First Session Fall Class Cancellations
September 16th, 2015After school classes for the first session of fall have been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please register early to keep upcoming classes open!
STUDENT ACTING WORKSHOPS coming to Wheaton Drama
August 27th, 2015First Through Eighth Grade
A FUN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL!
Young performers will learn basic onstage and acting techniques while they develop their imagination and creativity. All children will have a blast as they explore acting through a series of theater and improvisational games. This ensemble-building class will foster each student’s self-esteem and help them become independent thinkers both on and off the stage.
Program instructor Anne Marie Irey has been involved in theater for over 20 years. She minored in Theater at Saint Mary’s College and earned her Master’s of Education degree at DePaul University. Anne Marie is an alumna of The Second City and spent several years performing improv in Chicago. Recently, she taught fourth grade at Sacred Heart, where she founded an after-school drama program.
Two six-week sessions will be offered this winter and spring at Wheaton Drama Theater. (Discount if you register for both classes.)
All sessions will be on Tuesday afternoons at these times:
Grades k – 4 4.00 pm – 4.55 pm
Grades 5 – 8 5.00 pm – 5.55 pm
Fall 2015:
Session 1 Sept 8 – October 13 (make up Oct 20)
Session 2 Nov 3 – Dec 8 (Make up Dec 15)
Winter/Spring 2016:
Session 3 Jan 12 – Feb 16 (Make up Feb 23)
Session 4 Mar 8 – Apr 19 (Make up Apr 26)
Note: Classes are subject to change based on enrollment.
$100 per session per child
$180 per child for both sessions
(Applicants must register for both sessions
together/at same time to receive discount)
Contact Amy Brockman for more information at
workshop@wheatondrama.org
or call 630.260.1820 and leave a message about registration.
Hairspray Auditions at Wheaton Drama
August 13th, 2015Director, Patrick Stinson, announces upcoming auditions for the hilarious musical Hairspray to be held at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in Wheaton on Sunday September 20 and Monday September 21 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm . Call backs will be Thursday, September 24 if necessary.
Performance dates are: November 20 – December 13 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The show is primarily cast with teenagers of all ethnic backgrounds, ages 14-plus (or must look like a teenager). Hairspray is about breaking racial barriers. A key factor in delivering this message is having a cast of diverse races. ALL ETHNICITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO AUDITION.
Auditions will be by appointment. Email hairspraywdi@gmail.com to arrange for an audition appointment. All interested in auditioning should prepare a 16 bar snippet of a song from any show (please bring sheet music for the accompanist) and be prepared to learn a dance.
Featured Performers:
Tracy Turnblad ‐ A pleasantly plump teenager with a big heart who has dreams of being a dancing star … as soon as she’s out of detention for her big hair. Tracy isn’t afraid to be herself and stand up for what she believes in. She must be friendly, relentless, and goodhearted with a vibrant, lovable personality and love to sing and dance. Tracy is on stage for much of the show so she must have stamina and talent – she performs in 10+ numbers including “Good Morning Baltimore,” “I Can Hear The Bells,” and many more! It is truly a BIG role!
Mezzo‐Belt
Stage Age: 16‐19
Edna Turnblad ‐ Tracy’s kind, plus‐sized mother; runs a laundry business out of her home but hasn’t been out in a while. Played by Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, and John Travolta in the movie, this drag role requires a strong comic male performer who is ready for his inner woman to take the spotlight Edna is not a man pretending to be a
woman, she is all woman! Just, you know, with a distinctive voice. Performs in 5+ numbers including “You’re Timeless To Me.”
Tenor.
Stage Age: 40+
Wilbur Turnblad ‐ Tracy’s goofy father, who owns the Har‐De‐Har Hut joke shop and is still madly in love with his wife, Edna. He encourages Tracy to follow her dreams. Performs in 2+ numbers including “You’re Timeless To
Me.”
Baritone.
Stage Age: 40+
Corny Collins ‐ the exciting, confident dancing and singing host of his own TV dance show (think American
Bandstand at its inception). Corny is in favor of Tracy and racial integration. Performs in 4+ numbers including
“Nicest Kids In Town” and “Hairspray.” Tenor. Stage Age: 25+
Penny Pingleton ‐ Tracy’s slightly dorky, but lovable best friend who is often by her side (when not grounded for life by her mother, Prudy). Falls head over heels for Seaweed. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now” and “Without Love.”
