SEQUIM — Olympic Theatre Arts has set auditions for The Hobbit for today and Saturday.
The auditions will be at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. today and at 10 a.m. Saturday at the theater at 414 N. Sequim Ave., in Sequim.
Rehearsals will begin as soon as casting is complete, but will be infrequent until the play, The Book of Will, is over June 26.
Performances of The Hobbit will be Aug. 4-7 and Aug. 11-14.
The Hobbit is set within J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional universe. It follows the quest of home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins to win a share of the treasure guarded by a dragon named Smaug. Bilbo’s journey takes him from his light-hearted, rural surroundings into more sinister territory. Along the way are trolls, giant spiders, elves, and myriad adventures.
The director will be Marissa Meek.
Diverse actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, and a variety of ages are sought for this production.
The literal physical size of the performer is not a major factor in casting. The main focus is on storytelling, organizers said.
There are speaking roles as well as an ensemble that will play smaller roles and be puppeteers for large puppets.
“Reading the book is recommended.”
Parts are available for the storyteller (narrator); Bilbo Baggins; Gandalf, a wizard; Thorin Oakenshield: leader of the dwarves; Dwalin, Bombur, Balin, Fili, and Kili and additional dwarves (speaking roles, more dwarves may be present); Great Goblin: a nasty adversary; Gollum: also nasty; Elvenking (or queen): suspicious and determined; Galion,an elf in service to the Elvenking; Bard, the Archer of Laketown; Master, a politician and leader of Laketown; Cob, a giant spider (voice actor and puppeteers); Bert, William and Tom, trolls (voice actors and puppeteers); Smaug, a dragon (voice actor and puppeteers); and elf guards.
An ensemble of performers will comprise Hobbit children and parents assembled to hear the storyteller/magician/puppeteer who also play smaller roles throughout the show and operate the giant puppets (spiders, trolls, dragon, etc.)
They also will perform the shadow puppetry alongside the storyteller’s narration for other scenes and act as stage crew.
Also sought are an assistant director; stage manager (attends all rehearsals, communicates with cast and crew, will “call” the show); lighting designer/board operator; sound operator/designer; costume stylist and alterations; prop master/prop crew, set build/decoration crew; projections.
