12.14 Foundation Announces Auditions, Programs For Ambitious 2014 Summer Season
Building on the success of last year’s production of Seussical: The Musical, The 12.14 Foundation is pleased to announce auditions for its summer 2014 season of shows. The foundation is planning two shows this year: A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream and The 101 Dalmatians Musical.
Details for both shows, including audition specifics, can be found online at 1214foundation.org/summer2014.
The foundation’s first theatrical production this summer will be a world premiere adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, to be presented weekends, August 1-10. The musical will be adapted by producer/director Michael Unger and Eric Svejcar with a score by Mr Svejcar.
The show will be mostly double-cast, similar to last year’s Seussical production. There will be eight performances total, with each cast having four performances (two evening and two afternoon shows).
Rehearsals will start Monday, June 23.
The 12.14 Foundation also plans to produce and release a CD of the production with Broadway Records (Matilda, Big Fish, Live at 54 Below album series).
The same production team that presented Seussical last year will return this summer: Michael Unger will direct, Jeffrey Saver will music direct with Newtown’s own Brett Boles as his associate, and Jennifer Paulson Lee will choreograph. Van Dean is co-producer and Dr Michael Baroody, founder of the 12.14 Foundation, is the executive producer.
As was the case with Seussical, there will be approximately 20 technical apprenticeships available for those who want to work backstage. The production will also have a student/parent orchestra.
101 Dalmatians Musical
The second show will be the regional premiere of The 101 Dalmatians Musical, the famed story by Dodie Smith, with a book by B.T. McNichol and a score by Dennis DeYoung (lead singer/songwriter from the band Styx). It will be adapted specifically for Newtown.
The production will be designed by Newtown High School students, under the supervision of our professional designers.
This show, according to organizers, will most likely not be double cast. Rehearsals will start Monday, July 7.
Audition Notes
To sign up for an audition or to volunteer backstage or in the orchestra visit www.1214foundation.org/summer2014.
Children ages 5-19 may audition. Auditions for both shows will be held at Newtown High School on Saturdays and Sundays, April 26-27 and May 3-4. Callbacks will be Saturday, May 10.
Everyone will need to sing a one minute cut of a song, of their choice.
Those auditioning for A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream should bring a short (one minute) speech from any Shakespeare play, including Midsummer’s Night.
Those auditioning for Dalmatians should bring a short reading (also one minute) of their choice. Something from a book, poem, play, nursery rhyme, etc is all acceptable.
Performers will most likely be case in one of two shows. For those interested in both shows, the Shakespeare monologue will serve for both. The audition pieces do not need to be memorized, but they can be.
Anyone planning to participate in the auditions should note that a documentary company, The Documentary Group, will be videotaping the auditions as part of a documentary being made about The 12.14 Foundation. Those who are taped will need to sign release forms; parents will be asked to sign for minors. Anyone who does not want to be videotaped will have their wishes respected.
Student and adult musicians are invited to sign up through the audition notice page to participate in the orchestra. Student volunteers to help on the production crew, as well as student and adult volunteers to help backstage can also sign up through the online audition notice.
More information for all volunteer and performance opportunities is available online.
Additional Events Planned
The 12.14 Foundation also has a number of other special events planned for the community this summer.
Monday Night Movie Musicals — when a musical will be screened and attendees will be encouraged to sing along — will be offered weekly, June 30 to August 4, at 7pm.
A Dance Concert featuring dancers from local studios, choreographed by Dance Etc Director Jen Turey, will be offered Wednesday, July 30, at 7 pm.
And a talent contest for everyone in the community, Connecticut’s Got Talent! will be an all ages event produced for Wednesday, August 5, also at 7 pm.
The 12.14 Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a multi-disciplinary educational and performing arts center, based in Newtown but serving people everywhere, as a living remembrance of the events of December 14, 2012.
In addition to offering innovative exploration of the arts that encourages community, creativity and collaboration, The 12.14 Foundation is working with leaders of the Yale School of Management and other experts in the fields of leadership development, clinical psychology and executive coaching. With this unique combination of tools, the 12.14 Foundation will offer its participating children life-skills which they will take on any path they may choose in life.
For more information, visit www.1214foundation.org.