Albany Civic Theater – Albany, OR

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Albany Civic Theater • Albany, OR

Now in our 73rd season

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2023-2024 Season

Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. - ACT Summer Camp (Special Event)

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater

Directed by: Rebecca Douglas

Audition Dates: Jun. 17, 18, 19 (callbacks), 2024

Camp Dates: Aug. 5 – 22, 2023

Performances: August 23, 24, 30, 31, 2024

Journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking. Written to flow seamlessly between land and sea, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. provides plenty of opportunities to bring these locations to life through creative movement and configurations. The fantasy of being underwater means your entire cast and crew can let their imaginations run wild. (Music Theatre International)

Director

Rebecca Douglas has been involved in community theater for thirty years! Some of her local credits include: ACT’s All Together Now!, Annie as Grace Ferrell, Big Fish as Josephine, Shrek as the Witch, Avenue Q as Lucy and Mrs. T., Thoroughly Modern Millie as Alice, Meet Me in St. Louis as Anna Smith, The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn, and Hello, Dolly! as Ernestina Money.  She also directed Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr, Seussical Jr., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Once on This Island Jr. and At First Sight, co-directed Matilda, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and served as vocal director for The Wizard of Oz, Man of La Mancha, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, as assistant director for Treasure Island and Excalibur! The Story of Young King Arthur and as administrative director/stage manager for Shakespeare for Kids. She also performed in On the Verge and Annie Get Your Gun at CCT, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein with Pipe Dream Theatre, Majestic Eight and The Little Mermaid with the Majestic Theatre.  She has also directed a number of shows for CCT and Majestic Education. She is the General Music Teacher at Albany Christian School. She is also the Music Director for the Adventures in Acting Camp at the Majestic Theatre.

Director’s email: rbbailey@hotmail.com

Cast of Characters

Ariel: Ariel, the heroine of our story, is a little mermaid who longs to be human. Cast a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role. Ariel has some beautiful solos but must be able to convey meaning through gesture once she loses her voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Prince Eric: Prince Eric is the adventurous prince who captures Ariel’s heart. Look for a charming performer with a sensitive nature. Prince Eric has a few small solos, but it is more important to cast a strong actor in this role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Sebastian: Sebastian is the meticulous and anxious crab who tries to keep Ariel safe while getting to lead some of the most memorable songs in the show! Look for a strong singer who can also handle Sebastian’s emotional range. Sebastian can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Flounder: Flounder is Ariel’s sincere and sensitive best friend who is loyal to the end. This spunky fish also has a show-stopping solo in “She’s in Love.” Flounder can be cast with a girl or a boy with an unchanged voice. This may be a wonderful role for a younger performer who is ready to take the next step into the spotlight.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: G3
King Triton: King Triton rules the sea and is a force to be reckoned with. This non-singer needs to command the stage as a strong leader but also show the tenderness of a parent. Cast a mature performer who feels comfortable playing father to Ariel and the Mersisters.
Gender: Male
