Confused? Here’s the details:

This October 3^rd, 2011 we will be auditioning for our first full length production. We will continue to travel! We are devoted to bringing quality plays to the people instead of you driving to us. Interested? Keep an eye out for our flyers across southern Maine.

Here are the audition details:

The Poland Troupe will be auditioning for the January production of Plaza Suite by Neil Simon. This quick witty comedy is a classic among his repertory.

We will be looking for 2-3 males and 2-3 females of ages ranging 20-50 years old to round out the cast. The cast list is comprised of three couples and servant roles, all characters (as is Neil Simon’s style).

 When:

October 3, 2011

at 6pm

Where:

Poland Rec Center,

1231 Maine Street,

Poland, ME 04274

Why:

We love theatre!

And we want to bring you shows that will make you love theatre. The Shakespeare in the Park series will continue as always next summer. However, we felt it was a bit to cold to have you sit on the lawn of you local library and watch a bunch of actors beat each other with swords.

Come out and audition and help us take our next step. Hope to see you all there!

However, we have been working on the play The Tempest and have a show we are ready to present.  We will debut with the Norway Arts Festival in Norway, ME.  At 3:15pm on Saturday we have been invited to perform in the square.  Please come see the result of all our hardwork.

Also, on the performances page, we have posted three or four other venues.  Not to worry!  There are plenty more that are in the final stages of confirming.

Hope to see you all at some point this summer!

One Wednesday, the cast is expected to be at the PRHS fields Wednesday from 4-8pm.  We’re going to start with a read-through before we begin blocking the show.  You are responsible for printing out your own scripts, which you may use for the read-through.  However, once we start blocking, it would be nice for you to put down papers so we can run the scenes.  You will still be allowed to call for line, which is what Bryant and John are here for.

A couple rules to go by:

1)  Always bring water!  The troupe as a whole will be supplying snacks over the course of the summer, and each actor will be allowed one trip to the Dunkin’s or Mobile per rehearsal (I will prefer you go in groups, and will expect you to wait for a decent break in our rehearsal.)  All of that aside, though, you should still always bring a bottle of water.

2)  Do not answer your cellphone while working directly with me.  It’s unprofessional and distracting to the others you’re working with.  Save your calls for your ride, parents or others until you’re working in smaller groups.  Even then, make sure the conversation is succinct and not impeding on your time with your fellow actors.

3)  Please always be on time.  Expect construction and traffic and plan accordingly.  If you’re going to be late, call and let us know.

4)  It is expected that everyone attend every rehearsal.  If for some reason you cannot, it is understandable.  Shoot me an email and let me know so I can plan accordingly.  If there is a last minute emergency or reason do not email or text, call me.

5)  Have fun   That’s why it’s a play, isn’t it?

I have sent an email to everyone, and asked that you respond to confirm you have my new email address.  Once you’ve done that I’m going to email you some questions to think about for your character.

Have a good week, and I’ll see you soon!

Those who are casted will be emailed withing the next day or two asking for a confirmation of your acceptance.  We will be meeting either at the end of May or beginning of June to kick off the season.  In the meantime a script will be emailed to you, and your lines need to be memorized.

If you ever need to contact D’arcy or I please feel free, we’d love to hear from you while we wait out the school year!

Merchant of Venice

Directed by D’arcy Robinson

Portia – Rylee Dioron

Shylock – Bryant Cyr

Basanio – Caleb Lacey

Antonio – Alexi Saliba

Gratiano – Dan Burgess

Jessica – Maggie Wittemore

Nerissa – Alyson Sylvester

Lorenzo – Zach Dickie

Prince of Aragon – Anthony Marvin

Prince of Morocco – Andrew Leeman

~

The Tempest

Directed by Lexi Wight

Prospero – D’arcy Robinson

Miranda – Jackie Joncas

Ferdinand – Shawn Bang

Antonio – Zach Dickie

Alonso – Alexi Saliba

Caliban – Caleb Lacey

Ariel – Rylee Dioron

Stephano – Bryant Cyr

Trinculo – Anthony Marvin

When the cast list has been decided you will be notified via email, as well as a copy posted here.

In the meantime, friend us on Facebook!

The Poland Shakespeare Troupe is a repertory company that travels with 1 hour long versions of Shakespeare’s work.  We perform various places during the summer. We will be accepting between 8-10 actors for the season. This means you need to audition with the intent of being in both shows. There is a total of two practices a week (one per show) about 2-3 hours each, we will decide on specific days during the first meeting in May.

