Arts & Entertainment

The Encore Holds Open Auditions for 'The Light in the Piazza'

Auditions will be held on June 18 in Dexter.

Editor's note: This press release was submitted by the Encore Musical Theatre Company.

The  will hold open auditions for Equity and non-Equity actors for their upcoming production of Craig Lucas' and Adam Guettel's The Light in the Piazza directed by Steve DeBruyne, music directed by Brian E. Buckner and choreographed by Cara Manor.

Auditions will take place on June 18 from 6:30-9 p.m. Sign-in will begin at 6 p.m. Actors should prepare 16 bars of a classical musical theater or opera piece as well as a 1 minute monologue. Actors should also have a second 16-bar cut in case they are asked to sing again. Actors should bring sheet music in the correct key, a headshot and resume stapled together, and a list of conflicts from Aug. 2 through Sept. 25. Conflicts will be a deciding factor when casting. Callbacks will take place from 6-9 p.m. July 11.

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Rehearsals take place Tuesdays thru Fridays from 6-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m., and Sundays. Tech Saturday will take place on Aug. 27 from noon to midnight.

Performances take place Sept. 1 through Sept. 18 with a possible extension through Sept. 25. Shows will be held Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be one Thursday matinee on Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. in addition to the 7 p.m. show.

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Show Description:

The Light in the Piazza takes place in Italy in the summer of 1953. Margaret Johnson, the wife of an American businessman, is touring the Tuscan countryside with her daughter, Clara. While sightseeing, Clara, a beautiful, surprisingly childish young woman, loses her hat in a sudden gust. As if guided by an unseen hand, the hat lands at the feet of Fabrizio Naccarelli, a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara.

This brief episode, charged with coincidence and fate, sparks an immediate and intense romance between Clara and Fabrizio. Margaret, extremely protective of her daughter, attempts to keep Clara and Fabrizio apart. As The Light in the Piazza unfolds, a secret is revealed: in addition to the cultural differences between the young lovers, Clara is not quite all that she appears. Unable to suppress the truth about her daughter, Margaret is forced to reconsider not only Clara's future, but her own hopes as well.

Cast sought:

Margaret Johnson - An elegant, self-possessed, practical and attractive American woman in middle age, speaks with an upperclass Southern accent, strong actress, legit soprano.

Clara Johnson - Margaret's 26 year-old daughter, young and naïve for her age, has a very mild Southern accent, soprano.

Fabrizio Naccarelli - A 20-year-old, good-looking and charming Florentine, speaks Italian and Engish with an Italian accent, should be comfortable appearing shirtless on stage, legit tenor.

Giuseppe Naccarelli - Fabrizio's slightly older brother, speaks Italian only, his relationship with Franca is strained, baritone.

Franca Naccarelli - Guiseppe's wife, speaks Italian and English with an Italian accent, doubts Giuseppe's faithfulness, legit soprano.

Signor Naccarelli - Fabrizio's father, handsome with a slightly dominating personality, speaks Italian and English with an Italian accent, strong actor, baritone.

Signora Naccarelli - Fabrizio's mother, speaks Italian only, though she does speak directly to the audience in one scene in which she speaks perfect English, mezzo.

Roy Johnson - Margaret's husband, a successful business man who runs his family the way he runs his business, will double as a Florentine in ensemble numbers.

Priest - middle aged or older, speaks in Italian only, tudors Clara in her Catholic conversion.

Ensemble - Men and women of any age, strong singers, to play various roles including priests, tour guide, Florentines, etc.

If you are unable to attend this audition, you can e-mail a headshot and resume as well as any video/sound clips to Steve DeBruyne at steve@theencoretheatre.org or mail a headshot and resume to:

The Encore Musical Theatre Company
ATT: Steve DeBruyne
3126 Broad St.
Dexter MI, 48130


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