Mersisters: The Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana) are Ariel’s siblings and full of personality and sass. These are great roles to showcase talented singers and dancers who can create and play six distinctive characters.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Ursula: Ursula is the manipulative sea witch who tries to overthrow King Triton. She is cunning and devious and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain’s humor while finding texture in Ursula’s complexity. Ursula’s songs can be challenging, so look for a singer who will feel comfortable with these solos.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Tentacles: The Tentacles are extensions of Ursula, perhaps the poor unfortunate souls who are now trapped in her lair. Look for six or eight performers who work well together and can move as a unit.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Flotsam: Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula’s slippery spies. These electric eels are sinister and sneaky, so look for performers who can be underhanded and devious while still being heard on stage. Flotsam and Jetsam can be played by boys or girls.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Jetsam: Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula’s slippery spies. These electric eels are sinister and sneaky, so look for performers who can be underhanded and devious while still being heard on stage. Flotsam and Jetsam can be played by boys or girls.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Scuttle: Scuttle is the know-it-all seagull who serves as Ariel’s expert on humans. He is funny and off-beat. While a good singer will rock “Human Stuff,” this song can easily be spoken in rhythm. Look for a performer with good comedic timing who is willing to have fun with Scuttle’s eccentricities.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Gulls: The Gulls are Scuttle’s flock of zany “back-up singers” who help explain human stuff to Ariel. While there are three principal gulls written in the score, feel free to add as many as you need to best serve your production. The Gulls’ solos can be spoken if necessary.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Grimsby: Grimsby is Prince Eric’s prim and proper valet. He is rigid in personality and constantly trying to guide Prince Eric towards the throne. While Grimsby does have some singing to do, strong acting trumps singing ability for this role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Chef Louis: Chef Louis is the over-the-top head chef in the palace. He is always wild and frenetic. This is an excellent featured role for a comedic performer.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Chefs: The Chefs are Chef Louis’s assistants. The music in “Les Poissons” can be challenging, so good choral singers are a plus for this group. Your Chefs can also double as members of the Sea Chorus.
Gender: Any
Carlotta: Carlotta is the headmistress in Prince Eric’s palace and Ariel’s greatest human ally. This non-singing role needs to be warm and maternal to make Ariel feel welcome.
Gender: Female
Princesses: The six Princesses try everything they can to win the heart of Prince Eric. Since none of them possesses the voice Prince Eric is searching for, cast actresses who can create an exaggerated and comedic personality through song. The six Princesses can double as the six Mersisters.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Pilot: The Pilot is the head sailor on Prince Eric’s ship. This nautical expert who entertains the sailors with wild tales of the sea presents an opportunity to highlight a developing performer. The Pilot has a few speaking lines, but his singing voice is most important.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Sailors: The Sailors are the crew of Prince Eric’s ship. They are eager for adventure and ready to tackle a storm. The Sailors can be played by boys or girls and can double as Sea Chorus.
Gender: Any
Seahorse: The Seahorse is the court herald for King Triton. This non-singing part is a good role for a young performer with a clear speaking voice.
Gender: Any
Sea Chorus: The Sea Chorus is responsible for creating each world within the show. Look for performers who can move gracefully and are capable of being part of a scene without drawing focus. This can also be an opportunity to showcase some of your more skilled dancers. The Sea Chorus can double as Merfolk, Sea Creatures and Lagoon Animals.
Gender: Any
Sea Creatures: The Sea Creatures are the ensemble under water animals in King Triton’s court. They can include as few or as many performers as your production permits. There are several moments to showcase both dancers and singers in “Under the Sea.”
Gender: Any
Merfolk: The Merfolk of King Triton’s Court and can double as Sea Creatures.
Gender: Any
Lagoon Animals: The Lagoon Animals try to convince Prince Eric to kiss Ariel. This ensemble can double as the Sea Creatures.
Gender: Any

