North Texas Performing Arts Seeks Professional Actors
Presenting Educational Daytime Regional Touring Show Chicken Big
PLANO, TX – North Texas Performing Arts celebrates the 12th anniversary of their Page to Stage Series of professional daytime children's programming with a regional touring production of Chicken Big.
The Page to Stage series develops literacy through the performing arts by bringing beloved books to life for local school and children’s groups. Children and teachers alike are delighted by fully-staged musicals performed by a professional troupe of actors. All shows in the Page to Stage series are approximately 1hr and perfect for preschool-5th grade.
Chicken Big will be directed by Bethany Bourland, who has been directing and teaching children’s theatre for nine years and holds Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama: Acting Emphasis from the University of Oklahoma Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama.
North Texas Performing Arts is looking for diverse, non-union actors over the age of 18, and high school graduates, to star in their Daytime Theatre for Young Audiences production of Chicken Big.
Auditions will be held at NTPA’s Willow Bend Center of the Arts, 6121 W Park Blvd, Suite B216, Plano, TX on Wednesday, March 6th, 3:00-5:00 PM and Thursday, March 7th, 2:00-4:00 PM. Actors should bring a headshot and resume. Actors should prepare and memorize a one-minute Theatre for Young Audiences monologue and a one-minute musical theatre song.
Rehearsals will be held Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM, starting March 25. Actors must come to the first rehearsal memorized. Final Dress will be Monday, April 8. All rehearsals will be at North Texas Performing Arts – Plano (6121 W. Park Blvd. B216, Plano, TX 75093)
Chicken Big will perform at several different touring locations. There will be a minimum of 16 performances, starting as early as April 9, 2019. Additional performances may be added based on need.
All actors are expected to show up to the first rehearsal memorized. All actors cast will be responsible for every aspect of the production, including load-in and out of all props, costumes and set pieces. The actors may be asked to help find costume and prop pieces for the production. All actors will be paid a flat rate rehearsal stipend of $200, and an additional $35-$40 per performance. All actors will report to every performance location via their own transportation and therefore must have reliable transportation. All rehearsals and performances will be held during the day- actors who are unavailable during the day should not audition. Please note that all rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Actors who fail to be on time on a regular basis or make all of the rehearsals will be compensated less than the above rate.
Chicken Big is written by Books Alive! and based on the book by Keith Graves.
Character Breakdown:
Chicken Big - Practical, wise, and level-headed. Like a child, wonders about the big world around him that he does not understand. A2 to A4
Gertrude – Married to Gregory. Over the top, bossy, possibly with a Jersey accent. A3 to A5
Gregory -Married to Gertrude. Argumentative. Mutterer and talks under his breath. Loaded with facts. A2 to A4
Mother Chirple - Gregory’s Mother-in- law and Gertrude’s mom. Old age has hit her hard. Can barely see or hear and is possibly insane. A3 to A5
Questions may be directed to Bethany Bourland at [email protected]
Actors should go to ntpa.us/chickenbig to schedule an audition slot.
ABOUT NORTH TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS
North Texas Performing Arts is a 501(c)3 organization that provides educational theatre programs to North Texas communities. NTPA is dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. For more information on the organization and programs, visit our website at northtexasperformingarts.org or call the offices at 972-422-2575.
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