Open Auditions at Church Hill Theatre for “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”

Church Hill Theatre invites actors of all experience levels to audition for its September production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, one of the most important cultural statements of the mid-20th century. Auditions will be held at the theatre in Church Hill on Saturday, June 18th at 1 pm, Sunday, June 19th at 6:30 pm, and Wednesday, June 22nd at 6:30 pm. Actors should be prepared for cold readings from the script and to perform a surprise piece of poetry as a warm-up exercise.

Director Michael Whitehill has roles for 13 men and 4 women in this multiracial cast. Actors may range in age from 18 to 70 and both experienced and first-time performers are encouraged to read. The production will run on the Church Hill Theatre stage from September 9 – 25, 2016 with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Based on the 1962 novel by the Beat Generation writer Ken Kesey, both Dale Wasserman’s 1963 comedy/drama stage version and the 1975 film directed by Milos Forman have inspired an ongoing debate over definitions of sanity, sexuality, freedom and cultural values in modern society. Set in an insane asylum, the play matches the wits of McMurphy, a petty criminal who urges the inmates to challenge authority, and Nurse Ratched, a strict disciplinarian who humiliates her patients.

Whitehill is approaching this piece in a way destined to make his actors truly understand what Constantin Stanislavski meant by remarking, “there are no small parts, only small actors,” or the wisdom of the remarkable character actor Dabbs Greer, who said, “Every character actor, in their own little sphere, is the lead.”

For more information on auditions, performances, and membership opportunities, please contact the Church Hill Theatre office at 410-556-6003, via e-mail at [email protected], or visit the CHT Facebook page.