June 23, 2017 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* *PLAYERS GUILD THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR SEASON OPENING MUSICAL, MEMPHIS.* CANTON, OH – Players Guild Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Joshua Erichsen, is pleased to announce that the Guild is making preparations to present the four-time Tony Award-winning musical MEMPHIS. Auditions for this season opening musical will be held on June 25 and 26, 2017. MEMPHIS: Winner of four Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Orchestrations. Based on actual events, MEMPHIS takes place in the underground clubs, radio stations, and recording studios of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun falls in love with rock and roll and an electrifying African American singer Felicia Farrell. MEMPHIS paints a gritty and honest picture of the racial tension and cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music that changed forever. Filled with high-octane dancing, songs that perfectly capture the era, and an absorbing and emotional tale of fame and forbidden love. MEMPHIS will be directed by Jon Tisevich, with choreography by Michael Lawrence Akers and music direction by Steve Parsons. Auditions will be held at the Players Guild Theatre, located at 1001 Market Ave., N., in the Cultural Center for the Arts, on Sunday, June 25th with available audition time slots at 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 PM, and again on Monday, June 26th at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Dance Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, June 27th and Principal Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, June 28th. Actors are asked to please prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song that best showcases their vocal ability, and bring the corresponding sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. In addition, they are asked to bring a current photo or provide a headshot/resume if available. *Diverse and non-traditional casting will be considered for all roles.* Those wishing to audition are asked to make an appointment for an audition time slot by filling out the online audition form at *www.playersguildtheatre.com/audition <http://www.playersguildtheatre.com/audition>*. MEMPHIS will be presented in the William G. Fry Theater, and is scheduled to open on Friday, August 11th and will run through September 3rd, with performances on Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 PM and Sundays @ 2:00 PM. *Character Breakdown/Roles Available**: * *Delray Jones (PAID ROLE)***: African American male, 30s-50s; Felicia’s older brother who owns the club on Beale Street where she sings; powerful, cautious, protective, and aware of the dangerous realities of the segregation that exists in Memphis and the world beyond; vocal range: baritenor with a great pop/rock/R&B voice, Bb2-Bb4. *$400 stipend for the rehearsal period and all performances (12). * *Gladys “Mama” Calhoun**: Caucasian female, 40s-60s; excellent actor with comic skills; Huey’s stern, traditional blue-collar, southern mother who has worked her entire life to be able to support herself and her son, whom she loves, but about whom she constantly worries; vocal range: strong singer with alto-belt mix, B3-A5.* *Gator**: African American male, mid 20s-40s; works as a bartender at Delray’s, hasn’t spoken since age five, when he saw his father killed; as the story progresses, he finds his voice again, must be an excellent actor and singer and move well, comic timing a plus; vocal range: great R&B; baritenor, F#3-A4.* *Bobby**: African American male, mid 20s-40s; the janitor at Mr. Simmons’s radio station, full of personality and heart, role requires an actor who must dance well, as the character has a dance break in his show-stopping number “Big Love,” comic skills a plus; vocal range: great gospel voice, G3-C5.* *Mr. Simmons**, Caucasian male, 30s-60s; the conservative owner of the radio station where Huey gets his start; a strong, southern, commanding businessman who becomes willing to take a chance on Huey when he realizes the audience Huey reaches and the money he can command; great actor who is comfortable singing.* *Supporting & Ensemble Roles (Actors will play multiple roles): * *Mr. Collins**: Caucasian Male, 30s-50s; ‘Whites Only’ Department Store owner. Strong actor. Plays multiple role.* *Gordon Grant**: Caucasian Male, 30s-50s; Record label executive. Strong actor. Plays multiple role.* *Wailin’ Joe**: African American male, 20s-40s; Wild rhythm & blues singer, sings "Scratch My Itch" and is featured in both Act One and Act Two; must also dance very well. Plays multiple role.* *Reverend Calvin Hobson**: African American Male, late 20s-40s; good natured Reverend of First Baptist Church. Strong singer and actor. Plays multiple role.* *Buck Wiley**: Caucasian Male 20s-40s; exceedingly white ‘good ole’ boy’ DJ at WHDZ. Strong comedic actor. Plays multiple role.* *Martin Holton**: Caucasian Male, 20s-40s; New York City television executive. Strong Actor. Plays multiple role.* *Perry Como:** Caucasian Male, 20s-30s; sings Summer Heart solo as ‘Perry Como’. Strong singer. Plays multiple role.* *Frank Dryer**: Caucasian Male, 20s-30s; Owner of Dryer’s Grocery Store. Strong actor. Plays multiple role.* *Back Up Singers, Saturday Night Trio, African American DJ, Beale Street Ensemble* *: African American Males & Females 16-40s; Excellent singers & dancers with great R&B/rock voices. For females, Double Dutch jump rope skills a plus. Partnering, tumbling & comic skills a plus for all. * *Caucasian DJ, Father, Mother, Teenager, Station Managers, Main Street Ensemble**: Caucasian Males & Females 16-40s; Excellent singers & dancers with great pop/rock voices. For females, Double Dutch jump rope skills a plus. Partnering, tumbling & comic skills a plus for all. * The Players Guild Theatre receives support from these generous partners: Arts In Stark, The Ohio Arts Council, The Canton Repository and 89.7 WKSU. ####