Auditions tend to be quite straightforward, with little
preparation required and are usually organised to fit in with the previous
show's rehearsals. Therefore they cannot always be advertised far in advance.
To be sure of getting involved, please contact
us as soon as possible if you are at all interested. The auditions
are held at our venue in Wandsworth. Occasionally, the director will hold
private auditions if the audition date is inconvenient. Rehearsals are
held twice a week - click here
for more information.
"Wit" by Margaret Edson
Auditions
We will be auditioning the show on 29 June at 6.30pm in St Anne's Hall. If you can commit to the play and like the script then please do audition – the journey is going to be an interesting and rewarding one
If in any doubt please feel free to contact Mike Ainsworth or Orna Joseph to discuss the play. They will be happy to advise you on what parts you may wish to audition for. If you're considering joining or don't know their contact details please email us on secretary@newstagers.co.uk and we'll put you in touch.
Production team
We will be performing Wit in Wimbledon Studio Theatre 22-25 October. The studio space should enable us to create the level of intimacy we need to convey the spirit of the piece.
I’m gifted with an exceptional production team with a sense of vision, which will make the show work – Orna (who will be working with me as Director), Richard and Giles (who are working on the possibility of using new sound and lighting techniques on the show).
If anyone wants to join us then please do get in touch. It would be great to get stage management sorted and I’d be very interested in anyone who has an expertise in using video cameras.
The play
The Pulitzer award winning play tells of the death of Vivian Bearing from ovarian cancer. The author based the work on her experiences working in a hospice for the terminally ill.
A really good synopsis of the play can be found here:
http://faculty.smu.edu/tmayo/witguide.htm
Whilst the play deals with its topic head on, it’s a play full of warmth and humour that despite ending with the death of the lead character is one of the most life affirming pieces of theatre I have come across.
My one plea to everyone is to get hold of a copy of the play and read it. If you love the play and can see a part just for you then audition – if you love the play and can’t see a part for you then audition (we can adapt)….if you don’t like the play (and I suspect it will only take a few pages to decide) then don’t audition. If in any doubt then please do give Orna or me a call. We’d be very happy to discuss the range of parts and our vision.
The characters
Vivian Bearing, Ph.D.,40-60,
Harvey Kelekian, M.D 40-60., doubling with Mr. Bearing, 40-60 Vivian's father
Jason Posner, M.D., 20-30,
Susie Monahan, R.N., 20-40
E.M. Ashford, scholar, 40-80
Five actors male or female “the chorus” play multiple roles: Lab technicians, Clinical Fellows, students in a literature class, the hospital resuscitation Code Team
The ages are the ages I think we could cast within
Ways of working and a note about “the chorus”
This show is going to take a lot of hard work to pull off successfully. Its dealing with a tough subject matter in a professional venue and I want a production that does justice to a fantastic piece of writing.
I will be using warm ups, improvisation and physical theatre extensively during the rehearsal period. I do not want a show that stands or falls on the performance given by the lead actress. I want to create her vision of the world with an imaginative use of the chorus. Performers in the chorus will be on stage or in the auditorium throughout the production creating Vivian’s world. So while the chorus do not have many lines they will be integral to the piece.
Similarly the other named characters each present specific challenges that I want to work on during the rehearsal period.
Although rehearsals will be challenging, they will hopefully be enjoyable with a chance for people to learn new skills, meet new people and generally work together as a team to build something amazing.
Finally we will be experimenting with technology during the production from the use of “white noise” to projecting live images to monitors in the theatre.
Thanks
Mike Ainsworth