Spring Awakening

Book and Lyrics by: Steven Sater
Music by: Duncan Sheik

Directed by: Christy Anderson 

Auditions: April 22, 23, 24, 2024

Performances: Jul. 19, 20, 26, 27, 28(m), Aug. 1, 2, 3, 2024

It’s the 1890s in Germany and the adults are fully in charge. Teenagers fight to be heard and understand the complexities and big questions of gender and sexuality. Especially when the adults refuse to be honest. It is a celebration of rebellion and angst as we follow Wendla, Moritz, Melchior, and their friends through the complexities of the teenage experience.

Director

Christy Anderson is no stranger to ACT’s stage. She was Jackie Cochran in Fly Babies, Gillian in Bell, Book and Candle and choreographer for Addams Family the Musical. Christy also directed Little Shop of Horrors for SAHS at West Albany HS. She is the theatre teacher at South Albany High School and lives in Albany with her husband Josh, son Shepard, daughter Ellinore, and corgi Riley. Christy’s hobbies are dancing, singing, watching movies, chasing her kiddos, and going to Disney World.

Director’s email: tuffy1299@comcast.net

Cast of Characters

Wendla: Innocent. With every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her and her changing body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution. Explores her newly-found sexuality with Melchior.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Melchior: A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society’s rules. An atheist and radical student. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Martha: A schoolgirl who faces constant physical abuse from her father. She harbors a secret crush towards Moritz.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Moritz: Melchior’s best friend, a troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. His haunting sexual dreams and academic failures eventually drive him to suicidal thoughts.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Thea: Wendla’s best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Hanschen: A rather narcissistic schoolmate of Melchior’s. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst. Optional Doubling as RUPERT.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Anna: A German schoolgirl and Martha’s best friend. Optimistic and a bit naive, she has a difficult time understanding Martha’s trials.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Ernst: A schoolmate of Melchior’s. Naive and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen. Optional Doubling as REINHOLD.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Ilse: Martha’s sister, who was also abused and has run away from home to live in an artists’ colony. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Georg: A clumsy schoolmate of Melchoir’s. He is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. Optional Doubling as DIETER.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Otto: A classmate of Melchior’s. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate. Optional Doubling as ULBRECHT.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Adult Woman: Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: FRAU BERGMAN, Wendla’s mother; FRAULEIN KNUPPELDICK; FRAULEIN GROSSEBUSTENHALTER; FRAU GABOR, Melchior’s mother; and FRAU BESSELL, Martha’s mother.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Adult Man: Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: HERR SONNENSTITCH, the boys’ teacher; HEADMASTER KNOCHENBRUCH; HERR NEUMANN, Ilse’s father; HERR RILOW, Hanschen’s father; HERR STEIFEL, Moritz’s father; FATHER KAULBACH; DOCTOR VON BRAUSEPULVER; HERR GABOR, Melchior’s father; and SCHMIDT.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: D3

Bullshot Crummond

by Ron House, Alan Shearman, Diz White, John Neville Andrews, Derek Cunningham

Directed by: Erik A Esrael 

Auditions: April 8, 9, 10 (callbacks), 2024

Performances: Jun. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23(m), 27, 28, 29, 2024

This parody of low-budget 30s detective movies typifies British heroism at its dumbest. Teutonic villain Otto Von Brunno and his evil mistress Lenya crash their plane in the English countryside and kidnap Professor Fenton, who has discovered a formula for making synthetic diamonds. Bullshot Crummond is called to the rescue by the professor’s daughter Rosemary.

Director

Erik A Esrael has been acting and performing since before the turn of the century including as Otto Von Bruno in Slocum House Theater Company’s production of Bullshot Crummond in 2004. He has been seen on the ACT Stage as early as 2006 in Steve Martin’s Underpants.  This is his directorial debut with Albany Civic Theater. He works for Salem Health and lives in Salem with his wife, 3 dogs, and 2 cats.

Director’s email: pilesofpencils@hotmail.com

Cast of Characters

Hugh “Bullshot” Crummond: He is the archetypal British officer who fought in the trenches of France, laughs at danger and doesn’t know the meaning of the word fear.  He thinks of himself as a dashing young daredevil.  In reality he has a deluded idea of his own capabilities.  Age around 30.  Strong upper class English accent.
Miss Rosemary Fenton: She is an English rose of the most overdone genteel upbringing one can imagine.  She has a very loud irritating laugh which Crummond finds charming. Aged 25-30.  Upper English accent.
Otto Von Brunno: Von Brunno is a classic “B” movie teutonic villain.  Speaks with a stock Hollywood style German accent.  Age 30-40
Salvatore Scalicio: Mobster type character.  Brief appearance. Played by the same actor who plays Otto Von Brunno
Lenya Von Brunno: Otto’s evil mistress.  Age 25-30
Algy Longwort/Professor Fenton/Country Policeman/Carlton Waiter/Inspector Scabbard/Wolfgang Schmidt/Marovitch: All played by the same actor.  As an example, Algy Longwort is a friend to Hugh Crummond and former officer of the Royal Loamshires.

Karlaboy

by Steven Peros

Directed by: Jillian Alden 

Auditions: Mar. 4, 5, 6 (callbacks), 2024

Performances: May 17, 18, 19(m), 23, 24, 25, 2024

Biographer Bill Lauder has penned a ruthless tell-all about Karla Daven, a long dead legendary 1950’s starlet. As a result, he is summoned in the middle of the night to the dilapidated mansion of Karla’s celebrity husband, Harold Bachman, a reclusive director who makes the outlandish claim that Karla’s ghost has threatened to kill him this very night unless Bill calls off the publication of his tawdry book of lies. What follows is an intense evening where memory wrestles with myth in order to find the truth. As Harold gets deeper into exposing Bill’s lies about Karla, he is forced to confront the lies he’s told himself – lies about himself as a filmmaker, a husband, and as a man. Harold must not only save himself from Karla’s ghost, but from the ghosts of an unrealized life. In addition to being an absorbing psychological ghost story, Karlaboy is an important, non-graphic exploration of LGBT issues in its fascinating dissection of a high profile Hollywood “marriage of convenience.” (Concord Theatricals)

