For students in first through eighth grade, a fun experience for all!

Young performers will learn basic stage 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.

Anne Marie Irey, the program instructor, 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 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. (There’s a discount if you register for both classes.)

Grades 1-4 4-5 PM
Session A: Tuesday, Jan. 6 thru Tuesday, Feb. 10
(Snow date: Feb. 17, if needed)
Session B: Tuesday, March 3 thru Tuesday, April 14
(No class March 31 for spring break)

Grades 5-8 5-6 PM
Session A: Tuesday, Jan. 6 thru Tuesday, Feb. 10
(Snow date: Feb. 17, if needed)
Session B: Tuesday, March 3 thru Tuesday, April 14
(No class March 31 for spring break)

Note: Classes are subject to change based on enrollment.

$100 per session per child; $180 per child for both sessions
(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.

Wheaton Drama, Inc. | 111 N. Hale Street | Wheaton | IL | 60187

AUDITIONS

“The 39 Steps”

Sun/Mon Nov 16-17 (Callbacks Wed Nov 19)

Director: Ken Kaden

Production Manager: Rob Reinalda / Assistant Director: Dee Hicks

Stage Manager: Elyse Willis

Note to auditionees:

“The 39 Steps” is an exceedingly physical play, in which four actors play 150+ characters. All four actors must be physically fit, with supreme coordination, dexterity, and stamina.

Except for Richard Hannay, characters use multiple accents, including standard British, Scottish, Cockney and German. Auditionees will be required to demonstrate credible accents.

Auditions and callbacks will be held at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, Illinois. They will start at 7 p.m.

Performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, and Sunday matinees at 3, running Jan. 30 through Feb. 22, 2015.

THE PLAYERS:

Richard Hannay
(Plausibly 37 years old): Dashing, charismatic 1930s movie star type. One of Hitchcock’s “wrong men” who is thrown into danger and reluctantly takes on that responsibility. Standard British accent.

Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
(20s-30s): Attractive, vulnerable at times. Deadpan comedic skills a plus. Pamela is a “Hitchcock blonde” whose prickly exterior gives way to warmth. German, British, Scottish accents.

The Clowns
(any age): These two perform scores of characters, rapidly changing personae and accents, ages and sexes. Lots of physical comedy. Standard British, Londoner/Cockney, Scottish accents, German.

Audition specifics:

For an audition appointment, please email 39stepswdi@gmail.com, with your desired role(s) and your availability on Nov. 16-17. (Emailing headshot/resume is encouraged.) We will email you your audition appointment slot. No audition slots will be assigned after Friday, Nov. 14. Walk-ins on Nov. 16-17 will be seen only if time allows.

Hannay-only candidates should prepare a two-minute monologue of your choosing using Standard British.

All others should prepare two one-minute monologues—one in a Scottish accent, the other using another accent (chosen from standard British, Londoner/Cockney, German).

Callbacks
(Nov. 19, by invitation only) will include readings from the script, as well as some movement.

Life coach offers a special workshop for actors

Ben Dooley will conduct a three-weekend workshop at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111 focusing on the role we play in our daily lives.

Every actor knows the process when we take on a role. It’s Acting 101 to ask the basic questions:

• Who are you?
• Where are you now?
• What do you want?
• What’s in your way?
• How will you get it?

But what about the “role” that we’re playing in our lives—the role of “the actor” in “the Big Show”?

What if we applied the same (or similar) process to how we approach building our career, our confidence and our success and our lives?

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE,

AND WE ARE THE PLAYERS

Introducing a breakthrough workshop for actors at all levels combining state-of-the-art techniques for deep personal growth and success with the experience
of being an actor.

WEEK 1: GETTING TO KNOW THE ROLE

Prepare to play the greatest role of your life. Discover how to break down and develop the most exciting character you could imagine.

WEEK 2: TUNING YOUR INSTRUMENT

Play with tigers, dig into your brains, breathe new life into your acting.

Discover the single most powerful technique you can apply to your acting/audition/anything and create a deep powerful connection and confidence.

WEEK 3: TAPPING IN TO YOUR POWER

You have untapped power, passion and potential. It’s like the Matrix. Once you see your true power, you will be unstoppable.

Beginners and seasoned actors, there is something exciting for you in this workshop that will make a powerful impact in your acting experience.

Create stronger character development, tap into deep unshakable confidence, eliminate audition and performance anxiety.

Exclusively at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111.

Saturdays, Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, from 2 – 5 p.m.

$97 for the full three weeks; $40 for a single session

BIO:

Ben Dooley has been a professional working actor for over 20 years, bringing his full self, range and excellence to nearly every medium in the
business—theater, voiceovers and on camera for commercial, industrial, radio, television, toys, books on tape, video games, print jobs, motion capture and
traveling in the circus.

For the last 11 years, Ben has also been working full-time as a certified life coach, skilled in helping people tap into their full power, their best
selves and their unshakable confidence so they can create their success and achieve their dreams.

In his rambling manor house in 1906 England, widower Archibald Craven yearns for his beautiful wife. He blames his son, Colin, for her death and has isolated and neglected the boy. Young Mary Lennox  comes to live with them after her parents’ death and finds a hidden, walled garden. She releases the magic within, changing their lives forever.

AUDITIONS

Children (under 18): Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, noon to 3PM

(If the child is not available on Sept. 20, please specify his/her availability)

Adults: Sunday/Monday, Sept. 21-22, 2014, 7PM to 10PM

Callbacks: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, 7PM to 10PM—by invitation only

(If you are not available for callbacks, please alert director when requesting your audition slot)

All auditions/performances will be at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL

Show runs Nov. 14 through Dec. 7, 2014; no performance Thanksgiving Day.

