Auditions Set April 8-10 for ‘Cinderella’ Summer Musical
/Performances Scheduled for Late July in ASC’s Bellamy Theater
The Arts & Science Center is looking for performers to help bring a classic fairy tale to the stage this summer.
In-person auditions for the musical Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella are set for April 8-10, 2022, at ASC’s main building, 701 S. Main St. in downtown Pine Bluff.
Auditions are by appointment only, and can be arranged by completing the online form. Video auditions are also being accepted through April 10; performers may submit their video with their registration through the same link.
The performances are July 22-24 and July 29-31, 2022, and performers must be available for all shows. Rehearsals begin in late April.
The production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.
Cinderella includes roles for ages ranging from teen through older adult. The roles include that of Ella (soprano); Prince Topher (baritone); Ella’s cruel stepmother, Madame (mezzo-soprano); stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte (both mezzo-soprano); and Marie (soprano), a quirky eccentric who is later revealed as Ella’s fairy godmother in disguise.
Other roles include that of Jean-Michel, an enthusiastic revolutionary; Sebastian, the prince’s Lord Chancellor; and Lord Pinkleton, Sebastian’s second-in-command and the herald for all royal events. There are also numerous ensemble roles available for teens and adults.
In Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the smart and beautiful young Ella lives in the care of her wicked, self-absorbed stepmother and stepsisters, Charlotte and Gabrielle. Her only friends are “crazy Marie,” revolutionary student Jean-Michel, and the animals in the woods. Meanwhile, Prince Topher is trying to learn his place in the kingdom. When his advisor Sebastian suggests throwing a ball so the prince can meet potential brides, Ella and Topher’s different worlds come together.
ASC’s Theater Programs Director Lindsey Collins will direct Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
ASC’s Theater Programs Director Lindsey Collins will direct, with Joel Anderson as assistant director.
“While the story of Cinderella has always felt like a timeless fairy tale to me — the notion of being whisked away from the toils of our lives by a prince (or having a host of singing mice and bird friends to share in the day to day) — this reimagining instead feels timely and so welcome,” Collins said.
This version of the Cinderella story opened on Broadway in 2013 with an adaptation for the 21st century, while keeping the well-loved musical stylings of Rogers & Hammerstein intact.
Collins explained, “Douglas Carter Beane created a new book for the show with the goal of creating a fairytale for today. The show’s focus shifted from love at first sight to themes of social justice, of calls for charity, generosity, kindness and the ability to reform those around us through forgiveness. The King and Queen are removed; Jean-Michel, a firebrand concerned with the needs of the poor in the community is added and becomes the love interest of one of the not-so-wicked stepsisters. More importantly, Topher (the prince) becomes a well-intentioned and three-dimensional young man though one riddled with self-doubt; Ella becomes a young woman seeking to challenge the status quo. Her fairy godmother rewards her with the invitation to the ball; her glass slippers and magical gown as a reward for her selflessness and compassion.”
Collins encourages anyone regardless of experience to audition. There are also many behind-the-scenes opportunities.
“This production is for EVERYONE, no matter how much or how little theater experience you have,” Collins said. “For those that might be hesitant to audition because they think it's impossible that they'll be cast, I have one thing to say, “‘Impossible things are happening every day!’”
Collins did want to emphasize that it is a “big time commitment,” she said. “Usually, rehearsals will start off three times a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, but after about the first month, we will add Saturday or Sunday afternoon rehearsals to that. We are very conscientious of people’s schedules, and try our best to work with everyone's conflicts, especially with it being during the summer. However, we have started recording rehearsals, particularly choreography rehearsals and emailing them to the entire cast, or uploading them to our show Facebook group so they can brush up, or even learn from the videos. Faron Wilson is our music director, and he goes above and beyond by sometimes scheduling rehearsals with people outside of normal rehearsal times, as well as creates recordings of their vocal parts, just in case anyone ever needs a little more help with their music.”
Collins continued, “A lot of people put a lot of time and effort into putting on a show, especially a musical, but the juice is definitely worth the squeeze!”
For more information, contact Collins at lcollins@asc701.org or call 870-536-3375.
