By Courtney Barley
The Erickson Center for the Arts (ECA) is holding open auditions for their annual summer musical on Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The auditions will be held at The Pine Performance Center. Anyone age 6 and up is encouraged to try out. Adult performers are needed. Show dates for the musical are set for July 18, 19, and 20. This year’s planned musical is “Annie” based on the 1924 comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” by Harold Gray.
JoMay Bomber will be directing the musical with the assistance of co-director Allison Watkins. Bomber, a private vocal and piano teacher, just finished directing Engadine Consolidated School’s production of “Grease: School Version”. She has performed in several musicals, including Nunsense, which was performed at The Pine Performance Center. She is the director of the Christian Fellowship Churches of Mackinac County, and a board member of the Erickson Center for the Arts.
The musical book was written by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. “Annie” won the Tony Award for Best Musical, as well as six other Tony awards. It features some iconic musical hits, such as “Tomorrow” and “Hard Knock Life”. The musical follows an orphan named Annie who lives in New York City during the 1930s. The show opens with Annie living in an orphanage run by mean-spirited Miss Hannigan. Driven to find her parents, Annie escapes from the grasp of Miss Hannigan and adventures through the Big Apple, making friends along the way.
Auditioners are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and to be ready to sing. To demonstrate vocal range, those interested in auditioning are asked to be prepared to sing a portion of a song of their choice in front of a group. Auditioners will also be asked to read lines from a script. Those who need assistance with reading their lines will be provided with help. Prior stage experience is not necessary. Those who are cast in the musical will need to commit to the rehearsal schedule and show dates. There will be a tentative rehearsal schedule provided at auditions.
Anyone interested in trying out for “Annie” can show up for the open auditions on May 13 and 14 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. For more information, contact JoMay Bomber at 906-450-4185, Allison Watkins at 906-201-1324, or the ECA office at 906-586-9974.
