Experience UGA is a high-energy comedic and musical performance for Athens Clarke County third graders who visit the Fine Arts Theatre on October 15th and 16th. Experience UGA is an internationally recognized program that inspires the children of our community to aspire to a college education through field trips each year to UGA to explore different areas of study from pre-K to high school. Our department hosts approximately 1,000 third graders who come to learn about film and theatre. In addition to more informative segments, there will be two distinct performances. Play About Plays: Play About Plays teaches the audience about the different jobs in theatre, with characters including The Director, The Stage Manager, designers, and a pathologically enthusiastic Stagehand who tries too hard to do all the jobs while displaying boundless energy to dance and run around the theatre. This year Play About Plays will be directed by undergraduate theatre major Dottie McDaniel. The Commedia Puss in Boots! This hilarious fairytale twist introduces us to a band of down-on-their-luck Commedia players who have travelled all the way from Tuscany to share their love of storytelling. The troupe (Columbine, Arlequin, Punchin, Scaramouch, Rosetta, and Pantalone) embellish the classic Puss in Boots story with their own form of magic, creating a thrilling adventure with a laundry list of laughs. This piece will be directed by undergraduate theatre major Abbey D’Aguillo. Please note that this play contains stage combat and highly stylized movement. Actors with tumbling skills or movement training are encouraged to share their talents in auditions. AUDITIONING Auditions will be held alongside UGA Theatre’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical on August 18 and 19. All requirements will be the same. Visit the Evil Dead: The Musical audition page to sign up for a time slot and fill out your audition form. Callbacks will be on Monday, August 25th, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. The cast list will be posted later in the week of August 25th. Performance Dates & Rehearsals Performances: A community performance is currently being scheduled for October 11th. More details will be shared closer to the beginning of rehearsals. Performances will be on October 15 and 16 in the Fine Arts Theatre from 9:45 to 11:15 am. Tech & Final Dress Rehearsal will be held on October 14th. The final dress rehearsal will be an invited dress. More details about that will be shared with the cast at the first rehearsal. Rehearsals: Rehearsals will begin on September 2 with a read through. Rehearsals will be from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. There will be a few Thursday and/or Sunday rehearsals scheduled as we move closer to opening. ROLES Auditioning actors will be cast in multiple roles across both Play About Plays and The Commedia Puss in Boots! There will also be a quartet that sings an opening number, as well as a closing number involving the whole cast. Play About Plays: 5-8 actors. 2 Soprano, 2 Tenor. The Director Also serves as "Emcee 1"; Potential quartet member The Stage Manager Also serves as "Emcee 2"; Potential quartet member The Stagehand Not in the quartet but sings lead in closing number. Problem child of the group—struggles with following instructions but has a great attitude The Costume Designer Edna from The Incredibles. Potentially playing all designers; Potential quartet member The Scenic Designer Wants to make noise and build things! The Lighting Designer Doesn't like being forgotten. Actor 1 Potential quartet member Actor 2 Potential quartet member The Commedia Puss in Boots All roles are open to everyone, regardless of gender. "Columbine" A common girl, but very clever and good at dance and tumbling; the troupe leader "Arlequin" Mischief-maker; clever, athletic and funny "Punchin" Bombastic and proud, with a big nose "Scaramouch" Braggart and a coward “Rosetta” Fancies herself a lady, but is also 30 funny and a good dancer “Pantalone” Once a rich merchant, now a stingy 61-year-old man; uses a cane
