| | ABOUT US
| | |
Mission
Playhouse Merced enriches, engages and entertains the diverse communities of Merced and the Central Valley by providing
exceptional live theater and arts education rooted in strong community involvment.
History
Founded in 1994 as the Merced Center for the Performing Arts, Playhouse Merced has grown over the years into the area's premier
theatre organization, presenting a Mainstage season of at least a dozen shows annually in its two performance spaces. Additionally,
the youth Conservatory offers after-school instruction in theatre, voice and dance, provides educational opportunities through outreach
to outlying communities and presents two acclaimed theatre summer camps for youth.
Factoids
Playhouse Merced is one of Merced County's "Top Ten Attractions," with over 20,000 visitors annually, with upwards of 40% of those
visitors from out of town. Playhouse Merced boasts a budget, staff and theatrical offerings that are more in line with a city of 200,000 - 300,000, than with the 75,000
that make up the city of Merced. Going into our18th season, Playhouse Merced offers musicals, dramas, comedies, classics and children's theatre offerings, all created
with an attention to detail and professionalism, by a mixture of professional staff, community actors and volunteers and visiting artists. The performing arts promote CULTURAL TOURISM, which is a key component in the economic development of any metropolitan area. Arts and culture contribute to the identity and cohesion of a community, help to increase literacy, break down social barriers and help foster
economic development and civic improvements.
|
| Back to Top |
| COMPANY BIOS Playhouse Staff
Robert Hypes - Artistic Director
robh@playhousemerced.com
Noelle Chandler - Education Director
point.your.toes@gmail.com
Chad Phillips - Technical Director
chadphillips.tech@yahoo.com Adam Miller - Operations and Special Events Manager
adammiller.phm@gmail.com
Jim Kocher - Communications / Marketing
jimkor@playhousemerced.com |
| Board of Directors
President - Marilyn Fauerbach Vice President - Bill Cook Secretary - Bruce Logue Treasurer - Carol Longobardi
Members - Richard Barnes, John Mayer, Jennifer Ossowski, Melissa Proietti, Valiant Reyes,
Kathy Wagner, David Zacharias Ex-Officio Members - Maciej Ossowski, Dunya Ramikova, Suma Thondapu, Ellie Wooten, Tony Varni, Terry Bohlke Company Doctor - Maciej Ossowski, M.D. Company Photographer - Tom Frazier
Back to Top |
| AUDITIONS
All Playhouse Merced auditions are open to all members of the community.
We'd love to see you come by and try out for an upcoming show. It's fun! We're nice people!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Upcoming Auditions! Scroll down this page to see other upcoming auditions dates -- character breakdowns
and additional information will follow as audition dates are closer. Please check back.
Auditions dates are not set in stone and may change
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Playhouse Merced Gateway Playwriting Project One Acts
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Playhouse Merced, with a grant from the James F. Irvine foundation, will present 8 one-act plays featuring
the city of Merced as their common backdrop. Eight plays were written by local playwrights and will be
presented at the Multi-Cultural Arts Center on April 27 and April 28. Auditions are being held for actors. on Satruday, February 11, 2012
Listed below are the shows, their titles and playwrights, and show description.
Also, a list of the characters in each show to provide auditioning actors a sense of how many roles are available.
Those auditioning DO NOT have to have a prepared monologue. Instead, you will read some selections from some of the plays.
