A pair of long-standing arts organizations in Sequim and Port Angles are teaming up to offer two show opportunities with prospective cast members at one audition.
Olympic Theatre Arts (OTA) and the Port Angeles Community Players (PACP) are hosting joint audition sessions for their upcoming Christmas shows.
OTA is seeking cast members for “The Rented Christmas” while PACP seeks cast members for “Christmas Dreams.” The two productions share identical performance dates (Dec. 6-22), so actors can only be in one of the shows.
“The theater community on the Olympic Peninsula regularly collaborates by sharing their resources,” representatives from the organizations said. “This year the Christmas show directors decided to combine auditions to make it more convenient for area thespians interested in one or both holiday season show.”
An audition for both shows is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the PACP Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles. A second audition is set for 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at OTA, 414 N. Sequim Ave. There is no need to come to both audition sessions, however. No call-backs are currently scheduled, but if needed actors will be contacted individually to arrange them.
Those wanting to familiarize themselves with the shows can get perusal copies of each script, available at the Sequim and Port Angeles libraries.
About the plays
Directed by Christy Holy, “The Rented Christmas” — by Norman and Yvonne Ahearn — is a story about John Dale who has not had a good Christmas since his parents died years ago. When he rents a Christmas from Anne Weston’s rental shop, he has no idea how much fun is in store. With the help of John’s housekeeper Bridget, and cook Martha, Anne gathers local orphans and together they create a nostalgic Christmas bringing joy that money cannot buy. (For more about the show, visit olympictheatrearts.org/auditions.
The PACP show, ”Christmas Dreams,” written by John Robertson and directed by Marissa Meek, takes place in Depression-era Chicago. Young Jackie McArthur struggles to support his grandmother Abby, while trying to deal with anger at his alcoholic father, who recently abandoned them. It is Christmas Eve, and when he learns his father is returning, he makes plans to run away. He is visited by a spirit in the form of a rail-riding tramp and “must choose between the love that’s so hard for him to express and the hate that consumes him,” PACP members note.
“This family story told with realism, humor and love will light every heart that knows betrayal and the healing of forgiveness,” they said.
Meeks is looking to cast five males and three females, including on teen/20s male and one teen/20s female. There is also a need for small community choral groups interested in guest appearances singing Christmas carols at one or several of the performances.
For more information, email PACP board member Ken Winters at kenpacp@gmail.com.
