Courtesy of AACT
The theme for the 2020-2021 season for the Auburn Area Community Theatre, “Still Standing,” represents all the theatre has been through, despite 2020’s curveballs.
The season will include:
• “Super, Happy, Awesome News,” a virtual show put on by the AACT Jr. Performers
• “A Christmas Carol,” a live radio play
• “Holiday Walk in the Woods” at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center
• “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone,” a loving parody performed by the AACT Young Performers
• The Tony award-winning comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”
Open Auditions for “A Christmas Carol,” a live radio play, will take place on Oct. 6 and 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. No experience necessary. Actors of all races and backgrounds are invited to audition. Auburn ACT is committed to the safety of our AACT family, patrons and community, and all recommended health and safety protocols will be followed at the time of auditions.
This play-within-a-play requires up to six men and five women (ages 16 and up) to portray the actors of a 1940’s radio station, who will bring to life all the characters in a live radio performance of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.” Because this is styled as a radio performance, all actors will be reading from scripts on stage so the emphasis is on performance. This handful of radio actors brings dozens of characters to the stage as the familiar story unfolds: Three ghosts take Ebenezer Scrooge on a thrilling journey to teach him the true meaning of Christmas. The holiday classic, as a live 1940s radio broadcast, is complete with vintage commercials, sound effects and musical underscoring. The live sound effects will be performed manually by Foley (sound effects artists) artists creating the bells, doors, ghostly chains, thunder effects and more. Those interested in being production volunteers are also welcome to come to auditions. The staging of this radio drama also lends itself to safe distancing.
Rehearsals will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 13 – Nov. 23 (no rehearsal on Thanksgiving/Nov. 26). Dress rehearsals are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov 30 – Dec 2. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Details can be found online (AuburnACT.org). For more information, contact director Terry Kelley at Tkelley@AuburnACT.org. For coronavirus protocols, contact AuburnAreaComTheatre@gmail.com.
AACT will also be hosting a “Holiday Walk in the Woods” at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center Dec. 18 – 20. It will be a walking small-group tour through the piney winter woods, with lights, decorations and songs by local talent at stations along the trail. All performances will be family-friendly and highlight the diverse traditions and culture of our community. Additionally, daytime walks will have special surprises and songs for the kids.
The theater will also hold auditions in December for “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone,” a loving parody lined up as the February 2021 show for AACT Young Performers ages 13-18.
The last show of the season, with performances slated for Spring 2021, will be the Tony award-winning comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike!”
Auburn Area Community Theatre is a non-profit organization that exists to serve the Auburn/Opelika Community. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for education and participation in the world of theatre and present a quality, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre experience. AACT is actively soliciting new members who have an interest in helping the growth of community theatre. AACT members and the community at large are encouraged to participate. For more information please visit www.auburnact.org.