Arsenic+and+Old+Lace



Welcome!


 * We are pleased to announce "Arsenic and Old Lace" as the Fall Play 2013!!** It is a hilarious play about two elderly women and the crimes they commit... There are 14 characters who all have some very funny bits. Be prepared to laugh!

=**PERFORMANCE DATES:**=

OPEN DRESS REHEARSAL: Thursday, October 31, 7:30 p.m. SHOW: Friday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. SHOW: Saturday, November 2, 2:00 p.m. //**(with mandatory tear-down and clean up following the show from 4:30 - 9:00 p.m)**//

=**MANDATORY TECH REHEARSAL DATES:**=

Sunday, October 27: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday, October 28: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 30: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.


 * Cast party attendance is encouraged, and will be on Saturday, November 2, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, after tear-down and clean is complete)**

=**SCRIPT:**=

Click here to download your copy of the script:



=**AUDITION PROCESS:**=

The audition process begins during Orientation. There will be three Fall Play casting workshops during Orientation:

Sept 3: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept 4: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sept 5: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Students are highly encouraged to attend all three sessions, as we will be covering different material and doing different exercises and games during each one. If you are new, the orientation sessions are a good way to get to know students who have been doing theater for a while, as well as to get comfortable before auditioning for specific roles. It is also a way for the director to get to know the actors, their skill level, their specific talents or interests, and to build community. Over the course of the three Fall Play sessions, we will be doing improvisation, theater games, reading from the script, character-building exercises, and preparing for specific role auditions. If you are new and are trying out for other activities (such as Glee or Orchestra or Dance), please let Ms. Cowan know at the beginning of the session you are attending. Bear in mind that new students can only choose one activity during their first trimester at Madeira. Make every attempt to attend as much of the casting workshops as possible.

A note about casting: Students are encouraged to participate in theater at Madeira for the experience of working as a team to produce a play, rather than for starring in specific roles. Instructors work to help individual students build their skills and experience level throughout their time at Madeira, through the casting process as well as through the rehearsal process, while always keeping the overall best interest of the show in mind. All students are encouraged to try Madeira Theater at some point in their Madeira career. Casting decisions are not based on gender, age or ethnicity, but rather based on the overall suitability for the role and the ability to meet the demands of the role. Principal roles require greater leadership responsibility as well. Please feel free to email Ms. Cowan or conference with her if you have any questions about the audition process. Theater at Madeira is exciting, demanding and rewarding!

=CHARACTERS:=

= = =AUDITION EXCERPTS (OR SIDES):=
 * 1) Martha
 * 2) Abby
 * 3) Mortimer
 * 4) Elaine
 * 5) Jonathan
 * 6) Einstein
 * 7) Teddy
 * 8) O'Hara
 * 9) Klein
 * 10) Brophy
 * 11) Roony
 * 12) Reverend Harper
 * 13) Witherspoon
 * 14) Gibbs
 * 15) Mr. Spenalzo
 * 16) Mr. Hoskins


 * Reverend Harper/Abby:** pages 7 - 8
 * Martha/Abby/Mortimer**: pages 24 - 25
 * Elaine/Mortimer**: pages 27 - 28
 * Gibbs**: pages 29 - 30
 * Jonathan/Einstein**: pages 38 - 39
 * Teddy,Abby/Martha:** page 45
 * Elaine/Mortimer**: pages 55 - 56
 * Jonathan/Mortimer**: page 58 - 59
 * O'Hara/Mortimer:** page 62
 * Einstein/Jonathan/Abby/Martha**: pages 66 - 67
 * Jonathan/Einstein**: pages 72 - 73
 * Klein/Brophy/Jonathan:** page 81
 * Rooney/Klein/Brophy:** page 82
 * Witherspoon/Abby/Martha**: page 93

Notes: Please make sure you have read the entire script before Orientation. The above sides should be studied and rehearsed, but they do not need to be memorized. Some of these sides may not be used, depending on time. Have fun with them! Study the characters, their motivations, and their emotional state. Make every effort to make bold choices with each character. You will have an opportunity to indicate your interest in specific roles at the time of the audition process, although this is not a guarantee that you will be cast in this role. It is recommended that you study for all the roles. Remember to have fun!

=REHEARSALS:=

Rehearsals usually take place every day after school, except Wednesdays, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Occasionally, rehearsals may begin at 3:30 p.m. or end at 6:15 p.m., and there may be occasional special Wednesday rehearsals. A complete detailed schedule will be given out at the beginning of the Fall Play activity.

=FALL PLAY TECH:=

The tech activity begins during the first week of school. An announcement will be made at the beginning of school about a specific date and time for the initial tech activity meeting. If you have any questions, please contact the Technical Director Ms. Sasha Newman at snewman@madeira.org, or the Production Manager Ms. Elaine Randolph at erandolph@madeira.org. = = =STAGE MANAGERS:=

The Fall Play activity is in need of a stage manager, as well as one or more assistant stage managers. There will be an opportunity for someone from the casting process to take on the role of rehearsal stage manager. This person may be cast in one of the smaller roles, or may serve as assistant to the director or may understudy for one or more roles in the production. More details will be available at the beginning of the casting process. If you are interested in any stage managing opportunity, please contact the director Ms. Krista Cowan at kcowan@madeira.org.

We look forward to working with you on this hilarious production of "Arsenic and Old Lace!"

Krista Cowan Director of Theater and Film The Madeira School kcowan@madeira.org 703-556-8284 x2