Director

Jillian Alden first appeared at ACT in 2010 with her portrayal of Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Her onstage presence continued with Meet in St. Louis as Esther Smith, Singin’ in the Rain and Sweeney Todd as an ensemble member, Fly Babies as Peggy Taylor, and Moon Over Buffalo as Rosalind Hay. She has also helped backstage on several projects, including costuming for Fly Babies and for University of Washington’s production of Next to Normal, which unfortunately never performed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She supported ACT’s production of Something Rotten! as an assistant director, and she partners with South Albany High School, serving as vocal director for their production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Jillian is a passionate mental health advocate and is nearing the beginning of her clinical practice as a mental health counselor and a drama therapist. She has combined her professional and personal passions to help her serve on ACT’s diversity and inclusion steering committee, and is committed to supporting programs, workshops, and training at ACT which make the theater a more welcoming and safe environment for people with marginalized identities. Karlaboy will be Jillian’s directorial debut with ACT.

Director’s email: jillian.alden@outlook.com

Cast of Characters

Harold:  A retired and reclusive Hollywood director and Karla Daven’s widower. In his 60s.
Young Harold: A bitter, envious and tormented young man whose Hollywood career is gaining traction, but no academy awards. In his 20s. *Harold is gay and male-identifying.
Bill Lauder: An investigative journalist and a huge fan of Karla, inquisitive and stubborn. In his 30s. *Bill is male identifying and his sexual orientation is not identified.
Karla Daven: One of the most beloved actresses of the early 1950s, who died suddenly and tragically, leaving behind her blossoming career and her husband. *Karla is female identifying and straight

Tony (& Handsome Man): A lover from the past, both to Karla and Harold, handsome, stubborn, and confident. 20s-30s. *Tony is male identifying, and his sexual orientation is not identified.
Studio Boss (& Super Mogul): Head of the unnamed studio to which Karla and Harold are contracted. 40s-60s. *Studio boss is male identifying.
Ensemble of four: Four members of the ensemble will play all of the characters from Harold’s flashback scenes. The roles have been divided between the four members already, based on gender presentation and amount of lines. These roles can be any age between 20 and 70. *Two ensemble members will portray male identifying characters. *One ensemble member will portray female identifying characters. *One ensemble member will portray characters that do not have a specific gender identity.

The Prom

Music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Chad Beguelin & Bob Martin

Directed by: Christi E. Sears and Mirinda Keeling

Auditions: 7:30 pm on Jan. 8 (vocals/dance), Jan. 9 (cold reads), & Jan. 10 (callbacks only), 2024
Audition Form
Audition Welcome Letter

Performances: Apr. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14(m), 18, 19, 20, 21(m), 25, 26, 27, 2024

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever. (Theatrical Rights Worldwide)

Director

Christi E. Sears has a string of hit musicals and plays to her credit, including: Something Rotten!, Clue, Altogether Now (Special Event), The Secret of Chimneys: ACT Radio Play, Mamma Mia, The Addams Family, Annie, Big Fish, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Steel Magnolias, The Producers, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!, The Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bell, Book and Candle, Auntie Mame, and Greater Tuna at ACT. Christi also directed at CCT: Cinderella, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. A long-time administrative member at ACT, Christi has served four terms as president and two terms as treasurer. She currently serves on the ACT Board as Production Manager. Christi resides in Albany and has worked for over 29 years as the Accounting/Payroll Manager at Palm Harbor Homes.

Director’s email: cirsey@comcast.net

Mirinda Keeling is making her ACT directorial debut this season with Peter and the Starcatcher. Mirinda co-directed School House Rock at ACT and directed Animal Krackers, Magic in Me, and The Shoemaker and the Elves at North Albany Elementary. Mirinda has assistant directed Something Rotten, Murder on the Orient Express, Clue, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, High School Musical, and Excalibur: The Story of Young King Arthur at ACT. Her resume includes additional crew positions of vocal director, production assistant, set dressing design, set dresser, set design, hair and makeup designer, props designer and costumer in over 30 productions and has performed on stage in an additional 20. She has performed with her husband, Dean Keeling, as well as her two sons, Braden and Adam.

