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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">CANTON - OH, The
Players Guild Theatre announces upcoming auditions for the Downstage production,
THE HOBBIT. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Based on the
richly-detailed fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien, THE HOBBIT tells the tale of a young
and reluctant hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who leaves his home and sets off with
a band of adventurers to slay a dragon and recover an enormous treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Along the way he encounters trolls, elves,
goblins and a host of other fantasy characters.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Told with wit and humor, THE HOBBIT is sure to please and engage
audiences.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Under the
direction of Micah Harvey, the Players Guild is seeking to cast between 6-8
actors in a technically dense production with <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>in a touching personal story of a hobbit going
against a seemingly impossible task. Given the small number of actors who will
be playing multiple roles, everyone will have a lot of stage time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">All roles are available and
non-traditional casting will be considered for all roles</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those available roles
include:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Bilbo-
Male/ Female 15+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A hobbit who is stuck
in his ways with his life. Character has a dry humor about him with a hidden
sense of courage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Thorin-
Male 19+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A dwarf who is the most
stubborn of the characters. Very blind in his vision of what he wants yet has a
hidden sensitivity. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Gandalf-
Male 40+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A wise wizard who offers
insight and is the one really keeping this journey on course. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Elrond-
Male/Female 20+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A elf-friend who must
present nobility, grace, and wisdom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Gollum-
Male/Female 20+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A character that was once
a hobbit, who has now been eaten away both mentally and physically by their
addiction to a ring of power. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Lord of
the Eagles- Male 20+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A regal strong man
who has a powerful connection with birds and winged creatures. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Beorn-
Male 20+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A shape shifter who moves
between man and bear. Character must have power and strength. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Bard-
Male 20: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A man who has seen hard times,
and is captain of the guard. Character must have a sense of ruggedness.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Master of
Esgaroth- Male 20+: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A weasel of a man
who has somehow come into power though it is not deserved. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Smaug-
Male/Female Any Age: The dragon who guards the treasure.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Auditions
will be held at the Players Guild Theatre located in the Cultural Center for
the Arts, 1001 Market Ave N., Canton, on Monday, February 15 and Tuesday,
February 16, from 6:30 – 9:00 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Interested
parties who are 15 years of age or older, should sign up for a time slot by
filling out the available online form at </span><a href="http://www.playersguildtheatre.com"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%;color:blue">www.playersguildtheatre.com</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walk-ins are permitted and will be
accommodated for the first available time slot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Since over half the cast will be playing multiple characters we ask
everyone to please prepare a 60-90 second monologue in two different styles.
The first style should be a natural speaking tone while the second should be a
character with a large personality of your choosing. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Additionally, actors are asked to bring a
current photo or headshot (and resume if available, but not required) with them
to their audition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Principal
callbacks are scheduled to be held on Thursday, February 18, beginning at 6:30
PM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The cast meet & greet and read
thru will be held on Sunday, February 21 at 7:00 PM, and rehearsals will run
Sunday - Thursday evenings from 7-10pm.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">This W.G.
Fry Theatre production is scheduled to open on Friday, April 8, 2016 and will
run through Sunday, April 24, 2016 with Friday performances at 7:00 PM and
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>In addition there is one scheduled school matinee performance on the
following date, Tuesday, April 12 at 10:00 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Please note, in order to accommodate the booked school matinee, the
production will be moved from the W.G.Fry Theater to the Mainstage Theater for
that performance only.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><br><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"># # # #<br></span></p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""></span></div>