The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas’ theater program is seeking performers ages 8 and older for its 2024 summer musical.
Auditions for “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” are set for Feb. 23 and Feb. 25. To help prepare performers, a free audition workshop will be held Feb. 17, according to a news release.
The events and performances are in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts and Science Center, 701 S. Main St., part of the ARTx3 Campus.
Performance dates are July 19-21 and 26-28. The production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.
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The show is directed by Bethany Gere, with musical direction by John Alec Briggs and choreography by Grace McKissic.
“Matilda is a show about a little girl who wants to change her life for the better,” Gere said. “She doesn’t let the bullies of her life define her story. This is an amazing show full of characters with big personalities. Whether you’re the mean Trunchbull, the absent parents, or the fun-loving librarian, there is something that everyone can connect with.”
Based on Dahl’s children’s novel, “Matilda,” the musical is written by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
“‘Matilda’ is the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of abusive parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly and, in turn, creates her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda also must face the cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in Crunchem Hall’s motto: ‘Bambinatum est Magitum,’ or ‘Children are Maggots.’ She finds companionship in her teacher Miss Honey who, though well-intentioned, is shy and fragile,'” according to a synopsis.
“Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson — that even though life can be hard, ‘nobody but me is gonna change my story’ so ‘sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty’,” according to the synopsis.
Auditions and the workshop are by appointment only. All roles are available for auditions, but participants must be 8 years old by the audition date to be eligible for the show. No acting experience is required to audition. Auditioners are asked to prepare one minute of a song, learn a dance from a video posted on the ARTx3 website, and read sides from the show.
Anyone ages 8 to 18 auditioning for “Matilda” is encouraged to attend the Feb. 17 workshop to practice their audition package with trained teachers. The “Matilda” creative team will not be present, and performance during the workshop does not affect casting.
Participants must be available for all performance dates, with a rehearsal commitment from April 29 to July 18.
Materials and registration for the auditions and workshops are at artx3.org/auditions. For more information, email bgere@artx3.org.
ARTx3
The ARTx3 Campus is the convergence of art, creativity, and community in Pine Bluff. The campus features three facilities: Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., The ARTSpace, 623 Main St., and ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main Street. All three facilities present programming in the visual arts, performing arts, and STEAM education through exhibitions, performances, classes and local partnerships. Gallery admission is free. Details: artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.
Bethany Gere