Director’s email: r_mirinda@hotmail.com

Cast of Characters

(Gender-flexible featured roles and expandable ensemble. We welcome any and all genders and non-binary artists with all vocal ranges.)
Emma Nolan: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a
high school senior. Alto – Mezzo-Soprano/belt up to a C#. Forced into the spotlight because she
asked her girlfriend to the prom. A reluctant poster child for gay / lesbian youth. Very smart with
a bit of a tomboy quality. Sweet pop voice. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL.
Dee Dee Allen: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 30s–50s, Alto. A current Broadway diva. A huge ego to match her huge talent. No filter. Hilariously self-involved but yearns to do something good for someone other than herself. Strong Singer. Big, Broadway belter. PRINCIPAL.
Barry Glickman: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 30s–50s, High Baritone/Low Tenor. A very gay Broadway star. Completely politically incorrect and doesn’t know it. Impulsive and loves to make a scene everywhere he goes. Strong singer. Big, Broadway belter. PRINCIPAL.
Trent Oliver: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 30s–40s, Baritone. A pretentious Broadway star who is probably better known for TV infomercials. Loves the sound of his own voice. Strong singer, pop, and legit. PRINCIPAL.
Alyssa: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a high school senior, Mix/belt up to a D. Tries desperately to fit in. A cheerleader. Secretly Emma’s girlfriend, but afraid to come out. May be classically pretty. Afraid to stand up to her mother. Pop voice. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL.
Mr. Hawkins: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 30s–50s, High Baritone. A small-town principal. Easily flustered. Strait-laced. A Broadway enthusiast. Good singer. PRINCIPAL.
Angie: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 30s–40s, Alto with a belt. An ensemble member in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. Jaded Fosse girl with a heart of gold. Strong Singer. PRINCIPAL.
Mrs. Green: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 30s–40s, Alto. Alyssa’s Mother and the school board president. Very strong, controlling, and intimidating. Loves her daughter very much but has a very specific view of what is right and wrong for her daughter and the school. Strong Singer. PRINCIPAL
Sheldon Saperstein: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 30s–40s, Baritone. A charismatic press agent. Traditional musical theatre sound. PRINCIPAL.
Kaylee: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a high school senior. Mezzo-Soprano.
Nick: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a high school senior. Tenor.
Shelby: Must present as or be willing to present as a female. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a high school senior. Mezzo-Soprano
Kevin: Must present as or be willing to present as a male. Any ethnicity, 18+ to play a high school senior. Tenor.
Ensemble: Olivia Keating, Opening Night Party Attendees, Reporters, High School Students, PTA Members, Motel Clerk, Cast of the Non-Equity Tour of Godspell, Monster Truck Rally, Mrs. Greene’s Friend, and LGBTQ Students.

Eclipsed

by Patricia Burke Brogan

Directed by: Charlotte J. Headrick

Auditions: Dec. 4, 5, 6(callbacks), 2023

Performances: Mar. 1, 2, 3(m), 7, 8, 9, 2024

A play about the women of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. This statue commemorates their struggle.

Eclipsed is a powerful and moving award-winning play with dozens of productions around the world. Set
in a Magdalene laundry in the 1960s, the all woman play documents the Irish Catholic church and their
practice of incarcerating pregnant and unwed Irish mothers in church-run laundries making them work
as penitents. If you saw the film Philomena, you have seen the story of one Magdalene. Although a
drama, the play is filled with moments of humor as well song.

Director

Charlotte J. Headrick is a Professor Emerita of Theatre Arts at Oregon State University. A past president of the American Conference for Irish Studies, West, she has directed numerous premieres and productions of Irish plays all over the United States, particularly those written by women. She is widely published in the field of Irish drama. A former Moore Visiting Fellow at the National University of Ireland, Galway, she is co-editor with Eileen Kearney of Irish Women Dramatists 1908-2001 (2014, 2016 Syracuse University Press). She is the recipient of the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival Medallion for service to that organization. She is also a Distinguished Professor for Undergraduate Teaching at Oregon State. As an actress, favorite roles include Madam Baptista in The Taming of the Shrew, Kate in All My Sons, Rima in Frank McGuiness’s Dolly West’s Kitchen, Countess Roussillon in All’s Well That Ends Well, Duke Senior in As You Like It (directed by her former student Seattle director Sheila Daniles). She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association. In March of 2023, she portrayed Betty in Christian O’Reilly’s Chapatti in a reading at ACT.

