SEQUIM — Olympic Theatre Arts plans auditions from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday for the community theatre’s first annual New Works Showcase.
The showcase explores resilience with six unique 10-minute plays solicited from the community. It will run just one weekend, July 16-18, and will be the first OTA performance open to the general public since the pandemic began.
The audition will be at the arts center at 414 N. Sequim Ave. in Sequim.
“This showcase is all about highlighting the written voices of our community,” OTA Executive Director Ginny Holladay said. “We are looking for cast members who will lift these words from the page, in a highly collaborative, all-original production.”
Auditioners will need to be ready to perform cold reads at the audition and come prepared to give their availability for rehearsals from June 11 to July 14. They also will need to be available for an in-person read-through set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 11.
In addition, OTA is looking for people to fill out the production team behind the scenes with costumes, sets, lights, sound or other creative endeavors.
“We’re also hoping to find a small, well-practiced jazz ensemble capable of improvisation to join in on the performance,” said Pete Griffin, marketing and image director.
“Some of these wonderful stories really have music at their core, and there are many other moments which would be just so much deeper and add so much to the spoken word of these plays if they had a subtle underscore of live music.”
These stories portray a wide array of characters, ranging in age from early 20s to mid-60s:
• “Goodbye Cruel World,” by Susan Noyes — Two women make a suicide pact, but fate intervenes. Director Kyle LeMaire is casting these parts:
— Pru (she/her), 60 or older: Best friend to Vicky. Spirited and frank but supportive. Divorced and a little bitter.
— Vicky (she/her), 60 or older: Best friend to Pru. Father just died; resentful as she was left nothing in the will.
— Chad (he/him), 25-35 years old: Broke, stressed and broken. Caring but can’t follow through on his actions.
• “Dance Your Dance,” by John Painter — A poignant comedy about five souls whose conversations in death reveal their perseverance in life. Director Christy Holy is casting these parts:
— Arthur (he/him), late 50s: Stockbroker.
— Jake (he/him), mid-30s: War veteran. Uses wheelchair, (seeking wheelchair users to fill this role).
— Ryan (he/him), mid-30s: Professional cyclist.
— Nancy (she/her), late 40s: Mother; (trigger warning: this character is depicted as a victim of domestic violence).
— Judy (she/her), mid-50s: Dancer.
• “City of Sequim: Heart of Darkness & Lavender Capital of the World,” by Gabriel Mills and Sarah Brabant — A satirical romp through the town. Director Marissa Meek is casting these parts, all of which may be cast as they/them or other:
— Chuck (he/him), 20 or older.: Local access TV lead anchor.
— Burt (he/him), any age: Local access TV co-anchor. Also a tree (not a speaking role).
— Diana (she/her), 25 or older: Assistant city planner.
— God/David/Other voices (several genders): Concerned citizen/local restaurant entrepreneur/God as a meteorologist/local astrologist/David Duchovney.
• “Joie de Vivre,” by Suzanne Bailie — A dark comedy that explores how far humans will go to keep their zest for life in a future where they can live forever. Director Christy Holy is casting these parts:
— Tracy (gender neutral) any age: Enthusiastic and persistent salesperson.
— Nova (she/her) 250 years old but plays as 30s: Kind-hearted, partner to Dean.
— Dean (he/him) 200 years old but plays as 30s: Ready for a change, partner to Nova.
• “I Dance for Purple,” by Aurora Lagattuta — A woman in isolation finds freedom and connection through imagination, music and dance. Director Ginny Holladay is casting these parts:
— Rosa (she/her), 40 or older: Older woman who loves dance and poetry.
— Bucko (he/him or she/her or they/them), 20 or older: Bartender who is less familiar with dance.
— He (he/him), 18 or older: Folds laundry and falls in love while dancing.
— She (she/her) 18 or older: Swipes on her phone and falls in love while dancing.
• “Searching for a Heart,” by Jim Guthrie — This sweet and funny tale reminds us that our best legacies will live on in the hearts of others. Director Tia Stevens is casting these parts:
— Irma (she/her), 50s or older: Deceased. Friend/foil to Lars. Talks a lot.
— Lars (he/him) 50s or older.: Deceased. Concerned about the whereabouts of his donated heart.
— Dick (he/him), any age: Old-timey detective type.
— Mrs. Puffery (she/her)/ Nurse (she/her)/ Receptionist (she/her)/Peggy (she/her), any ages: Several witty women with sharp tongues. Some are more helpful than others.
— Peggy (she/her), 30s or older: Fan of puns. Has a new heart.
Contact Olympic Theatre Arts at olympictheatrearts.org or 360-683-7326 for more information.
