Theatre North Carolina

Please Visit the New Theatre North Carolina

This blog is now defunct. Please visit the new Theatre North Carolina, the official blog of the North Carolina Theatre Conference.

Welcome to the New Theatre North Carolina!

Two years ago Angie Hays, Executive Director of the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC), asked me to present a session on social media at the 2008 NCTC Producing Theatre Conference. At that point I had already been on Facebook for a few years, and I had developed a couple short-lived personal blogs. I was intrigued with social media and I thought, "Why not!" I started researching social media, RSS feeds, podcasts, Twitter, Facebook, blogs and more. I also thought it might make sense to start a new blog as an experiment and thus Theatre North Carolina was born. Now, two years and 1170 posts later, Theatre North Carolina is about to make a major change.

Theatre North Carolina has been many things: an experiment in social media; a forum for my personal thoughts and ideas; a resource for auditions announcements and arts jobs; a home for industry trends and articles; an outlet for my Glee and Spring Awakening obsessions; and, a photo album for my adorable poodle. At times I've posted information from across the state, and sometimes I've focused on theatre closer to my home in Durham. Over the past six months I've posted my weekend theatre-going itineraries and in the process I've seen over 50 performances at dozens of venues.

Theatre North Carolina, which now racks up more than 7,000 thousand hits per month, has become something more than the little blog I originally created as an experiment. It has become a true resource for the theatre industry in the state. It has become a home for theatre resources and it has become an expression of my personality. I've met dozens of people though this blog, and I've made some long-term friendships. I am forever indebted to this blog, NCTC and social media in general for giving me the opportunity to write about the things I love and keeping me busy in the process.

So, what's the big change? Well, everything! Theatre North Carolina has been completely redesigned and re-envisioned as the official blog of the North Carolina Theatre Conference. The look is different, the blog is different and the result is pretty cool! I think you'll like it! What does this mean? Well, it means that Theatre North Carolina won't be my personal blog anymore. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere! I'll be working with NCTC to gather information and give the theatre industry of North Carolina a comprehensive resources for news, jobs, auditions, trends and NCTC events.

There will be some other changes too. More than just the look and style of the blog, Theatre North Carolina will now only post news and announcements for NCTC Member Organizations. Due to space limitations we will not post any performance listings. We hope that theatres across the state, large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit, professional and community will all become active members of NCTC and Theatre North Carolina becomes even more of a comprehensive, statewide resource.

The mission of the North Carolina Theatre Conference is to improve and enhance the environment for quality theatre in North Carolina through service, leadership and advocacy. We need your support to make that fulfill this mission.  If you aren't currently a member, or if you represent an organization that isn't currently a member, we invite you to join us. For information about becoming a member of NCTC please visit www.nctc.org or email [email protected].

If you are a member organization and you have news or information you would like us to post, please email [email protected].

So, thanks for following Theatre North Carolina and being a part of my virtual world for the past two years. Shortly this version of Theatre North Carolina will disappear, but no worries, www.theatrenorthcarolina.com will direct you to the new blog. In the meantime click the image below to go to the new Theatre North Carolina!

Thanks so much!

Shane D. Hudson

Speak for the Arts - Monday May 24 in Raleigh

Speak for the arts!

The House Appropriations Committee will hold a 
public hearing on the state budget on Monday, May 24th.

The hearing will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University. Three community colleges across the state will host interactive broadcasts of the hearing and it will also be streamed live on the Internet.

YOUR ADVOCACY IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN FUNDING FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL'S GRANTS PROGRAMS.

Join other members of the Arts Community at 6:00 and sign up to speak at this important public hearing.

Each speaker will have up to two minutes to share information. 

You can also email comments concerning the budget to [email protected] up to midnight of May 25. 

Written comments postmarked by May 25 may be sent to House Appropriations Committee, Suite 401, Legislative Office Building, 300 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, 27603-5925. 

Additional information will be available at http://www.ncleg.net.
 

The community colleges that will serve as host sites are:
Bladen Community College, Dublin
Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte
Southwestern Community College, Sylva

Visit www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/colleges_map.aspx for contact information and driving directions to each campus.

Auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone - Not In Stock Theater Co.

Auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone

Saturday June 5 11am-???

High Point Community Theatre Rehearsal hall
305 North Main Street, Suite 322

Those auditioning should prepare a song and bring sheet music in the proper key. 

A headshot or recent photo and resume are recommended.

Visit
www.notinstocktheater.com for more information

Raleigh Ensemble Players to hold AUDITIONS for 2010/2011 ENSEMBLE

Raleigh Ensemble Players will hold open auditions for the company's 2010/2011 Ensemble on SATURDAY, JUNE 5th in its upstairs studio at 213 Fayetteville Street. 

Current Ensemble members will be able to sign up for a ten minute appointment between 2:30pm and 6pm on Saturday afternoon.  All other interested individuals should plan to attend ONE of two audition sessions:
 
11am to 2pm OR 6:45pm to 9:45pm
 
Complete information, including materials for preparation and titles of plays being considered for production during REP's 29th season, will be available at www.realtheatre.org on Friday, May 21st.
 
Questions concerning auditions should be directed to [email protected].

Auditions for BILLY ELLIOT National Tour - June 5 & 6

PRODUCTION TO HOLD OPEN AUDITIONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 9-12
IN RALEIGH ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 5 (BOYS) AND SUNDAY, JUNE 6 (GIRLS)

 

Time Magazine’s “Best Musical of the Decade,” Billy Elliot the Musical is brought to life by a phenomenal cast of 45 and the Tony Award-winning creative team – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls "HIS BEST SCORE YET!"

Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community.
 
Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions will be holding open auditions in Raleigh on Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6 to find boys and girls ages 9 through 12 to play the roles of ‘Billy’, ‘Michael’ and the ‘ballet girls’ in the North American companies of Billy Elliot the Musical.

The auditions will take place at the Carolina Dance Center (9101 Leesville Rd) in Raleigh. Boys’ auditions will take place on Saturday with sign-up at 11am. Girls’ auditions will take place on Sunday with sign-up at 10 am. Audition requirements are listed below. All ethnicities are encouraged to attend.  All must bring photo, resume, sheet music to sing, as well as ballet, tap and jazz shoes.

Boys audition requirements are as follows:

• For the role of Billy, boys should be ages 9-12, strong dancers, especially in ballet.  Maximum height is 4'10”. Unbroken voices.
• For the role of Michael, boys should be ages 9-12, a natural actor with a strong singing voice.  Funny, a real kid.  Tap skills are a plus.  Maximum height is 4'10". Unbroken voices.
• Boys should bring a recent photo, resume and sheet music to sing.
• They should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
• They should bring ballet shoes, jazz shoes and tap shoes, if they have them.
• All ethnicities are encouraged to attend.
• This audition is free, there are no fees involved.

 
Girls audition requirements are as follows:

• Maximum height is 4'10”.
• Strong tap, good ballet and singing.
• Variety of sizes, shapes and types with expressive character and lots of personality are being sought.
• Girls should bring a recent photo, resume and sheet music to sing..
• Girls should wear dance clothes.
• They should bring ballet shoes, jazz shoes and tap shoes.
• All ethnicities are encouraged to attend.
• This audition is free, there are no fees involved.

Billy Elliot the Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre (240 West 45th Street) on November 13, 2008 to extraordinary critical acclaim.  Billy Elliot was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry), Best Choreography (Peter Darling), Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti)

Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry, and choreographed by Peter Darling, Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a passion that takes him by surprise, and takes his whole family on an incredibly uplifting adventure.
In addition to the Broadway production, two additional North American touring productions will be on stage will begin in 2010. The first launched at Chicago’s Ford Center for the Performing Arts on March 18, 2010, and the second launches in Durham in November 2010. 