Director’s email: cheadrick@oregonstate.edu

Cast of Characters

Brigit Murphy: Unwed mother
Cathy McNamara: Unwed mother
Nellie-Nora Langan: Unwed mother (mid-twenties)
Mandy Prenderville: Unwed mother
Juliet Mannion: Orphan who has been raised in the orphanage adjacent to the laundry
Rosa/Caroline: US citizen who comes looking for her birth mother
Sister Virginia: Novice nun who questions the harsh treatment of the nuns in the laundry
Mother Victoria: mother abbess in control of the laundry (50s-70s)

(Age range of other women is late teens to mid-thirties)

The Great Gatsby

by Maeve Z O’Connor
Adapted from the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Directed by: Loriann Schmidt

Auditions: Oct. 23, 24, 25(callbacks), 2023

Performances: Jan. 26, 27, 28(m), Feb. 2, 3, 4(m), 8, 9, 10, 2024

The Great Gatsby is a timeless tale of love and tragedy set in the Jazz Age of New York. Gatsby, a self made millionaire pursues a former lover, Daisy and his pursuit meets with a tragic end. This adaptation draws the audience’s attention to themes of equity and privilege, and showcases Daisy’s strength and character. Crafted from the beloved novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this show is a World Premiere performance by Portland playwright Maeve Z O’Connor.

Director

Loriann Schmidt has done theater all her life.  Starting in 2nd grade with an appearance in The Music Man, the theater bug (and lighting bug) has always been with her.  Her first light board was her own invention (in high school) made with rheostats and an old suitcase, a ton of soldering lead and a whiff of smoke.  A long string of shows both professional and community as costume designer, light designer, stage manager, assistant director and director followed and the rest, they say, is history.  Most recently, Loriann has directed shows at Pentacle, Keizer Homegrown Theatre and a private school in Beaverton.  She serves on the board at Keizer Homegrown Theatre and has been active in other areas of Albany Civic Theatre as Lighting Manager, costume designer and all-around Helpful Person.  She is thrilled to be making her directorial debut at Albany Civic Theatre with this wonderful piece of Americana – The Great Gatsby.

Director’s email: baronopal@gmail.com

Cast of Characters

Nick Carraway: male, 29, later 30. A cynical but gentle businessman who has a way with words. Daisy’s cousin.
Jay Gatsby: male, early 30s. A mysterious eccentric who is equal parts charming and melancholy. New money.
Daisy Buchanan: female, 23. A striking southern beauty who isn’t nearly as oblivious as she seems. Armed with a lyrical, enticing voice. Old money.
Tom Buchanan: male, 30s. A solid, aggressive man who speaks his mind. Old money. Daisy’s husband. Old money.
Jordan Baker: female, 21. An athletic, jaunty golf star with a quick wit.
Myrtle Wilson: female, 30s. A sultry, hardy woman with a bit of sweetness to her.
George Wilson: male, 30s – 40s. A spiritless, nervous mechanic, owner of Wilson’s Garage. Myrtle’s husband.
Meyer Wolfsheim: male, 50. A mobster who’s said to have fixed the world series. A business partner of Gatsby’s.

Played by Ensemble:
Catherine: female, 18 – 30. An elegant flapper. Myrtle’s sister.
McKee: male, late 20s – 30s. An artistic New York photographer.
Mrs. McKee: female, late 20s – 30s. A good-natured woman.
Klipspringer: male, 20s – 30s. A freeloading musician who all but lives at Gatsby’s mansion.
Henry Gatz: male, 50s – 70s. A well-worn but respectable man. Gatsby’s father.
Lucille, Walton, Albert, Nurse, Waiter, Butlers, Gentlemen & Flappers, etc.: all genders, 18 – 40.

Peter and the Starcatcher

by Rick Elice
Music by Wayne Barker
Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Directed by: Mirinda Keeling

Performances: Dec. 1, 2, 3(m), 8, 9, 10(m), 14, 15, 16, 2023

A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure. (Music Theatre International)

Director

Peter and the Starcatcher is Mirinda Keeling’s ACT directorial debut. She is also co-directing The Prom, with Christi E. Sears this season. Mirinda co-directed School House Rock at ACT and directed Animal Krackers, Magic in Me, and The Shoemaker and the Elves at North Albany Elementary. Mirinda has assistant directed Something Rotten, Murder on the Orient Express, Clue, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, High School Musical, and
Excalibur: The Story of Young King Arthur at ACT. Her resume includes additional crew positions of vocal director, production assistant, set dressing design, set dresser, set design, hair and makeup designer, props designer and costumer in over 30 productions and has performed on stage in an additional 20. She has performed with her husband, Dean Keeling, as well as her two sons, Braden and Adam.

