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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><span style='mso-ignore:vglayout;position:absolute;z-index:251659264;margin-left:-117px;margin-top:90px;width:773px;height:2px'><img width=773 height=2 src="cid:image001.png@01D05CBF.5D9020E0" v:shapes="Straight_x0020_Connector_x0020_3"></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:22.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>PRESS RELEASE <img width=105 height=61 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D05CBF.5D9020E0"> <img width=94 height=84 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D05CBF.5D9020E0"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Ashtabula Arts Center<u> </u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>2928 W. 13<sup>th</sup> Street, Ashtabula, OH 44004 (440) 964- 3396<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Contact: Pamela Hammond, Marketing and Public Relations Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:phammond@ashtabulaartscenter.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>phammond@ashtabulaartscenter.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> www.ashtabulaartscenter.org<u> </u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Straw Hat Theatre Auditions March 21 & 22</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#292929'> </span><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#191919;background:white'>Auditions for the three Straw Hat Theatre productions of this summer</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> will be held Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13<sup>th</sup> Street in Ashtabula.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Actor/Singer Auditions:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> Auditions for speaking roles are by appointment only. Please call 440-964-3396 for an appointment. Appointment hours for Saturday are between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Appointments on Sunday may be made between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Please come prepared with 32 bars of music with piano accompaniment in the musical theater genre and a one-minute monologue. You will be asked to stay for dance call following the audition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Dancer/Singer Ensemble Auditions </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>are Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. & Sunday, March 22, at 4 p.m. These auditions are specifically for the actors who view themselves as a dancer first, who would like to only be considered for the ensemble in the summer productions. You will be learning two short dances in different styles and performing them in groups. You will collectively learn and perform a group song.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Auditions will be held for the following productions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#191919;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#191919;background:white'>Oklahoma!</span></i></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#191919;background:white'>Music by Richard Rodgers</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#191919;background:white'>Books and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>In western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Although love's journey is as bumpy as a horse drawn carriage ride down a country road, we have no doubt that a new life will begin in a brand-new state in this musical theatre classic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Roles available: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Five male roles; three female roles; plus ensemble, ages 14 and up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Show dates: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>June 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Kimberly Godfrey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Musical Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> Debra Fleming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Jesus Christ Superstar</span></i></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Lyrics by Tim Rice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>In this ever popular rock opera, the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth are seen through the eyes of his betrayer; Judas. A powerful tale of men and women driven to their fate by forces beyond their control, Jesus's final days are dramatized with emotional intensity and explosive theatricality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Roles available: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> Six male roles; one female role; plus ensemble, ages 14 and up<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Show dates: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>July 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Rachel Meyer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Musical Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>TBA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Oliver!</span></i></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>By Lionel Bart<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>One of the most beloved musicals ever, <i>Oliver! </i>brings to life Charles Dickens's vivid characters including the Artful Dodger, Fagin, and of course, the young orphan Oliver. Oliver's quest to find a home and family takes us on a heart-wrenching and heart-warming musical journey that features such iconic songs as "Consider Yourself," "Food, Glorious Food," "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two," and "As Long As He Needs Me." Don't miss this classic that's fun for the entire family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Roles available: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Four male roles; one female role; plus ensemble with several males and females featured, ages 4 and up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Show dates: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>July 31, August 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Brook Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>Musical Director: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>TBA</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#292929'>For more information about our summer productions or the audition process contact Kimberly Godfrey at (440) 964-3396.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The Ashtabula Arts Center is funded in part by the Ohio Arts Council.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>###<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>