By auditioning now, you should plan on the last three weeks of July being performance dates. Last year we had about five performances per week, give or take. Our performances are around late afternoon to early evening.  We would prefer that you be available for all of them.

Also, we will be asking all of our actors to be off book for the first rehearsal at the end of May.

For The Merchant of Venice and The Tempest, here are the audition dates:

Poland Regional High School, March 12 at 3:30pm (Sides will be provided)

USM Gorham, March 14 at 3:30-5:30pm*

Bates College, March 15 at 4-7pm*

*Resume and head shot required upon auditioning. Also, we ask you to prepare a very short monologue that you can present, one I can work for a short time with you on. From our selected plays is alright, but not required.

Any actors who are interested in getting college credit may do so, but it is entirely up to you and your school to arrange it.

If there are any questions, feel free to contact Lexi Wight (awight1340@wsc.ma.edu).

What we do know is the approximate dates for the auditions will fall between March 11-17, so keep those dates open.

In the next month, decisions will be made and audition plans will be finalized.  Please start keeping an eye on the blog for all that upcoming information.

Also, make sure you’re spreading the word.  No publicity we do will complete the job as easily as word of mouth will.  So tell all of your friends about the hard work you’ve done and the amazing show we’re performing.

Starting with the Sunday matinee of As You Like It we would like to ask that everyone/anyone to be off script.  We would like to do all of our performances this week without any binders on stage.

Here’s the week at a glance:

Sunday 8/1: As You Like It at Poland Spring Campground (Closed performance)

The show starts at 2pm. The two trucks will meet at the high school to load up at 12:30. The rest of you are to get dropped off at the campground at 1:00 pm. For directions call Alexz or I after 4pm tomorrow.

Also, Following the performance, the cast will be invited to play kickball and then we will go swimming.  Parents can pick up around 5pm.

Monday 8/2: Henry V at Poland Spring Inn and Resort.

The performance is at 3pm. Actor’s are called at 1:30 at the high school.  I will be there at 1pm for anyone who needs help on scenes or fighting.  We will be leaving the high school at 2pm, and once we arrive at the Inn we will move the seats, set up our set and have a fight call.

Following the performance, Dan will be hosting a movie night at his home. We will carpool over as soon as we unload the set.

Tuesday 8/3: As You Like It at the Gray Library at 6pm.

Call is at 4pm at the high school, and forty minutes should give us time – with traffic – to get here with time to spare.  Plan on us being back at the high school for 8pm at the latest.  If anyone wants/can afford supper, let us know at the Inn performance, and maybe we can arrange a stopping point on our way back to the school.

Wednesday 8/4: Henry V at Ricker Memorial Library at 6pm.

Call will be at the high school at 5pm, and we will load up the blocks to transfer over.  While the girls and I set up the chairs, our fighters will have their fight call on the front lawn.  Afterwards, if anyone is interested, maybe we can skip over to Ruby Rose for some ice cream before heading home.  Otherwise, parents can plan to pick you guys up from the school around 8pm.

Thursday 8/5: Both plays at the Lake House Inn at 5:30 pm.

This will be a long evening, guys, so rest up!  We have a call at 3:30pm to pack up BOTH sets and head out to Waterford, ME.  We will unload and socialize in character before performing As You Like It then you will very orderly walk up to the ballroom to change into costumes before performing Henry V. Bring a couple dollars in the event we decide to stop, otherwise plan on being back at the school for around 9:30pm.

Saturday 8/7: Henry V at Poland Spring Campground at 6:30pm.

The final Performance!   The trucks need to be at the high school at 5:00pm.  Everyone else needs to promptly arrive at Alexz’s front yard at 5:30pm.  Do NOT plan a ride from the highschool because there are no plans to carpool from there.  Bring $3 or $4 to buy an ice cream while we all hang out around the campfire for a little while before we say our goodbyes and head home.  Plan on being back at the high school for 8:30pm.

**This is it Guys. Get off book, keep energy up, and stay healthy. Getting plenty of sleep, tea and water will be crucial for what will be our most demanding stretch of performances since the company began. LETS DO THIS GUYS!

Week 2 of performances are upon us. Everyone be sure to keep up on their lines, work, and most importantly your rest. We have 3 more performances this week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday again. However we do open Henry V this week which will take additional energy for lines and sword fighting. So, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES!

A few notes about performances before I get to the schedule:

1) you guys made leaps and bounds and finished great this week with all three performances.