Billy Elliot the Musical, based on the beloved 2000 film, which garnered three Academy Award nominations and three BAFTA awards, opened at London’s Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim.  The Mail on Sunday wrote, “Truly electrifying…this heart-stopping show is a must-see.” The Sunday Express raved, “Pure magic.” And The Daily Telegraph proclaimed it simply, “The greatest British musical I have ever seen.” The production went on to sweep London’s nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards.  It celebrated its anniversary in May 2010.

Billy Elliot the Musical next opened to equal acclaim at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia in December 2007. The Australian wrote, “Billy Elliot should come with a warning: abandon cynicism all ye who enter. Open your heart, get out the tissues and surrender.”  The Sydney Morning Herald raved, “Joyously entertaining, Billy Elliot bursts into starry-eyed showbiz magic … A rapturous pinnacle of self-expression and fulfillment.” The Sunday Telegraph called it, “Bloody brilliant! Funny, exuberantly rude and heartbreakingly moving.” The production transferred to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on December 31, 2008 where it was met with equally acclaim. The Australian production was honored with 12 theatre awards, including Best Musical (Helpmann Awards, Sydney, and Green Room Awards, Melbourne).

Billy Elliot the Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre 240 West 45th Street) on November 13, 2008 to extraordinary critical acclaim.  Billy Elliot was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry), Best Choreography (Peter Darling), Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti)

Globally, Billy Elliot the Musical has now played to more than 4 million people, with a number of new productions in the works. New international productions are scheduled for Korea (August 2010), Japan (Summer 2011) and productions are in the works for Germany and Holland.

Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.  Nina Lannan and Devin Keudell of Nina Lannan Associates are the general managers for the North American productions.

For additional casting information, please visit the casting website at www.bebilly.com.

Billy Elliot the Musical will open the Second National Tour in the Triangle as part of Durham Performing Arts Center’s 2010/2011 SunTrust Broadway Series. Performances begin on October 30th will begin November 2nd and run through November 14th with preview performances on October 30th and 31st. Billy Elliot the Musical is currently on sale as part of the season ticket package.  Individual tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical will go on sale Monday, June 7th. Visit DPACnc.com for more information on how to be the first to purchase tickets to the Second National Tour Debut of Billy Elliot.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Seeks a Development Officer

Development Officer
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Durham, North Carolina

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is seeking a new Development Officer. Duties include maintaining current sponsors and donor base, expanding festival sponsorships, managing membership, and coordinating with all departments regarding signage, benefits and marketing for sponsors. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Applicants must have a demonstrated track record in fundraising with references. Full Frame occurs every April in Durham, NC, and is listed as one of the premiere documentary festivals in the United States by the New York Times. To discover more about the festival, please see www.fullframefest.org.

Application Deadline: June 11, 2010

Start Date: July 1, 2010

Full Time

No relocation fee, Salary TBD

Send resume, references and salary history to: [email protected]

NC Shakespeare Festival Presents Hands On Shakespeare Teacher Workshops

“The Play’s The Thing” Saturday Workshops Scheduled at NCSF’s Spirit Center
In High Point, July 24 & October 23, 2010, April 23, 2011

The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival will offer Hands On Shakespeare teacher workshops designed for middle and secondary English and Drama teachers as part of its Outreach Education program.  The six-hour workshops will be held on Saturdays, July 24 and October 23, 2010, and April 23, 2011, at NCSF’s new headquarters, Spirit Center, located at 807 W. Ward Avenue in High Point. 

NCSF’s 2010-2011 Hands On Shakespeare teacher workshops are designed to help educators continue to develop their skills in teaching Shakespeare, and "The Play's The Thing" workshops provide an opportunity for educators to get up close and personal with the works of Shakespeare. In a relaxed, collaborative environment, educators will become more comfortable with Shakespeare as performance.

Hands On Shakespeare teacher workshops are taught by NCSF’s Outreach Education Director, actor and teacher, Michael Huie, and University of North Carolina at Greensboro Department of Theatre professor and director, John Gulley.  Each workshop begins at 11:30 a.m. with registration, ending at 6:00 p.m., and includes six classroom hours toward CEU credits.

