From the Director's Desk:

Well we are now down to about three weeks until our performance of The Other Wise Man by M. Ryan Taylor. As always I'm getting the pre-performance jitters, but that's to be expected. "Will the audience like it?" "The composer is going to be there...will he approve of this production?" You know, the typical stuff. The last production I directed (Dido and Aeneas) was nerve-racking, but I didnt' have the stress of the composer being in the audience. Henry Purcell died a LONG time ago. M. Ryan Taylor, on the other hand, is alive and well living in American Fork, Utah and HE'S COMING BOTH NIGHTS!!!!!

But enough of my personal fears...The cast is doing well. As with any show, we've hit some bumps, but thankfully, we've come over them virtually unscathed. My stage manager is ready to kill me. (She seems to think I expect a lot from her...Well, okay, I do.)

From the Director's Desk:

As I mentioned in my last post, we've hit some bumps along the way. One of them happened about three hours before rehearsal last Thursday. We were getting ready to rehearse The Kiss by Alex Broun when I received a text from the director, Danica Yates, that Angela (one of the characters) has quit. We began a frantic search to replace her. I posted an ad on playersanonymous.org and we have received about ten interested people. We will be reading with them tonight, to see which of them, we feel, will fill the part best.

Also tonight, the cast for Dido and Aeneas will be able to rehearse with the conductor. The conductor, Sean Rogers, has come from Boise, Idaho to rehearse with them today. This will be a great treat for them. Sean is an amazing musician.

- Joey

From the Director's Desk:

Dido and Aeneas Update:

Well, we've hit a few bumps...but despite that we are still moving forward. Maybe, because I'm stubborn. Who knows. We blocked all the scenes with the witches this week and they look amazing. I hope y'all are as excited as I am to see this very unique production of Purcell's "only true" opera.

Please see the column on the right side of the screen for ticket information.

Dido and Aeneas Update

From the director's desk:

We had our first rehearsal last Tuesday. (Well, okay, we've been rehearsing music for almost two months...) What I meant was, we had our first BLOCKING rehearsal last Tuesday. I thought it went well. For most of the cast, this was the first time that they had seen each other. Perhaps new friendships were made? I don't know. I was too busy working on staging the suicide to notice. Yes. Yes, Dido will kill herself at the end. She's not just going to die of a broken heart. That's lame. We have a sword that she will stab herself with. (Well, hopefully not really, it'll just be pretend. I hope.)

Dance Auditions

We are currently preparing to hold auditions for the dance numbers in Dido and Aeneas. Needed are one (1) male and one (1) female. There are five (5) dance movements.

Auditions will be held during rehearsal on July 7th at the LDS Church (LDS dress standards must be observed) located at 87 E 7100 S in Midvale (go here for directions) between 7 pm and 8 pm. (Other times may be available, please contact Joey by phone, 801.566.3426 or email, unipac150@gmail.com to check on other times.)

Tickets for August Production

Tickets for our upcoming production of Dido and Aeneas (August 14th and 15th at the Midvale Performing Arts Building) will be on sale soon.

In the mean time, you may reserve your tickets by phone - 801.566.3426 or email - unipac150@gmail.com. Simply leave your name, phone number, the quantity of tickets and whether those tickets are General Admission, Student, Senior or Military.

Or send a check for the correct amount (also indicating the quantity of tickets and the type of tickets) with a self-address, stamped envelope. We will than mail your tickets to you. Otherwise, they will be in will-call the night of the performance.

The address is:

611 W Heather St #5 - Midvale, Utah 84047

Ticket prices are $10 for General admission and $8 for Student, Senior, and Military. Children 5 and under are FREE.

UNIPAC will be donating 20% of all ticket sales to Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit organization that builds homes for severly wounded soliders. Visit their website here.

Auditions

We are pleased to announce auditions for our 2009/2010 season. Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 18th at the Piano Gallery (650 S. State Street) in Orem, Utah from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Auditions will also be held on Wednesday, April 22nd in Midvale BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Auditions for:

Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell

The Kiss by Alex Broun

and

His Return by Percival Wilde

~*~*~

His Return

(1m/3w)

His Return is a one-act play about John and Helen Hartley. John is wounded during World War I and is sent home. His wife has a surprise for him.

The Kiss

(2m/2w)

A Ten-Minute play. Kent becomes annoyed by Roland's and Angela's public display of affection.

Dido and Aeneas

Leads: Dido (soprano or Mezzo soprano), Anna (soprano), Beldame (Mezzo soprano), Aeneas (tenor)

Principles: Sophia (soprano or mezzo soprano), Syntyche (soprano), Thais, (soprano or mezzo soprano), Spirit (counter-tenor), Secundis (tenor or baritone)

Chorus of SATB singers, principle dancers, and children.

Music Director: Raveny Richens.

Conductor: Sean Rogers

All productions will be directed by Joey Calkins.

NOTES:

You may audition for all three productions.

Plays:Those auditioning for the plays, please have a short monologue prepared.

Opera:Those auditioning for the opera, please prepare an appropriate song selection. (An appropriate selection would be an aria, art song, music theatre piece, etc.) PROVIDE YOUR OWN ACCOMPANIST.

Regretably, we do not have the budget to pay performers. All positions are volunteer.

Performances will be held August 14-15 at the Midvale Performing Arts Building in Midvale, Utah.

If available, please bring your resume and a headshot.

Dance auditions will not be held at this time.

Questions? Call Joey at 208.880.9515 or 801.566.3426 or email at unipac150@gmail.com