EDMOND —
As part of the Edmond Memorial Theater Production class’s Community Outreach, the students and their teacher, Carolyn Merritt, will be joining their talents with those of Robert Matson, a local playwright and actor.
Matson has written a family play, “Where’d My Sock Go?” and actors from the community and the school will be auditioning for parts in his play from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 18 and from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 19. Callbacks will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 23.
Matson is looking for actors in his children’s play from ages 6 and older.
“We will have s few adult roles, also,” said Terry Girten, who works with Matson. “The students are not able to fund public advertising so we are funding the advertising and working together in a partnership.”
The students will be producing the set and costuming, Girten said.
“Robert and I met 20 years ago when we worked on ‘Showboat’ in Marietta, Ohio, and after I moved to Edmond we reconnected,” Merritt said.
“ I started the Theater Production course as a traveling Thespian troupe to bring theater to people who don’t have the opportunity to see theater or to perform.”
Merritt said she and Matson decided it would be a good cooperative effort for students to work with professionals in the community and participate in a performance.
“One of the things about community outreach is the students have to audition and techs have to put in resumés,” Merritt said. “This gives students an opportunity to perform by taking baby steps. Some of the students are seasoned actors and some may be performing for the first time.”
Merritt added it is a great opportunity for the high school as well as middle school students to work with someone older with more experience.
“I am hoping there will be a ripple effect and that we will be able to continue this,” she said.
In the play Max and Lorna travel through the other side of the dryer to find a missing child and a missing sock. The brother and sister land in Hamperville, where missing socks and various laundry items come alive. They must save the child before the Dirt, the most evil sock in the land, throws the child in the sludge.
Students will be working with Matson, an actor and writer, in a different arena than just taking a script, memorizing it and acting it out.
The challenge for the students is that as they are acting out the script Matson will be constantly polishing it and perhaps changing adjectives and verbs requiring the students to hone their ability to be versatile.
Girten added this is a totally different type of concept as far as the students are used to doing.
Auditions will take place in the Edmond Memorial High School Auditorium, 1000 E. 15th St.
For an audition appointment or to obtain an audition packet, call 286-9298 or email robertjmprod@cox.net.
Those who wish to audition should prepare a one-minute comic monologue with no profanity. Comic monologues are also available in the audition packet. Those wishing to audition should bring a headshot/school photo.
Full scripts are available at the audition and those auditioning may be asked to do a cold reading from the script.
Rehearsals will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. Monday through from from April 30 through May 23, with some Saturday rehearsals. Specific days and times will be determined after casting is completed.
Performance dates are set for 7 p.m. May 24; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 25; and 2 p.m. May 26.
Matson is the Academy Administrator for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and holds a bachelor’s and master’s in theatre. He has worked with local theater companies The Pollard Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Jewel Box and Carpenter Square. He has written local theater favorites “Drama Queens” and “Playground.” He was recently picked to show his work at the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival. He also writes for Lyric’s Musical Interactive Program and was awarded an ADDY for his work.
Education
Community theater coming to Memorial High School
Young and old alike asked to audition
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