2) The audiences loved you, Love them back: Be sure to interact with the audience not only in the play but before and after. Everything we do is for them, after all.

3) Dan will be hiding any props that are not taken care of properly. So don’t let this happen, please.

4) and lastly, don’t think that the work is done: keep refreshing your memory on As You Like It lines and blocking even while you work on Henry V. We can’t lose this awesome momentum that we have built up.

So the Schedule:

Sunday 7/25 – This willbe our 2 pm showing of As You Like It at the McLaughlin Gardens. Since the show is at 2:00pm, we will call everyone at the school, in costumes, for 12:30pm. This will give us plenty of time to get over to South Paris. After the show, we’re going to do a quick photo shoot in the gardens before heading across the street to the ice cream place. We’re hoping to have you back at the school for 4:30 pm (ish).

*** Monday 7/26 – Henry V rehearsal, as planned last week, will still happen as such:

6:00 pm – Fight call – All actors called! We will be running fights in real-time so I will need fighters and non-fighters

6:30 pm – Dress Rehearsal of Henry V

Tuesday 7/27 – Henry V at the Poland Spring Inn.  The performance is at 3pm, be ready in costume at 2pm so we can carpool up to the Inn.  Once we get there and the set is ready, fight call will be behind the gazebo.  After the performance we will return everyone to the school, tell your parents to be ready to pick you up around 4:30pm.

Wednesday 7/28 – Crystal Lake – The showing of As You Like It will be at 6pm, since it’s out of Poland we will be calling everyone at 4:30pm at the school (in costume!).  This will hopefully get you guys to the park in time to associate yourself with the stage.  After, we will hopefully have you back at the school for 8:30pm at the very latest.

Thursday 7/29 – Henry V at the Auburn Library. Meet at the school for 3pm in costume, this way when we get to Auburn we will still have plenty of time for a fight call.  After the performance we will be eating out, so plan accordingly with cash.  We hope to have you back at the high school for 8pm to go home.

Sunday 8/1 – For Poland Spring Campground expect a 1pm call to meet AT THE CAMP, and arrive in costume.  More details later.

You’ve worked hard this past week, and I know you’re going to do great this week.  You’re all going to be nervous and the show will feel a bit rough since you’re not used to it yet.  However, if you know your lines, you know the show and you keep your energy up then you will do wonderfully.

Do not forget the talk we had about health.  On any day that you are performing or practicing with us, you are not allowed to have coffee without having a bottle of water to go with it.  Don’t over-exert yourself, avoid stress and get lots of sleep.

Lastly, you have a cast member filling in on Tuesday – your first performance – who hasn’t gotten a chance to work with any of you.  So, Dan will be working with Tucker on the As You Like It scenes that involve Silvius at the high school Monday afternoon.  If you are interested in helping out, give Dan a call and he’ll let you know what time to show up. If your missing a costume piece, Monday would be a good time to stop by and figure that out.

I’ll be sending out an email within the next day or two with notes on what we did work on for As You Like It, please thoroughly review the entire email.  Although a note might not be directed at you, it still might effect you.

Have a good weekend guys, and we’ll see you next week.

Alexz

Tuesday – As You Like It at the Poland Spring Inn.  The performance is at 3pm, try to start arriving at 2pm to change and get ready to carpool up to the Inn at 2:30pm.  After the performance, we’ll be back at the school around 5pm to have a quick break before learning the battle at Agincourt and running Henry V.

Wednesday – As You Like It at the Ricker Library.  The performance is at 5pm, so arrive at 4pm to change and we’ll head over around 4:30pm.  After, I understand that one or two people need to go back to the AP class at the school.  Please wait until after the curtain call.  As for the rest of the cast, we’ll drive everyone back to the school for around 6:30pm where your parents will pick you up.

Thursday – As You Like It at the Auburn Library. Meet at the school for 3pm, this way we have our usual 30 minutes for a fight call and changing, and then also leave ourselves time to make it into Auburn even with traffic.  After the performance we will be eating out, so plan accordingly with cash.  We hope to have you back at the high school for 7:30pm to go home.

**Anyone who lives in Auburn can meet the cast at the library, but you must be there at 4pm completely dressed.  And you must call me BEFORE Thursday to let me know this is what you’ll do.

Sunday – 7/25 will be another performance of As You Like It at the McLaughlin Gardens at 2pm.  Specifics will go up in the next blog post at the end of the week, but plan to be ready at the school for 12:30pm.