Church Hill Theatre has announced audition dates for its upcoming production of Equus, a play in 35 scenes of continuous action presented in two acts. Written by Peter Shaffer, Equus chronicles the story of psychiatrist, Martin Dysart, who is attemptimg to treat Alan Strang. Alan is a young man with a pathological, religious fascination with horses. Shelagh Grasso brings her extensive theatrical expertise to CHT to direct this production. The play’s long-term international success reached new acclaim in London and on Broadway when it was revived in 2008 starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths.
Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 21st and Sunday, January 22nd from 2 to 5 pm and Monday, January 23rd from 6 to 8. The production will open the CHT season and run from Friday, April 13th until Sunday, April 29th. Grasso will be casting 15 parts altogether.
Four male, 4 female, and 1 gender-neutral character will comprise the main roles as follows: Martin Dysart (psychiatrist); Alan Strang (17-year-old boy); Frank Strang (Alan’s father who is in his 40s and is an extremely narrow-minded atheist); Dora Strang (the boys mother who is also in her 40s and is a highly religious, doting mother); Hesther Salomon (a magistrate in her 40s who is smart, acute, and friends with Dysart); Jill Mason (a young girl who works at stables and is involved with Alan); and Harry Dalton (the stable owner who is an older man). The parts of Alan and Jill must be performed by actors 18 years or older due to the nature of the parts and the possible stipulation to perform a nude scene.
Six additional actors will also be cast in order to construct the chorus and portray the horses. These characters may be male or female. This chorus includes the Young Horseman, who also plays Nugget. The Young Horseman can be played by either male or female and is not only Alan’s favorite horse but also a central character in the play. This part has no lines, is somewhat of a dance/movement role, and must be played by someone strong enough for Alan to “ride”. All actors portraying horses must display an ability to move well.
Shaffer was inspired to write the play when he heard of a crime involving a 17 year-old boy who had blinded six horses in a small town near London, England. He set out to construct a fictional account of what might have caused the incident, without knowing any of the details of the crime. The play’s action unfolds as a detective story as the psychiatrist attempts to understand the cause of the boys’ actions, while also wrestling with his own sense of purpose in life.
However, numerous other issues inform the narrative; most importantly the religious and ritual sacrifice themes, and the manner in which the boy, Alan, constructs a personal theology involving horses and the supreme godhead “Equus”. Also important is Shaffer’s examination of the conflict between personal values and satisfaction and societal mores, expectations and institutions
Anyone interested in technical work is also encouraged to come to auditions. CHT encourages anyone who is interested, regardless of experience, race, gender, or personal beliefs, to audition. The theatre endeavors, whenever possible, to cast new faces and fresh talent through standard and/or non-traditional means to promote involvement. All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open to anyone auditioning without pre-casting or exclusion. Church Hill Theatre is fully committed to continuing the growth of its talent and volunteer pools and always endeavors to involve more of community involvement in all aspects of live, community theatre.
Please come prepared with a 2 to 3 minute monologue and also be ready to do cold readings from the script. The director asks that auditioners please bring all rehearsal conflicts covering mid-February until the end of April. For any further information, contact the CHT business office at 410-758-1331 or Shelagh Grasso at 410-778-4711 or 410-708-2251 or via email at [email protected].
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