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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Near West Theatre announces
<b>AUDITIONS</b> for</span><span style="font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Berlin Sans FB Demi",sans-serif;color:#E0AB00;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:65.0pt;font-family:Algerian;color:red;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">CHESS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Summer Teen & Young Adult Cast
<span style="color:black">(Ages 16</span>-25<span style="color:black">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">May 6, 7 & 8, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:3.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:black;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:#7030A0;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:#00B0F0;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Come
<b><u>one</u></b> of these evenings. Plan to stay for the entire time specified. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">See list of roles below!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><span style="font-size:22.0pt">Chess</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:22.0pt;color:#00B0F0"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#ED7D31">July 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28; August 1, 2, 3, 4, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F4E79">Rehearsals begin</span></b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F4E79"> Sunday, May 27, 2018</span><span style="color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#1305CB">AUDITION SITE:
</span><span style="color:#1305CB"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:#1305CB">Near West Theatre<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:#1305CB">(6702 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">If you are unable to audition on the dates listed above, or you have questions,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">call our office at 216-961-9750, Mon.-Fri. 11am-4pm</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">or EMAIL
</span><a href="mailto:info@nearwesttheatre.org"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;color:#1305CB">info@nearwesttheatre.org</span></a><span style="font-size:18.0pt;color:#7030A0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt">ABOUT THE AUDITION:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#AC007F"><br>
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This is a group audition in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. No experience or preparation required. Dress for movement. Please plan to stay for the entire time specified, and arrive 15 minutes before audition time to
register. Anyone arriving after the starting time will not audition that day.<b><br>
</b></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">At Near West Theatre we encourage everyone to audition.
<u>People of all experience levels, races, ethnicities, neighborhoods, sizes, gender identities and backgrounds are needed.</u> We use theater to build community and relationships. We’re a great place to express yourself and make friends.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Come try us! Bring a friend!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt">ABOUT THE SHOW</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:black;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:3.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Book",sans-serif;color:black;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Secrets, lies, collusion and betrayal? Love, courage and loyalty? Checkmate! In this highly acclaimed rock musical, the ancient and distinguished
game of chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries and super-power political intrigue as two great chess masters—American and Russian—meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship at the height of the Cold War. From Bangkok to Budapest the players,
lovers, politicians, CIA and KGB make their moves to the pulse of this soaring and monumental score, a collaboration between legendary rock band ABBA and Tony Award-winning lyricist Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Joseph) featuring international hits
"One Night in Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Directed by</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"> Kelcie Dugger.
<b>Choreographed by</b> Josh Landis. <b>Musically Directed by</b> Scott Pyle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:4.0pt;text-align:center">
<b><span style="mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Music by </span></b><span style="mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson<b>. Lyrics by
</b>Tim Rice<b>. Based on an idea by </b>Tim Rice<b>. Book by </b>Richard Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:4.0pt;text-align:center">
<b><span style="mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:20.0pt">CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Freddie Trumper (“The American”) - Rock tenor (to C).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">The American chess champion, a cross between Bobby Fisher and John McEnroe. Arrogant and temperamental, but a genius; his chess playing is revolutionary. He is dangerously obsessed
with his art.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Anatoly Sergievsky (“The Russian”) - Baritone (to G sharp).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">The Russian chess champion. Unexpectedly charming. He doesn't seem a romantic hero at first, but becomes one through his personality. An intelligent, feeling, passionate man.
Falls in love with Florence, but is married to Svetlana. Must decide two things: 1) Is his duty to his country, or to himself? 2) What does he love more: the game, or the women in his life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Florence Vassy- strong belt voice (to E).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Hungarian-born. She is clever, theatrical, touching, vivacious, volatile. Frederick's chess second. She’s worked very hard to become the cosmopolitan woman she is today, and sometimes
she tries a little too hard. Falls in love with Anatoly. Starts by focusing on the game (and Freddie), ends focusing on her heart (and Anatoly).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Alexander Molokov - Bass (down to F sharp).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Anatoly’s second—and a KGB agent. Not above manipulating others to further his political aims. Intellectually formidable and fiercely patriotic. Must use Russian accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Svetlana Sergievsky
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Anatoly's wife. Domestic, wholesome, homey, but still effortlessly elegant. Loves her husband, but knows that she’ll never be able to combat his flaws and obsessions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Walter de Courcey- Bass-Baritone (down to G sharp).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">A media personality. Seemingly respectable, substantial, trustworthy—but secretly a manipulative CIA agent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">The Arbiter- rock high baritone (up to A).
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">International businessman. Smooth, but with a quick temper, he’s the chess tournament’s referee.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Lenoid Vigand- Tenor.
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Anatoly’s Russian opponent in Act Two, a “machine” of a chess player.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Ensemble<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-contextual-alternates:yes">Requires a large chorus of very strong singers, actors and/or dancers<span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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