1-16

Where: Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave.

Cost: $20 for general admission, $18 if paid online

Phone: 882-0555

Online: www.beowulfalley.org

Deadline - Beowulf Alley Theatre Company Seeks Directors for 2009-2010 Season

 

 Beowulf Alley Theatre Company Seeks Directors for 2009-2010 Season

Deadline Reminder

 

Contact: Beth Dell

(520) 622-4460

email: theatre@beowulfalley.org

 

(Tucson, AZ - October 15, 2008) — Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, 11 S. Sixth Ave., is seeking directors and play proposals for the 2009-2010 season. Complete instructions and applications are available online at http://www.beowulfalley.org/html/directors_submissions.html.

Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and may be submitted online, via mail or delivered in person. Supporting materials including a copy of the proposed script, one copy of the libretto for musicals and one copy of the musical recording are also required. For online applicants, supporting materials must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2008 to qualify for consideration.

For more information, call the theatre office at (520) 622-4460, or visit the web site at www.beowulfalley.org.

 

Throughout each year, guided by its Artistic Development Committee, Beowulf Alley Theatre will offer a selection of thought-provoking plays to Tucsonans and visitors to Tucson. Writers who cover the Tucson arts scene say the Theatre provides its audiences with “the best total package”—plays, performances, and productions that are high in artistic and technical quality.

 

A non-profit arts organization, Beowulf Alley was founded based on dialogues with local actors who wanted a permanent home for theatre artists from the Tucson community. Today, its intimate 95-seat theatre provides a facility that meets professional standards where performing artists, educators, and technicians can develop and present their skills. Because Beowulf Alley engages a talent pool that calls Tucson “home” for its productions, the Theatre is committed to helping grow a new generation of Tucson talent with its education programs for young people. And true to its roots, the Theatre maintains ongoing dialogues with the community, including Dialogues with theatre-goers after the first Sunday matinee performance of each of its season plays – an opportunity for theatre-goers to discuss the plays with the director and the performing artists.

 

 

Call to Playwrights, Beowulf Alley's Readers' Theatre

 Media Contact: Beth Dell

(520) 622-4460

theatre@beowulfalley.org

 

 

 

Playwrights are invited to submit scripts to Beowulf Alley's Readers' Theatre Program

READERS’ THEATRE AT BEOWULF ALLEY THEATRE COMPANY

 

(Tucson, AZ – October 14, 2008) Playwrights are invited to submit scripts to Beowulf Alley’s Readers’ Theatre Program. Information about the Readers’ Theatre Program is on the website at http://www.beowulfalley.org/html/playwrights_submissions.html. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE READERS' THEATRE PROJECT MAY BE MADE VIA E-MAIL AT theatre@beowulfalley.org. Submissions may be mailed to:

Beowulf Alley Theatre Company

Readers’ Theatre Program

11 S. 6^th Avenue

Tucson, Arizona 85701

 

 Please do not submit e-mailed scripts. Script submissions are ongoing.

 Dates for the 2008-2009 Monday night readings are:

Nov 10 & Dec 1, 2008; Jan 12, Feb 16, April 13 and May 18, 2009.

 

Playwright’s Responsibilities and Guidelines –

*One securely bound script in an accessible format

*Arrange for actors (Beowulf will help by holding auditions onsite if necessary)

*Arrange and manage one rehearsal at Beowulf

*Supply the required number of scripts for the reading

*Coordinate their efforts with and through Readers’ Theatre committee members

 

Beowulf will provide –

*An audition space and time (if required)

*Rehearsal space and time

*One Monday night reading on the Baron Stage

*Public announcements (This will be a pay as you will event)

*A committee member liaison to manage and coordinate the reading

 

PARTICIPANTS WHO PREFER TO HAVE THEIR SCRIPTS RETURNED VIA MAIL MUST INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE. SCRIPTS WILL BE HELD FOR PICKUP AT THE THEATRE OFFICE FOR THREE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE CLOSE OF THE READERS' THEATRE SEASON SERIES AFTER WHICH TIME THEY WILL BE DISCARDED.

 

PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR OWN LOCAL HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION AND CAN BE AVAILABLE AT ALL PRE-ARRANGED TIMES.

Tucson: Beowulf Alley Theatre - Auditions and Crew Calls for Readers' Theatre and Late Night Theatre

 

Beowulf Alley Theatre Hosts Auditions and Crew Calls for

Readers’ Theatre and Late Night Theatre

 

 

 

Tucson, Ariz. (October 4, 2008) — Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, 11 S. Sixth Ave., will hold auditions for two new activities: Readers’ Theatre and Late Night Theatre. The times and dates are as follows:

 

Late Night Theatre       Benjamin Hill by Wat Tom, directed by Michael Fenlason

A comedy with serious bits, that runs about fifty-five minutes.

 

Audition times:                  Wed., October 8, 2008, 7-9 p.m. and

Sat., October 11, 2008, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (sides will be provided)

 

Looking for:                       Man: 25-35; Woman 25-35; (2) Women 18-28

Stage Manager, Board Ops/Crew, and Anyone interested in helping

 

Time Commitments:           Rehearsal times will be largely dependent on availability of cast beginning

the week following auditions. 5 performances will be November 6, 7, 8 and

November 14, 15 at 10:30 p.m.

 

 

Readers’ Theatre         Fruited Plain by John Cooper (a staged reading)

 

Audition time:                    Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (sides will be provided)

 

Looking for:                       (2) men; (2) women; (1) man or woman for smaller bits

Volunteers to assist with front of house and some technical tasks.

