Wheaton Drama

By: Elena Dansdill, September 2, 2019

After 88 years of providing theatre and arts for the community, Wheaton Drama is taking a step to open their doors to another group. Gretchen Gannon is the first deaf actor to work on a show at Wheaton Drama, and she’s blowing past everyone’s expectations. After deciding to return to theatre after a hiatus of almost 10 years, Gretchen realized many of the deaf theatres she previously worked at had folded, and auditioned for Wheaton Drama for the first time, landing an ensemble role in The Addams Family – A New Musical, playing September 13^th – October 6^th at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111.

“Without the gracious forward thinking of Wheaton Drama to make their theatre accessible to the Deaf Community, none of this would be possible,” Gretchen said in an interview, “For example, hiring Sign Language Interpreters for rehearsals and performances.  The interpreter keeps me in the “Family” business at all times with whatever is going on at that moment.” Additionally, she says that technology like Facebook, which wasn’t around when she began doing theatre, has helped her by giving her a way to watch rehearsal videos over to nail down each step.

Gretchen’s interpreter, Patti Shore Kaden, is just as excited to be working on this show, stating that it’s an honor for both of them to be working for a theatre that’s never been accessible before. “Gretchen brings depth and creativity to this theatre,” said Patti, who’s worked for 30 years as an interpreter.  “People who come to the show will see this and be part of the magic.” Gretchen certainly does have a bit of magic that every actor needs. At rehearsal, Gretchen is the one high fiving and laughing with all the cast members, bringing out the best in them all. She says people have always seen her as an entertainer, making them smile and relax, and that’s what draws her to theatre.

            Besides casting their first deaf actor, Wheaton Drama is also offering an interpreter at four different performances of The Addams Family for  deaf and hard of hearing audiences. This is a huge step towards making Wheaton Drama more accessible, and one that needs to happen more often in community theatres, according to Gretchen. In some productions that perhaps offer one interpreted performance, Gretchen points out that only offering one show with an interpreter just doesn’t work and “lessens the opportunity for all people to see the show. The more options, the better,” she says.

            “The opportunity to make the show accessible was made possible in part by Gretchen’s talent and tenacity, the leadership of the production team for Addams Family, headed by director Dan Hitzemann, and by generous donations,” says Wheaton Drama president, Julie Kanturek. “Honestly, we didn’t set out to create a show inclusive for more audiences, but Gretchen blew the socks off our production team; they knew we had to have her, and we knew we needed to figure out how to make it happen.”  Creating a show with inclusivity involves hiring an interpreter for the rehearsals, and two interpreters for each performance to bring the show to life through sign language, costs the theatre hadn’t originally considered when budgeting the show. “Thankfully, before we’d even decided as a board to hire interpreters for four performances, we had the commitment of an anonymous donor to help make it happen. Since then, we reached out to Representative Terra Costa Howard, who has also generously agreed to help. The support of our community, both inside and outside our theater, is what is really special about this production. And it means Wheaton Drama is becoming even more accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community – and to anyone who loves theatre.”

            The Addams Family – A New Musical opens at Wheaton Drama on Friday the 13^th of September through October 6^th, with performances on Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Four performances of The Addams Family will be ASL (American Sign Language) interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing: Saturday 9/14 at 2 pm, Sunday 9/22 at 3 pm, Sunday 9/29 at 3 pm, and Saturday 10/5 at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit www.wheatondrama.org.

Wheaton Drama proudly announces auditions for “Addams Family, the Musical” on Sunday July 21 and Monday July 22.  Callbacks will be scheduled for Tuesday July 23 if needed. The show is directed by Dan Hitzemann, Musical director is Amy Brockman and Choreographer is Kate McIlvain. The show will run Friday-Sunday, September 13 – October 6, with TWO shows on Saturdays (2p and 7:30p). There are no Thursday performances.

Auditions on Sunday July 21 will begin at 2PM.  Auditions on Monday July 22 will begin at 7PM.

We ask you that you sign up for auditions at  WDIAddams@gmail.com.  You can request which day you would prefer, but we will assign the times on a first come, first serve basis.  Each day will have three one-hour blocks to which you will be assigned. These blocks will rotate between singing, dancing and some cold readings.

Please complete the audition form found here and return to WDIAddams@gmail.com with your preferred audition date.  Something will get back to you with a confirmation of your time and any further information.

Audition Requirements

Please prepare 32 bars of a song, not from this musical but in the style of the show.  You must provide your own sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. You will also be asked to learn a simple dance combination, so please dress to move.  Cold readings will be provided, and you will have an opportunity to read for any desired role as well as at the director’s discretion. All roles are available. 

This is a non-Equity production; there is no pay.

DANCE WORKSHOP

A dance workshop will be provided for those who would like to shake off the rust or just get a sense of the steps that will be used for the audition.  This is NOT MANDATORY but provided for those who want to learn a step or two.

This will be held Sunday July 14^th at 2PM at WDI.  Please come in comfortable clothing and shoes.  

Show Description

This is the Addams family, based on the Addams cartoons with nods to the 60’s TV show and the 90’s movies. The Addams children have grown, and Wednesday has fallen in love with a very normal boy.  Chaos ensures as the Addams roll out the red carpet for the boy’s family and secrets, potions and love help to win the day.

We are presenting this in a 30’s style “spotlight” show, with plenty of surprises and involvement for our ancestor chorus.

Character Breakdown

Please note, age ranges are ages of the characters, not necessarily the actors portraying them with the exception of Wednesday who must be 18 or older.