Audition slots can be requested starting Sept. 1, 2014. Please email the following to anthonyberg1@yahoo.com:

• Name
• Phone number and email address
• Age (if under 18)
• Parents’ names and phone (if under 18)
• Which role(s) are you most interested in?
• Are willing to accept any role?
• How did you hear about the auditions?

Walk-ins will also be seen (as time allows) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Auditioners should prepare 16–32 bars of a musical theater song in the style of “The Secret Garden” but not from the show itself. Please provide sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided.

Auditioners may not sing a cappella, nor with recorded music.

If you are auditioning only for a non-singing role, you will read from the script at your initial audition and you will not be required to sing.

A short dance call will be part of the preliminary audition. Please dress for freedom of movement.

CHARACTERS (unless specified, all roles require a standard British accent)

Archibald Craven (30s–50s) Tenor. Hunchbacked man overcome with grief over the loss of his beloved wife. Father to Colin. He takes in Mary, who reminds him of his late wife. He longs for reasons to move on and live again.

Lily Craven (25–35) Soprano. Dies in childbirth having Colin. As a spirit she watches over Archie and Colin, wanting only love and happiness for them.

Colin Craven (8–13) Soprano. Though Colin is basically healthy, his father’s overprotective nature has kept him bed-ridden and weak. Spoiled and demanding, Colin craves parental love and friends his age.

Dr. Neville Craven (30s–50s) Baritone. Archie’s brother. Was in love with Lily. Oversees the manor’s management and Colin’s care.

Capt. Albert Lennox (30–50) Tenor. Mary’s father. Dies of cholera early on and follows Mary as a spirit.

Rose Lennox (28–40) Mezzo. Mary’s mother. Dies of cholera early on and follows Mary as a spirit.

Mary Lennox (8–13), Mezzo. The heart of the story. After her parents die of cholera, she goes to live in a strange , new home with her Uncle Archie. Curious and astute, yet subject to childish tantrums. Needs to feel loved and at home.

Martha Sowerby (18–early 30s) Mezzo. Chambermaid at Misselthwaite Manor who takes a liking to Mary. Dickon’s sister. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Dickon Sowerby (14–mid-20s) Tenor. A sprightly young fellow who loves nature and can charm animals. Martha’s brother. Fascinated by Misselthwaite’s gardens and mazes. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Ben Weatherstaff (40+) Tenor. Head gardener at Misselthwaite Manor. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Mrs. Medlock (35-60+) Head housekeeper for Misselthwaite. Busy, no-nonsense woman.

Fakir (18+) Tenor/alto/soprano. Indian chanter. (Open on gender and ethnicity).

Ayah (18+) Alto. Mary’s Indian nanny. (Open on ethnicity.)

Lt. Ian Shaw (25–35+) Tenor. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Lt. Peter Wright (25–35+) Baritone. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Major Holmes (35–45+) Bass. Officer in Captain Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Claire Holmes (25–40+) Soprano. Major Holmes wife. Dies of cholera.

Alice (25-40+ years old) Soprano. Rose’s friend. Dies of cholera.

Major Shelley (35–50+) Officer in Captain Lennox’s. Takes care of Mary before she moves in with Archie.

Mrs. Shelley (35–50+) Wife to Major Shelley. Takes care of Mary before she moves in with Archie.

Mrs. Winthrop (40s–60s) Head Mistress of an all-girls boarding school. Neville asks that she come to see Mary.

Non-age-specific characters:

Nurse (non-singing)

William. Tenor

Betsy. Alto

Timothy. Bass

Ensemble: 2 men, 2 women (possibly more or fewer)

Whether your child is a seasoned performer or a “newbie”, Wheaton Drama’s summer theater workshop is designed for all kids. Enroll now and enjoy watching him or her develop skills that could be life changing. Lauren Blane will be choreographing week one students. Her training began at the Faubourg Ballet Academy under Watmora Casey. She has been featured in the Marriott Theater’s productions of “SHOUT!” and “Now and Forever and Mary Poppins”.

Cyndi Bringer will be teaching one section of 6-8 grade in week two. Cyndi has taught drama at Westfield Middle School for the past ten years and has her MA in directing from Roosevelt University. She is on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Theatre Association as the “Theatre for Young Audiences” representative.

Amy Brockman will be teaching music during week one and has been musical director for WDI summer workshop for the past five years. She has a degree in vocal performance and music education from Coe College. Amy is this year’s workshop coordinator.

Kelly Buesse will be teaching vocal music in the week two session. She has performed off Broadway, in national tours and regional theaters. Kelly has a degree in music from Westminster Choir College and a master’s degree in voice from NIU.

Becky DeDecker will be teaching week one for third through fifth graders and week two as choreographer. She currently teaches drama classes at Waubonsie Valley H.S. and was the choreographer for the 2013 Illinois All-State production of “Memphis”.

Vicky Giannini will be teaching week one for the first and second graders. She has worked as a teaching artist at Goodman Theatre and with the General Theater Program. She also has extensive stage experience.

Lisa Schmela will be teaching week two high school students. Lisa is a professional actor and holds membership in SAG and AFTRA. She was classically trained by Nicholas Pennell from Stratford and Gillian Eaton of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Week One: July 7 – 11: Destination: Adventure! Grades 1 – 5 (two sessions offered, only sign up for one) Morning session 8.30 – 12.00, Performance July 12 at 10.30 am Afternoon session 1.00 – 4.30, Performance July 12 at 2.00 pm $100 per student

Week Two: July 14 – 18 Life Upon The Wicked Stage Middle School and High School 9.00 am – 4.30 pm, (Note: Bring a sack lunch) Performance July 19 at 10.00 am $200 per student For more information: call 630-260-1820 or go to www.wheatondrama.org/classes