Footlights at the Falls Community Theater
Dancing at Lughnasa
February 4 and 5, 3:30-5:30 PM, Callbacks February 7, 6-8 PM
Arms Library in Shelburne Falls
Footlights at the Falls Community Theater is happy to announce auditions for Dancing at Lughnasa, by dramatist Brian Friel, for an April 2023 production in Shelburne Falls.
Dancing at Lughnasa, set in the north of Ireland in August 1936 in the fictional town of Ballybeg, is a memory play told from the point of view of the adult Michael Evans, the narrator. Michael recounts the late summer days in his aunts’ cottage, when he was seven years old, and when love and happiness briefly seems possible for the five Mundy sisters (Maggie, Chris, Agnes, Rose, and Kate) and their frail elder brother, Jack, who has returned from a life as a missionary in Africa. However, as the summer ends, and Lughnasa arrives, the sadness and economic privations under which the family will suffer are made known.
Roles open for 5 women and 2 men. Experienced and new actors are welcome. Auditions will be at the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on both Saturday, Feb. 4, and Sunday, Feb. 5. (Alternate date in case of bad weather will be 6 to 8 pm on Monday, Feb. 6). Callbacks, if necessary, will happen on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 pm.
Auditioners are encouraged to arrive as close to the start time as possible and stay for as long as possible. Auditions will include dancing as a group. The dance steps will be taught at the auditions. Please don’t let that scare you away! These are very basic steps and are easy to learn.
Auditioners will be asked to read several roles/scenes with other actors. Audition monologues of 3 minutes or less are also welcome but not required. Accents are not required.
Performances will be April 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29 in Shelburne Falls. Rehearsals begin in early February. Please bring a list of all time conflicts you may have during the rehearsal period. All auditioners must be 17 or older.
If you can’t make these dates and want to audition separately, please contact director Jean Koester at jeanjkemail@gmail.com or producer Jackie Walsh at shelburnejackieb@gmail.com
“Grants from local Massachusetts Cultural Council towns are helping fund the show.”