The Pennington Players are set to hold auditions for their production of Big River, based on Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The musical includes American Sign Language and has roles for both deaf and hearing actors.
The production is based on the adaption of Big River by the Roundabout Theatre Company and the American Deaf West Theatre performed in 2003. The adaption featured a blend of ASL with traditional choreography and staging.
The Pennington Players are looking for about 20 actors.
Roles for hearing actors include Mark Twain (male, age around 30 years, tenor), Jim (male, age 30 or older, baritone), the Duke (male, age 35 or older, baritone), Tom Sawyer (male, age 15-20, tenor), Mary Jane Wilkes (female, age 18-24, mezzo-soprano), The Widow Douglas (female, age 40 or older, mezzo-soprano), Alice’s Daughter (female, age 20 or older).
The players are also looking for males and females age 15 and older for the ensemble and smaller roles throughout the show.
Roles for deaf actors include Huck Finn (male, reads 15-20 years of age), the King (male, 35 or older), Pap (male, 50 or older) and Miss Watson (female, age 40 or older).
Additionally, there are ensemble roles for deaf actors age 15 and older.
Preliminary auditions for hearing actors are scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. June 25 and 1:30 to 4 p.m June 29. Hearing actors are asked to prepare one complete song and be ready to dance.
Hearing actors are required to perform some amount of sign interpretation during the show. Auditioners will be taught a small amount of sign as a part of the choreography audition.
Preliminary auditions for deaf actors are scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. June 27 and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 29. Deaf actors are asked to prepare a 2 to 3 minute story and present it in sign language. In addition, a brief choreography combination will be taught at the preliminary audition.
Callbacks for all roles are set for June 30.
Audition appointments are strongly recommended for all actors. To make an audition appointment, email auditions@penningtonplayers.org.
Performances of Big River are scheduled for October 4 through 6 and 11 through 13 at Kelsey Theatre, on campus at Mercer County Community College.
More information is online at penningtonplayers.org.
