The Chatham Community Players will hold open auditions for the 27th annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival on Tuesday, June 1st and Wednesday, June 2nd at 7pm at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham. Performers must check in when they arrive, then wait in their cars until called in to audition. Performances will take place on August 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th at 8pm and August 15th at 7pm. For directions or additional information, please visit www.chathamplayers.org.
The Chatham Community Players are committed to diverse and inclusive casting, and performers of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities are encouraged to audition. The Board of Trustees requires all performers be fully vaccinated prior to the first performance date. Questions may be sent to jerseyvoicesnj@gmail.com.
Sides and audition forms will be available on Monday, May 10th on the CCP website. Performers are encouraged to print and bring their audition form and their own copies of sides of the pieces they are auditioning for, but auditions forms sides will also be available at the theater.
Presented One-Act Plays are:
“Bernice’s Birthday” by Brigid Amos, Directed by Joann Lopresti Scanlon: A cantankerous husband takes his wife of many years out for birthday celebration. What to order? Outdoors? Indoors? The second he steps away, a young attractive musician steps in to serenade her. Trouble brews.
- Lloyd (M, 50s +) Bossy to nasty
- Bernice (F, 50s+) Compliant, annoyed, disappointed, strong
- Musician (M) Nonspeaking, plays guitar and sings (both are great, one or the other is acceptable)
“The Villager Photo” by Charles Grayson, Directed by William Michael Harper: In this absurdist comedy, a recent Pulitzer-prize winning photographer battles his conscience during a clandestine rendezvous with a high-level intelligence officer who demands the secret behind a viral photo.
- Reed (M or F, 20s-40s) A young, up-and-coming photographer who lets their conscience get in the way of success. Comedic chops a must.
- Gideon (M or F, 40s-70s) A mysterious character reminiscent of a film noir gumshoe. Think classic Humphrey Bogart.
“My Dad is Bald” by Minjae Kim, Directed by John A.C.Kennedy: Two high school friends grapple with each other’s preconceptions about family, image, childhood loss, the evolution of relationships, the value of the present moment, and the cultural implications of a really short haircut - all during a half-court game of basketball.
- 2 Asian Males, 14-17, who can bounce a basketball
“Cloud Illusions” by Amber Kusching, Directed by Arnold Buchiane: A chance meeting between two people can have an effect on both of their lives.
- Joan (F, early 20s)
- Mitchel (M, late 30s-early 50s) Respectable looking
“A Dave with Destiny” by Ken Preuss, Directed by Elizabeth Rogers: Dave and Destiny meet on a street corner and struggle to discover why they both recognize each other. Are they crazy? Have they met before? Is there a deeper connection? Perhaps all three.
- Dave (M, 25-55) Somewhat straight-laced guy. The kind of guy you could meet at a party and easily forget.
- Destiny (F, 25-55) Free spirit with a bit of an edge
“A Benevolent Alliance of Mourners” by Ken Preuss, Directed by Lionel Ruland: Daniel, home from college for the funeral of a friend, and Ellie, hired to sing at the service, meet by chance outside the church, conversing, confessing, and connecting in unexpected ways.
- Ellie (Female presenting. Around 20 years old) Sarcastic but sincere. Disaffected by years of singing at funerals, and perhaps wise beyond her age.
- Daniel (Male presenting. Around 20 years old) Out of sorts by the death of a friend. Uses humor to hide his pain.
“Bigger Than Pretend” by Robin Rice, Directed by Jackie Jacobi: A homeless couple uses their imagination to dream away their circumstances; but some challenges are too great, even for make-believe.
- Wadsworth (F, 40s-60s) Imaginative. Chatty. Homeless. Remington's significant other.
- Remington (F, 40s-60s) Reserved. Depressed. Homeless. Wadsworth's significant other.