"The Window" By Jenell Barnes
Director Unassigned Synopsis- Fay reminisces about her life spent with her husband Oscar, living in the central valley and trying to make a difference in the world around them and to their children and grandchildren. A heart-warming story of family and love. Three parts available
Fay- Grandmother
Oscar- Fay's Husband
Maggie- Fay's Granddaughter - - - - - - - - - - "Untitled" by Debbie Bennett
Director Sheila Noel Synopsis- a hilarious and madcap look at the Merced court system, full of stories gathered by Ms. Bennett from community members around the area. The idea is that, sooner or later, everyone gets jury duty, and these are the stories of the many people one might encounter while there. 10+ roles available
Chrystal- mid 30's, not well educated, bad attitude
Melinda- Mid 40's Mexican American
Vince- Mid to late 60's Mexican American, larger than life, story teller, Melinda's Uncle
John- mid' 50's to late 60's Japanese American
Clerk- female
Phil- late 40's
Travis- late 40's
Sarah- female, late 40's, early 50's
Bill- mid 50's cynical, Public Defender
Anne-late 20's- early 30's new Deputy District Attorney - - - - - - - - - - "Untitled" by Casie Bonstein
Director Michelle "Mike" Kittel Synopsis-
Madi, a young girl who is left alone alot, goes to the Merced public library with her studious friend, Shelli. There she falls asleep while Shelli studies and is transported into a variety of book worlds where she learns about family and how to be content and understanding of her family's obligations rather than search for adventures. A fun and witty play written by the youngest of the Gateway Writers. The parents of Madi will also be playing the characters she meets through her adventures in the books, including medieval knights, and gangsters. Four available roles
Madi- A young girl ages 12-14
Shelli- a young girl, aged 12-14
Madi's Mom- able to play a variety of roles and personalities
Madi's Dad- Able to play a variety of roles and personalities - - - - - - - - - - "The Almond Orchard" by Dawn Trook
Director Unassigned Synopsis-
Little Alma is unhappy at home, where her father drinks too much and her mother is too busy to play. So she starts running in the almond orchard next to her house, and there discovers that trees can be more perceptive than she thought. Three trees, Bessie, Gus, and Jay talk with Alma and try to help her understand the ways of trees while she struggles with trying to find a place at home. This is a sad story of lost little girls and family's discovered. 5 roles available
Alma- a girl of 10
Bessie- A tree, singing role
Gus- A tree, male, fatherly
Jay - A tree, a young boy who decided to stop being human and become a tree
Alma's Father- middle aged male role - - - - - - - - - - "Building a Bridge" by Chris Fradkin
Director Alfred Day Synopsis- Damon attends UC Merced where he hears the ex-Chancellor speak of bridging the divide between the UC and the residents of Merced. This idea sticks in his head as a good and noble idea and he decides to literally build that bridge to bring his two lives, a student and a husband, closer together. With images from Don Quixote, this is a beautiful tale about trying to fill the gap between the ideals of higher education and the needs of the everyday person. Four available roles
Damon- mid-twenties, graduate student
The Professor- mid-fifties, research scientist, academic adviser to Damon
Dori- early twenties, pregnant with Damon's child, earthy
Sancho Panza- centuries old, sage, spiritual adviser to Damon - - - - - - - - - - "Pushing" by Eziekiel Camargo
Director Unassigned Synopsis- Jose is just an average high school student who has been labelled an under achiever by his school counselor who will not let him get into the classes he needs to apply for college. After three years of never being challenged Jose stops trying. Until his senior year of high school, when he transfers and meets Mr. Lee, a high school counselor who is suddenly pushing him to be more than he ever thought, and even helps him get into college. A heart warming story that will resonate with many people who have gone to school in the valley and have been told not to aim high. 7 available roles
Jose- a high-school student who dresses in baggy clothes and looks like a hoodlum
Steve- Jose's friend
Narrator- narrator to help move the story and cover years of time
Mr. Lee- High school counselor
Mrs. Hernandez- Works in the school office
Betty- a friend of Jose's
Jose's Mom - - - - - - - - - - "Giant, Life-Altering Things", by Noelle D.W. Chandler
Director, Melissa Beckwith Synopsis- A one woman show, done entirely in a conversational monologue to the audience. Jenn is a woman with a plan and a list. Unfortunately the one thing she never put on that list is the one thing that should be most natural, have children. When she realizes she cannot conceive, she sits down with her plans and lists and has to reevaluate her entire life, from living in Merced because its "a good place to raise a family" to possibly leaving her husband. A witty piece that turns life's tragedies into poetry 1 role Available
