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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Kent, OH – Porthouse Theatre, Kent State’s summer, outdoor theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center announces auditions for its 2010 season. The season productions include <B>The Broadway sensation, <I>The 25<SUP>th</SUP> Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee</I>, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, will run June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 at 8 pm; June 13 and 20 at 2 pm</B> and will be directed by artistic director, Terri Kent. The second production in the season of three shows is <B><I>The Foreigner</I> by Larry Shue and will run July 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 17 at 8 pm and July 4 and 11 at 2 pm </B>and will be directed by Rohn Thomas, who directed last year’s hysterical version of <I>The Odd Couple.</I> Finally, in true Porthouse Theatre fashion, the season closes
with yet another splashy, fun musical<B><I>. Bye Bye Birdie</I> will run July 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 at 8 pm and July 25, Aug. 1 and 8 at 2 pm. </B>The book is by </FONT><A title="Michael Stewart (playwright)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Stewart_(playwright)" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Michael Stewart</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>, lyrics by </FONT><A title="Lee Adams" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Adams" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Lee Adams</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>, music by </FONT><A title="Charles Strouse" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Strouse" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none;
text-underline: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Charles Strouse</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> and this production was originally produced by Edward Padula. Directed by Terri Kent.</FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Auditions will be held at Kent State University on <STRONG>Sunday, February 28 and Tuesday, March 2 from 6 pm – 10 pm</STRONG> in the Music and Speech Center at 1325 Theatre Drive in Kent, OH. Auditions will be held at The Cleveland Play House on <STRONG>Monday, March 1</STRONG> from 4 – 8 pm at 8500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><U>Equity Principal Auditions will be held in New York City on Friday, March 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the AEA Offices. Appointments are required.</U> <SPAN style="COLOR: red"><FONT color=#000000><U>Actors must sign-up at theAEA offices on the DAY of the auditions.</U> </FONT> </SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Those auditioning for <I>…Spelling Bee or Bye Bye Birdie</I> should prepare two selections of 16 bars, one ballad and one up-tempo song. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key for the accompanist provided. Those auditioning for <I>The Foreigner </I>should prepare one two-minute contemporary monologue. Anyone auditioning for all three productions should prepare two selections of 16 bars and one monologue not to exceed four minutes combined. A cappella singing will not be permitted. </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Auditions are by appointment only and can be scheduled <STRONG>after January 13, 2009 </STRONG>by calling <FONT size=6>330-672-3884</FONT> or emailing </FONT><A href="mailto:porthouse@kent.edu"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=5>porthouse@kent.edu </FONT></A><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> indicating the location (Cleveland or Kent), a first and second choice of time slot, a contact phone number and the shows for which you would like to audition (both musicals or just <I>The Foreigner</I>)<EM>.</EM> Please speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><FONT color=#111111>Call backs for <I>The Foreigner </I>will be on Mon., March 8 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. O</FONT><FONT color=#000000>n Sun. March 7 at 1 pm, there will be the dance call for Spelling Bee and Bye Bye Birdie, followed by callbacks for Spelling Bee from 2 pm - 5 pm and Bye Bye Birdie 6 pm - 10 pm. </FONT></FONT></SPAN><FONT color=#111111>C</FONT>all backs will be held at Kent State University in the Music and Speech Center<I>. </I>Actors must be able to attend call backs to be considered for a part.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>For more information visit www. porthousetheatre.com.</FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>PLEASE DO NOT SEND RESUMES AND HEADSHOTS WHEN REQUESTING AN AUDITION TIME. Headshots and resumes will be accepted at the audition. </FONT></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Porthouse Theatre was founded in 1971 and is the premier summer theater in the area. Set on the beautiful grounds of the Blossom Music Center, Porthouse offers audiences the finest in professional summer theater. The comfortable 500-seat, outdoor, covered pavilion theater is located next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cuyahoga Falls. </FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: auto 0in 12pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Porthouse Theatre is a cultural service of Kent State University. Porthouse Theatre is a member of the Akron Area Arts Alliance. Porthouse Theatre's programs and activities are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts Council.</FONT></DIV>
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