Gomez Addams –  Aged 35-55

“Husband to Morticia, if indeed they are married at all… a crafty schemer, but also a jolly man in his own way… though sometimes misguided… sentimental and often puckish – optimistic, he is in full enthusiasm for his dreadful plots… is sometimes seen in a rather formal dressing gown… the only one who smokes.“

Morticia Addams – Aged 30-55

“The real head of the family… low-voiced, incisive and subtle, smiles are rare… ruined beauty… contemptuous and original and with fierce family loyalty… even in disposition, muted, witty, sometimes deadly… given to low-keyed rhapsodies about her garden of deadly nightshade, henbane and dwarf’s hair…” 

Wednesday Addams – Aged 19-25

“Child of woe is wan and delicate…sensitive and on the quiet side, she loves the picnics and outings to the underground caverns…loves the color black…a solemn child, prim in dress and, on the whole, pretty lost…secretive and imaginative, poetic, seems underprivileged and given to occasional tantrums…has six toes on one foot…” 

Pugsley Addams – Aged 13-17

“An energetic monster of a boy… blond red hair, popped blue eyes and a dedicated troublemaker, in other words the kid next door… genius in his own way, he makes toy guillotines, full-size racks, threatens to poison his sister, can turn himself into a Mr. Hyde with an ordinary chemical set… his voice is hoarse… is sometimes allowed an occasional cigar” 

Uncle Fester  – Aged ?

“Uncle Fester is incorrigible and, except for the good nature of the family and the ignorance of the police, would ordinarily be under lock and key… the eyes are pig-like and deeply embedded… he likes to fish, but usually employs dynamite… he keeps falcons on the roof which he uses for hunting… his one costume, summer and winter, is a black great coat with an enormous collar… he is fat with pudgy little hands and feet.” 

Lurch – Aged ?

” This towering mute has been shambling around the house forever… He is not a very good butler but a faithful one… One eye is opaque, the scanty hair is damply clinging to his narrow flat head… generally the family regards him as something of a joke.” 

Grandmama – Aged ?

“This disrespectful old hag is the mother of Gomez… she willingly helps with the dishes, cheats at solitaire and is roughly dishonest… the complexion is dark, the hair is white and frizzy and uncombed… she has a light beard and a large mole… foolishly good-natured… fumbling, weak character… is easily fooled.” 

Mel Bienkie – Aged 35-65

A midwestern conservative businessman.  Has done well for himself, but has spent too much time at the office to understand his wife or his son.  Would rather be anywhere else.

Alice Bienkie – Aged 35-65 

Mid-western housewife and Mom.  She has been waiting for something to come along to shake up her humdrum existence.  

Lukas Bienkie – Aged 19-25

College student who desperately doesn’t want to be his Dad.  Very in love with Wednesday as she represents all the adventure he is missing and is unsure of in his life.

Addams Ancestors – Chorus

15 Chorus members

Some of the chorus will be youth from 12-18 and the rest will be adults 18+.  Numbers may vary.

The Chorus will be made up of various characters from throughout Addams history.  The actors will also be used as scenery, puppeteers and extra dancers for various scenes.  We are looking for creative singers, dancers and actors who are willing to create these various characters (cavemen, soldiers, flappers, nurses, farmers, lords and ladies, etc…) and also play a variety of roles on the stage from statue to lamp.

Wheaton Drama is proud to announce its audition schedule for the 2019/2020 Season. Save the date information is listed below for each of the shows, and more information about time, place and requirements for each show are forthcoming on our website and social media. Mark your calendars now – and join us in making the 2019/2020 Season at Wheaton Drama remarkable!

• The Addams Family Auditions – July 21, July 22; Callbacks – July 23; Optional Dance Workshop –  Sunday July 14. Auditions will be scheduled in group rotations.
• Moonlight and Magnolias Auditions – Sep 15, Sep 16; Callbacks – Sep 17. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Merry Mad Mid-Mod Auditions – Aug 4. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Little Women The Broadway Musical Auditions –  Nov 3, Nov 4; Callbacks – Nov 5.
• Hauptmann Auditions – Jan 19, Jan 20; Callbacks – Jan 22. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Peter and the Starcatcher Auditions – March 29, March 30; Callbacks March 31. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.

Wheaton Drama is now accepting applications from members who are interested in directing for the 2019-2020 Season.

If you are interested in directing one of these shows, please submit an application to Artistic Committee Chair Christine Pfenninger at: christine.pfenninger@icloud.com by FEBRUARY 15, 2019. A separate application must be filed for each show you are submitting to direct.

The Artistic Committee will interview all prospective Directors on Tuesday Feb. 26 or Wednesday Feb. 27 from 7-10pm in WDI’s Green Room (basement). If necessary, additional interviews may be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 7-10pm. The Artistic Committee Chair will contact prospective directors to schedule an appointment.

If selected to direct, part of your commitment to Wheaton Drama will be participation in a post-show survey/interview  with a Board liaison. Additional information and job descriptions will be forwarded once your appointment is set.

Announcement of the season’s shows and directors will be published in the April 2019 TYRO.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 2/15/2019

2019-2020 Season Shows

• The Addams Family (Sept 13-Oct 5, 2019 – 15 shows) (musical)
• Moonlight & Magnolias (Nov 15-Dec 8, 2019 – 14 shows) (comedic play)
• Little Women: The Musical (Jan 17-Feb 9, 2020 – 15 shows) (musical)
• Hauptmann (Mar 20- Apr 5, 2020 – 11 shows) (dramatic play)
• Peter & The Starcatcher (May 22-Jun 14, 2020 – 15 performances) (play with music)

Please note there is no pay or stipend for this position.