Director’s email: r_mirinda@hotmail.com

Cast of Characters

Boy/Peter: Adam Keeling
Molly: Dylan Renfro
Prentiss: Teza Ross
Ted: Josiah Barnett
Stache: Henry Mouat
Smee: Conner Riley
Aster: JJ Halchischick
Scott: John Ross
Grempkin/Teacher: August Slamp
Slank/Fighting Prawn: Dan Bushong
Alf: Olivia Pereyra
Bumbrake: Adam Vester
Mack: Kaydence Gillespie
Sanchez: Rain Holland
Hawking Clam: Gideon Vester
Narrator/Pirate/Mollusk: Kiera Dodge

She Kills Monsters poster

She Kills Monsters

by Qui Nguyen

Directed by: Josh Anderson

Performances: Oct. 20, 21, 22(m), 26, 27, 28, 29(m), Nov. 2, 3, 4, 2023

She Kills Monsters poster

She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans, a young woman grieving for her deceased sister. The Evans sisters never were especially close, but after Tilly’s death Agnes receives a notebook containing a game scenario created by her sister. She discovers that Tilly was a well-known Dungeons & Dragons player, and that she was passionate about online fantasy gaming. In order to unlock more secrets about her mysterious young sibling, Agnes recruits a “dungeon master” named Chuck to help her understand and grieve Tilly. Chock-full of supermodel elves, dominatrix warrior women, and nasty ogres, She Kills Monsters is a surprisingly sweet tale of friendship, loss, and acceptance.

Director

Previously at ACT, Josh Anderson directed A Christmas Carol and The Three Musketeers, stage managed for The Odd Couple, and appeared in Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, Avenue Q, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Game Show, Disney’s High School Musical, Curtains, and Meet Me in St. Louis. He works as a security officer for the US Department of Energy, and lives in Albany with his wife Christy and two children. He enjoys shooting and historical reenactment.

Director’s email: jdaa370@yahoo.com

Cast of Characters

Tilly Evans: Karissa White 
Agnes Evans: Elizabeth Ming
Chuck: Nathan Greensweight
Miles: Josh Winters
Vera/Farrah: Jessica Moyer
Lilith/Lilly: Lucy Elgin
Kaliope/Kelly: Luzena Donnell
Orcus/Ronnie: James Murray
Mage Steve: Steven Lerner
Evil Gabbi: Holly Mitchell
Evil Tina: Sarah Roth
Narrator/The Beholder: Jay Kendall

The Savannah Sipping Society

by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten

Directed by: Scott Harvey

Performances: Sep. 15, 16, 17(m), 22, 23, 24(m), 28, 29, 30, 2023

In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by Fate—and an impromptu happy hour—and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. Randa, a perfectionist and workaholic, is struggling to cope with a surprise career derailment that, unfortunately, reveals that she has no life and no idea how to get one. Dot, still reeling from her husband’s recent demise and the loss of their plans for an idyllic retirement, faces the unsettling prospect of starting a new life from scratch—and all alone. Earthy and boisterous Marlafaye, a good ol’ Texas gal, has blasted into Savannah in the wake of losing her tom-cattin’ husband to a twenty-three-year-old dental hygienist. The strength of her desire to establish a new life is equaled only by her desire to wreak a righteous revenge on her ex. Also new to town, Jinx, a spunky ball of fire, offers her services as a much-needed life coach for these women. However, blinded by her determination and efforts to get their lives on track, she over-looks the fact that she’s the one most in need of sage advice. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jumpstart their new lives. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment—and most importantly, realize it’s never too late to make new old friends. So raise your glass to these strong Southern women and their fierce embrace of life and say “Cheers!” to this joyful and surprisingly touching Jones, Hope, Wooten comedy!

Director

Scott Harvey got started with ACT in 2001 and made his directorial debut at ACT with The Trouble With Cats. He has since then directed No Body Like Jimmy. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the theater productions, from assistant director (Singin’ in the Rain, Waiting for Godot) to acting (Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, It’s a Wonderful Life, Man of La Mancha, Looking for Normal) to behind the scene duties (Treasure Island, The Game’s Afoot, The Mousetrap).

Director’s email: pengserv1@yahoo.com

Cast of Characters

Randa Covington: Jennifer Moody
Dot Haigler: Alice Tucker
Marlafaye Mosley: Pat Jansen
Jinx Jenkins: Linda Cashin