News

Playhouse's Studio 52 calls for young actors, singers

By Bill Moss, Published: August 28, 2016

The Flat Rock Playhouse will hold an open house at its Studio 52 youth theatre space from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to provide parents and potential students the opportunity to tour the facility, talk to the faculty and enjoy light refreshments. A general information meeting will be held at 6:30.

In the coming weeks, Studio 52 will hold auditions for two productions and for a new youth chorus.

Here are the details:

• Auditions for The Shadow Queen will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, and 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Studio 52, 1855 Little River Road. Olivia Palmer will author and direct this production which is an Appalachian retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson classic, The Snow Queen. “No prior experience is necessary," says Palmer. "It’s my job to prepare the actors to take the stage. It’s their job to be willing to memorize lines, attend rehearsals, and commit to having fun!” The Shadow Queen is a play with music, therefore Palmer will also be looking for actors who sing or play musical instruments, specifically guitar. However, the ability to sing or play music is not a requirement to be cast. There will be an audition prep class for the play on Thursday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. The class is designed to enable students to have a better audition experience by helping them prepare the materials for auditions in advance.
• Auditions for A Thousand Cranes will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 9 and 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10. Dave Hart will direct the production. "A Thousand Cranes is a story told through the life and culture of a young girl from Japan in the aftermath of WWII, presented with many elements of Japanese theatre,” says Hart. “I’m looking for enthusiastic, dedicated, and committed young actors who are interested in creating a tight working ensemble to represent, understand, and step into this important historical moment.”
• Auditions for a new vocal group made up of singers 13 to 18 years old will be held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. Students selected for the elite vocal group will study the music of the Great American Songbook and popular song.

Last May Studio 52 welcomed a new general manager, Wendy Jones, a long-time Vagabond who is deeply dedicated to arts education and Flat Rock Playhouse.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have had the opportunity to step into this position," said Jones, who will direct the new vocal group. “To have had the chance to perform all over the world and now bring some of that knowledge back to my home town and help other students follow their dreams is a humbling and gratifying prospect. And, we’re also very excited to announce what everyone has been waiting for...auditions!”

For more information or to register for audition prep classes visit www.frpstudio52.org. Studio 52 staff can be reached directly during administrative hours (Monday through Friday, 10am-12:30 and 1:30-3pm) by calling 828-693-3517 or emailing Studio52@flatrockplayhouse.org