The ºÚÁÏÍø at Stark Theatre has announced open auditions for its second theatrical production of the season Virtual Devotion by Eric Coble, a member of the Playwrights’ Unit at Cleveland Play House.
Directed by Brian Newberg, Kent State Stark associate professor of theatre and theatre director, Virtual Devotion transports audiences to Armageddon. Three characters, Pete, Anne and Ruth – all members of a broken family – attempt to sell their faith to nonbelievers in various, and sometimes violent, ways, as a last-ditch effort to save souls, including their own.
Through a series of ironic, laughable and most unfortunate events, all of the characters, including the returned Son of God, Jesus Christ, find one another on the Home Shopping Network selling religious artifacts. Now reunited, is it too late to stop the end of the world?
Auditions for Virtual Devotion are open to everyone, including students and members of the community. Kent State Stark encourages diversity in casting.
Auditions will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29 in the Fine Arts Theatre, 6000 Frank Ave. NW in Jackson Township.
Roles are available for three men and three women. No children. Those auditioning may perform a prepared monologue, if they wish, and the director may also choose sides (selected scene excerpts). The production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23-24 and March 2-3, and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 and March 4, when ASL interpretation will be provided.
Rehearsals may begin Dec. 18-21, followed by a holiday break, resuming Jan. 3, and will occur five evenings a week until opening. Visit www.kent.edu/stark/theatre-auditions for more information about auditions for this production.
Roles:
Pete: A televangelist who preaches violence against sinners, until he contracts the plague.
Anne: A young telemarketer trying to raise funds to provide the book of Job to children in Sudan.
Ruth: A cynical woman, until she sees the face of Ezekiel the prophet in her tapioca pudding.
Jesus Christ: The returned Son of the Living God.
Lil: A telephone confession operator (actor also plays the roles of Rach, Peg and Joy).
Zach: A fabulous reverend for the Happy Halo ministry (actor also plays roles of Mark, Seth, Luke).
Actors also will be asked to play roles of various offstage callers, including TV announcers, etc.
Scripts (and audition sides or scene excerpts used for the auditions) are available for periods up to 24 hours in advance from the Fine Arts secretary by calling 330-244-5151 during business hours Monday through Friday.
Audition appointments are recommended but not required. Scripts and audition sides also will be available in the reserve area of the Learning Resource Center. To learn more about Kent State Stark’s Theatre Department, visit www.kent.edu/stark/theatre.