Belt.
Stage Age: 16‐19
Amber von Tussle ‐ bratty, selfish resident princess of The Corny Collins Show. Her mother’s daughter through and through, she is willing to do anything to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant. Council Member. Performs in 7+ numbers including “Cooties.”
Belt.
Stage Age: 16‐19
Velma von Tussle – Amber’s slim and attractive but overbearing mother who pushes her daughter to seek stardom. Velma is the scheming producer of The Corny Collins Show who tries to steer it in the “white” direction. Her sensitivities are offended at the very sight of Tracy. A great villainess role. Performs in 4+ numbers including
“Miss Baltimore Crabs”.
Belt.
Stage Age: 40+
Link Larkin ‐ Teenage heartthrob, aspiring young Elvis, and male lead dancer on The Corny Collins Show. Falls in love with Tracy (Amber is soooo jealous!). Council Member. Performs in 7+ numbers including “It Takes Two.”
Crooning Baritone.
Stage Age: 16‐21
Seaweed J. Stubbs ‐ Motormouth Maybelle’s son and a talented dancer on The Corny Collins Show, but only allowed on “Negro Day.” Ends up in detention with Tracy. Falls in love with Penny. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Run And Tell That.”
Tenor.
Stage Age: 16‐19
Motormouth Maybelle ‐ the sassy Corny Collins “Negro Day” DJ. Owner of a record store and mother to Seaweed and Little Inez. Plus‐sized, she helps Edna find pride in herself. Performs in 3+ numbers including “Big,Blonde & Beautiful” and “I Know Where I’ve Been.”
Soulful Alto.
Stage age 40+
Little Inez – Seaweed’s little sister and just as talented a dancer. Tries to audition for The Corny Collins Show but is turned away by Velma because she is African American.. Performs in 3+ numbers including “Run And Tell That.”
Belt.
Stage Age: 13‐15
Renew Your Membership!
July 1st, 2015Hey, Wheaton Drama Members,
It’s time to renew your membership for 2015-16, if you can believe it. Please use the attached word doc or print the pdf, whichever is more convenient. Submission instructions are at the top of either. We look forward to working with you for another year!
Play It Again, Sam Auditions
June 6th, 2015Wheaton Drama announce auditions for Play It Again, Sam which will be held at 111 N. Hale Street in Wheaton, July 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held July 22. Auditions will be by appointment only and auditioners should contact the Director, Randall Knott at: samwdi2015@gmail.com for an appointment time.
Auditions will be readings from the script, with a “hired” reader. All auditioners will have an excellent scene partner with which to work. Chosen sides will be made public by July 10.
Looking for 5 actors to play the following characters:
Allen Felix (M) – late 20s/early 30s. Woody Allen wrote this role for himself. While it is not necessary to be a physical match for Mr. Allen, it helps. Actor must also be to understand the rhythm in Woody Allen standup.
Bogie (M) – Humphrey Bogart. Must look and act like Humphrey Bogart.
Linda Christie (F) – Late 20s/early 30s. Diane Keaton originated the role, which was written by her then-lover. The wife of Allen’s best friend. She’s a lot like Diane Keaton. AT
Dick Christie (M) – Late 20s/early 30s. Uptight investment real estate guy who doesn’t pay his wife enough attention. Also Allen’s best friend.
Nancy/Sharon/Sharon Lake/Gina/Vanessa/Go-Go Girl/Intellectual Girl/Barbara (F) – Late 20s/early 30s. One woman will be playing Nancy (Allen’s ex-wife) and all the other female roles. The conceit is that every woman Allen tries to date…winds up looking like his ex-wife. In reality, most of these roles are quite small, and bringing a volunteer in for rehearsals seems counter-productive to that volunteer’s time. This actor will have a LOT of stage time, and really stretch their abilities, however. And…they will stretch their ability to change clothes/wigs VERY quickly. This will be a fun challenge.