Jenn- a strong woman, mid 20's to early 30's - - - - - - - - - - "Foreclosure: The Musical" Script and music by Joey Essig
Director, Robert Hypes Synopsis- This is a musical about the housing crisis and how it is affecting the everyday lives of everyday people who are just trying to do everything right in life. Narrated by a Fairy Shrimp (his is the ultimate story of foreclosure), this tells the story of Jim and Ronda, who just want to buy the house of their dreams where they can raise a family. four available roles- all singing parts- Jim - Early to mid 20’s, fresh faced, wide eyed his entire future ahead of him, madly in love with his new wife Ronda, slightly more serious, brooding and sensible then Ronda. Ronda - Early to mid 20’s, fresh faced wide eyed with her whole life ahead of her, madly in love her new husband Jim, slightly more optimistic and doe eyed then Jim. Narrator - a fairly shrimp, an all knowing character, both visible and invisible to Jim and Ronda, an authority, a bad actor. The narrator speaks with gravitas, but does not take himself or what he says seriously. The real estate agent - played by the narrator in costume, a female, late 50’s, big glasses on a chain, an old pro, cigarette voiced. Stanley (mortgage broker) - played by the narrator in costume, male, late 50’s, an old pro, half used car salesman, half politician, half old showman. Those auditioning DO NOT have to have a prepared monologue. Instead, you will read some selections from some of the plays.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Almost Heaven - The Songs of John Denver
Directed by Rob Hypes
Auditions are Saturday, February 25, 2012
Callbacks are Tuesday, February 29, 2012
More information coming soon
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Elephant Man
Directed by Bill Cook
Auditions are Saturday, March 24, 2012
Callbacks are Tuesday, March 27, 2012
More information coming soon
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Music Man
Directed by Chente Cervantes
Auditions are Saturday, March 31, 2012
Callbacks are Tuesday, April 3, 2012
More information coming soon
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
| VOLUNTEERING AT THE PLAYHOUSE
Volunteer Opportunities Too much free time? We'll keep you busy! Playhouse Merced is constantly looking for new volunteers. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and we would not exist without the efforts of dedicated community members like you! Whether you're interested in ushering, acting, sewing, scene-building, or publicity, we have a variety of opportunities for people of all skill levels. If you would like to help, please call the box office at (209) 725-8587.
|
| SUPPORT THE PLAYHOUSE
Individual Patrons Playhouse Merced, like any quality arts presenter, relies on the support of committed members of the community to help us continue to provide the best in entertainment and education.
Here are just a few examples of what your individual sponsorship supports: * Our educational Conservatory, serving close to 20,000 local students a year. * The presentation of over 125 performances per year. * A professional staff coupled with a strong volunteer pool. * Continues our tradition of bringing in the finest local, regional and national actors, directors and designers. Your generous tax-deductible contribution may also include recognition in all of our season programs. Founders $5,000
Producers $2,500
Directors $1,000
Playwrights $500
Actors $250
Patrons $100
Understudies $50
Ushers $25 Won't you join our growing family? Endowments, gifts or bequests help support the theatre's mission, while making a difference in your community. Please feel free to make an appointment with our staff or your financial planner to set this important work in place.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Becoming a business partner with Playhouse Merced helps provide exposure to the finest in the theatrical arts for a wide section of our community and region. As a sponsor, you will acheive visibility and recognition throughout the year. In addition, sponsors receive additional benefits, not available to most patrons! This is an excellent opportunity to publicize your business or organization, while providing valuable, much needed support to one of the area's leading arts providers. Business Sponsors:
Diamond - $10,000
Platinum - $7,500
Gold - $5,000
Silver - $2,500
Bronze - $1,000 With each level you receive an advantage package, recognition on our corporate board and season tickets! Show Sponsorships
Want to sponsor a show for the season? Individual show sponsorships are a great way to get your name out there and show support for the arts! Talk with Jim Kocher in our Marketing/Sales Department to find out more details! (209) 725-8587
Back to Top |
|
|
|
