The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance Directed by Craig Joseph Joshua Erichesen, Producing Artistic Director Production Stage Manager: Breanna Morton *SYNOPSIS: **The Elephant Man *is based on the real life of John Merrick, a 19th century British man who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit, before being found abandoned and helpless. When a renowned doctor takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by Merrick's brilliant intelligence and unshakeable faith - despite his deformities. Merrick slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane gentleman desperate to be recognized as a man like any other. But is being accepted into society possible - or even desirable? A poetic, luminous, and moving theatrical meditation on what it means to be truly, fully human - and how quickly and easily we devolve into something more grotesque. *WHERE: *Players Guild Theatre - Kent State University at Stark Fine Arts Building (6000 Frank Ave NW, Canton, OH 44720) Floor One *PERFORMANCE DATES: *January 27 - February 12 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2) *AUDITIONS: *Initial auditions will be held on Monday, November 7th from 6-10 PM. To sign up for a slot, go to www.playersguildtheatre.com/audition. If you cannot make this time, contact director Craig Joseph at craigjose@gmail.com. Please prepare one dramatic monologue of 2-3 minutes OR come a bit early and look at sides from the script. Please bring a headshot and resume if you have them. These will become property of the Players Guild and will not be returned. Callbacks will be on Tuesday, November 8th from 7-10. *WHO I'M CASTING: *I'll be casting 6-8 actors (all paid), and everyone should expect to double except for the actors playing Frederick Treves and John Merrick. I'll also say that - while the gender identities of the *characters* can't change - I'm excited to consider *actors *of all races and all gender identities for all roles. *REHEARSALS: *Subject to change based on who I cast, but these will ideally begin the week of November 28 and will occur 1-2 times a week through December (excluding the week between Christmas and New Years) - and then continue 5 nights a week, beginning on January 3rd. Obviously, not everyone will be called every night until we get closer to opening. *QUESTIONS: *Contact Craig at craigjose@gmail.com. *For parking, please park in the student lot 107 on the back side of the Fine Arts Building on Kent State University at Stark’s Campus. You can enter the door straight ahead that has the PGT logo on it. Once inside, go up the stairs directly to the right of this door and they will lead you directly to the theatre entrance on floor one! -- Breanna Morton Production Stage Manager Players Guild Theatre 6000 Frank Ave NW North Canton, OH 44720 -- Breanna Morton Production Stage Manager Players Guild Theatre 6000 Frank Ave NW North Canton, OH 44720