 

Time Commitments:           Rehearsal times will be one evening prior to the staged reading and one

                                    staged reading on November 10, 2008.

 

 

A non-profit arts organization, Beowulf Alley was founded based on dialogues with local actors who wanted a permanent home for theatre artists from the Tucson community. Today, its intimate 95-seat theatre provides a facility that meets professional standards where performing artists, educators, and technicians can develop and present their skills. Because Beowulf Alley engages a talent pool that calls Tucson “home” for its productions, the Theatre is committed to helping grow a new generation of Tucson talent with its education programs for young people. And true to its roots, the Theatre maintains ongoing dialogues with the community, including Dialogues with theatregoers after the first Sunday matinee performance of each of its season plays – an opportunity for theatregoers to discuss the plays with the director and the performing artists. Writers who cover the Tucson arts scene say the Theatre provides its audiences with “the best total package”—plays, performances, and productions that are high in artistic and technical quality.

 

Arizona Daily Star

Wait Until Dark review excerpts
By Kathleen Allen
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona Published: 10.03.2008

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/260431:


"There are some shining moments, to be sure. Most notably Dallas Thomas as the blind housewife, Susy. She never broke character, always had the halting, feel-your-way stance of the sightless. And she was believable — both as a smart woman who could take on thugs and as a frightened woman who wasn't sure she was going to make it but would fight until the end.

Steve McKee's turn as a con man was at times gentle, others on the edge of sinister. He did a convincing job.

Chuck Rankin was strong in the smaller role of Susy's husband, Sam, and 14-year-old Molly Howard shows real promise as an actress.

Serving the story well is Joel F. Charles' set of an apartment that looks lived-in and seems to suit Susy and her husband. And Franklin Calsbeek Jr.'s creative lighting underscored the action. "

Tucson Weekly : Arts

Review excerpts
PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 2, 2008
By JAMES REEL

Dallas Thomas' performance as Susy is the best reason to see this show. She very precisely presents to us a formerly plucky woman who has now gone fragile; she's full of frustration and self-doubt, yet making a valiant effort to get by, even if she does occasionally give in to bitterness and self-pity. In the end, when she knows her life is in danger, her fear is palpable, but although she may tremble, she never falls apart. There are many contradictory aspects to this Susy Hendrix, but Thomas strings them together into a coherent whole.

Steve McKee is also good as the bad guy who goes by the name of Mike Talman. He's no angel, but he's too soft for this sort of business, and McKee starts revealing this softness (which is not to be confused with niceness) from his very first scene.

Roat, the ringleader, is played by Gary McGaha, who has wisely decided not to imitate Alan Arkin's spectacularly creepy film performance, which somehow melded Maynard G. Krebs with Fu Manchu. If McGaha, with his steady malevolent gaze, is channeling any screen actor, it's Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith in The Matrix; he's just a few sibilants away from hissing "Misssssss-es Hendrix." While McGaha scores points for consistency, he doesn't suggest the pleasure that Roat derives from manipulating and intimidating people, including his own henchmen.

Roat's other henchman, who impersonates a police officer, doesn't fare very well in the hands of Benjamin C. Dygert. On opening night, in the early scenes, Dygert's timing was a bit off, and later on, he resorted to a one-note characterization, even though the script leaves room for at least the sketch of a personalized melody.

As Susy's husband, Chuck Rankin isn't on stage long enough to show what he's capable of, but it's amusing to see this tall, somewhat bearish actor embrace the very petite Thomas; in Rankin's arms, Thomas looks about 12 years old, which is the most graphic representation of her character's vulnerability you can imagine. Speaking of 12-year-olds, let's not forget Susy's feisty upstairs neighbor Gloria, an angry and unreliable little girl played exceptionally well by Molly Howard.

Joel Charles has contributed a fine set design, and Lori Franklin-Garcia's costumes anchor the characters in the 1960s without resorting to silly fashion shorthand. And these characters must remain in the '60s--so much of the action hinges on telephone technology made obsolete by cell phones, 911 and the demise of phone booths.

If you have a taste for this sort of old-fashioned stage thriller, itself made obsolete by the rise of murder-mystery TV shows, you may well be satisfied by this production's overall pacing--and especially Thomas' performance. Other elements of Wait Until Dark, though, are needlessly murky.

Don't wait to see 'Wait Until Dark' - WildLife

Don't wait to see 'Wait Until Dark' - WildLife

Review excerpts

Don't wait to see 'Wait Until Dark'
By: Adam Daley
Posted: 10/1/08

The victim becomes the aggressor in "Wait Until Dark," a thrilling crime drama directed by Dave Sewell at the Beowulf Alley Theatre.

Susy Hendrix, performed brilliantly by Dallas Thomas, is a blind woman who becomes entangled in a desperate ploy to steal a doll filled with heroin.

The story starts slow but picks up quickly as the crime takes shape.

The animated Steve McKee plays Mike Talman, an expert con artist who steals Susy's trust in order to find the doll.

Benjamin Dygert acts as Talman's bumbling partner-in-crime, and they both answer to the evil head Harry Roat, performed by Gary McGaha.

An unlikely hero, Hendrix foils the meticulous plan when she cuts power to her apartment, plunging the theatre into dizzying darkness.

Thomas' performance in a challenging role is more than convincing.

The stage script, written by Frederick Knott, was adapted to film in 1968, and Audrey Hepburn first played Susy on the big screen. UA graduate Beth Dell manages Beowulf Alley, the small theater "Wait Until Dark" plays in through Oct. 12.

Beowulf Alley Theatre is located at 11 S. Sixth Avenue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2008 Arizona Daily Wildcat