Calling all actors, singers, tumblers, jugglers, performers, dancers, and anyone who wants to catch a bit of the theatre bug this fall. Northland Pioneer College (NPC) will hold auditions for the musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress on Tuesday, August 19, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center located on the Snowflake/Taylor – Silver Creek Campus, 1611 S. Main St.
Composed by Mary Rogers, daughter of Richard (Rogers and Hammerstein), with lyrics by Marshall Barer, and boasting a libretto by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer, this show is a comical twist on Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Queen Aggravain has ordered that no one in the kingdom may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab, finds a suitable bride. Desperate to wed before her “condition” becomes obvious to all, the expectant Lady Larken implores her beau, Sir Harry, to find the prince a princess. He returns with the unconventional Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. Her arrival sparks chaos as her boisterous personality clashes with the Queen’s expectations. To prove Winnifred’s unworthiness of royalty, the Queen devises the infamous “sensitivity test,” placing a pea under a mountain of mattresses. Despite being anything but delicate, Winnifred manages to pass the test, and the Queen’s manipulations are soon revealed.
The play’s director, NPC Faculty in Theater and Speech, Carson Saline, said, “We’re looking for actors who can bring a lot of character to these roles. This is a musical comedy, and the characters need strong personalities, some playfulness, as well as musical and movement ability. These characters are all grown-ups, so we need actors who can play 18-99. No, you don’t have to be 18 - just able to portray it convincingly (High Schoolers and community members, I’m looking at you). Together, the ensemble will explore themes of burgeoning romance, true love, overcoming adversity, and challenging preconceived notions of how things should look. It should be a delightful journey for all involved.” Auditions are open to ANYONE- not just current NPC students and will consist of musical performances and a short dance/movement call.
Those wishing to audition should be familiar with the story and the characters. Performers need to prepare two (2) contrasting one-minute song cuts in the musical style of the show. Each cut should be no longer than one minute in length. An accompanist will be provided. Appointments to audition must be made online at www.npc.edu/auditions. See the website for more information, including descriptions of the play’s characters and tips on auditioning.
Fall performances of Once Upon a Mattress will be held at NPC’s Performing Arts Center in Snowflake, AZ, November 14-22. For audition questions, contact Carson Saline at carson.saline@npc.edu or call (928) 536-6247.