The comprehensive cost to participate in a Hands On Shakespeare workshop is $89, pre-paid to NCSF.  Advance registration is required, and space is limited for each workshop.  For complete details and to register for the July or October, 2010, or April 2011 Hands On Shakespeare workshops go to www.ncshakes.org/handsonshakespeare.cfm , or call 336-841-2273, ext. 223.
 
NCSF, PO Box 6066, High Point, NC 27262 / Administrative Offices: Spirit Center, 807 W. Ward Ave., High Point, NC  27260 / 336.841.2273 / www.ncshakes.org 

The Festival was founded in High Point in 1977 as a professional theatre company.

Over the years it has become recognized statewide for the professional quality of its productions, for its particular focus on the greatest and most popular of all playwrights, Shakespeare, and for its statewide service to schools via its touring programs and popular 10:00 SchoolFest matinees.

Since 1977, it has produced over 150 major productions of plays by Shakespeare and other world class playwrights. Nearly 2 million seats have been filled at its home venue, The High Point Theatre, and at colleges, civic centers, public and private schools statewide. Through its school touring programs, the company has performed in every North Carolina County, visiting hundreds of middle and secondary schools, many on numerous occasions.

“The Festival takes pride in its service as a cultural and artistic resource,” says Ken Hughes, Chairman of its Board of Trustees. “Our board views NCSF as more than a theatre company; we view it as an institution of civilization that enriches life, broadens citizens’ sensibilities, preserves cultural and historical pathways and, overall, builds community. Oh, and did I mention that it’s great entertainment, too, and that it employs citizens we’ve spent lots of money to educate and train as theatre artists and technicians at our colleges and universities?”

The Festival’s 2010 MainStage season will feature The Tempest performing at The High Point Theatre September 18 through October 3.

Actress Needed for Long Leaf Opera

Long Leaf Opera is looking to fill a non-singing role for their up-coming production of One False Move, a teen opera, which goes up June 4-6.  Minimal rehearsals will be involved.
 
The opera is an all-female, teen opera about teenage bullying.  They are looking for someone to play the character of a mom who only appears in one scene and is a speaking role. The mom can be anywhere in the age range of 30-50.
 
Please contact Ben Keaton at Long Leaf for further information.  You can contact him at [email protected]

Musicians Wanted for KING MACKEREL AND THE BLUES ARE RUNNING

The Winston-Sales Theatre Alliance is seeking a male pianist/vocalist and a male electric bass guitarist/vocalist to fill a couple of open slots in one of its summer shows, KING MACKEREL AND THE BLUES ARE RUNNING (see more information on the show below). This show was written by the PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES creators, and it’s the exact same style. The actors are musicians who sing a lot and talk a lot; the musicians have to be comfortable with dialogue.

It’s set on the Carolina Coast, and it’s a lot of fun---really leaves the audience with a feel of a mini-vacation!

It is a PAYING gig. Contact Jamie with your interest as soon as possible: (336) 508-1312 or at [email protected]://www.facebook.com/l/af37f;rr.com

Dates: July 30, 31, August 5, 6, 7 at 8 PM and August 1 and 8 at 2 PM, with a potentially added third weekend of August 12, 13, 14 at 8 PM and August 15 at 2 PM. Rehearsals begin June 1. Performances at Theatre Alliance, 1047 Northwest Blvd., Winston-Salem.

King Mackerel & the Blues Are Running
(Songs and Stories of the Carolina Coast)

Bland Simpson and Jim Wann with Don Dixon and J.L. Mills.

Tall tales and rollicking songs in the Diamond Studs and Pump Boys and Dinettes tradition transport audiences to the Outer Banks for a pleasant spate of fun and fishing. Staging a benefit concert to save the Corncake Inlet Inn, the lively cast of fishermen musicians sing up a storm, tell fish stories and ghost stories, and relate accounts of first loves and ones that got away.

"A pure salt watered delight...For a near vacation experience, it would be hard to beat."- N.Y. Times

"Pump Boy's cousin gives a good taste of the Carolina coast.... A breezy, whimsical musical review...[that is] the next best thing to a trip to the coast."-Wall Street Journal.