PURPLE ROSE KICKS OFF 25th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

CHELSEA, Mich. — The Purple Rose Theatre Company is thrilled to kick off its 25^th Anniversary season with the world-premiere comedy, Casting Session, by theatre Founder Jeff Daniels!

Frank and Ron are two middle-aged actors who have been competing for the same roles in New York City and beyond for thirty years. Join us for this hilarious world premiere comedy that explores the lengths to which actors will go to get the part. Casting Session contains adult language.

Casting Session will enjoy a fourteen-week engagement at The Purple Rose Theatre Company from Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, December 19, 2015. Seven low-priced previews will be performed Thursday, September 17 – Thursday, September 24, with Press Opening on Friday, September 25, 2015. Regular performances for the duration of the run are Wednesdays at 3:00 PM, Thursdays & Fridays at 8:00 PM, Saturdays at 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM. 

Directed by PRTC Artistic Director, Guy Sanville, the cast includes Tom Whalen (Royal Oak, MI), David Daoust (Lansing, MI), and Erika Matchie Thiede (Chelsea, MI).

Design for this production includes set by Bartley H. Bauer, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Shelby Newport, lighting by Dana L. White, sound by Angie Kane Ferrante, and stage managed by Angie Kane Ferrante.

All performances will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

The PRTC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre operating under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association.

Tickets are now available for purchase. Ticket reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at (734) 433-7673 or online at www.purplerosetheatre.org. 

 

Center Stage Seeking Technical Crew for GYPSY

Center Stage Jackson is currently seeking technical crew, such as stage manager, lighting, sound, props, technical director, set builders, and stage hands, for the fall production of GYPSY.  GYPSY is a Main Stage musical that will be performed November 6-8 & 13-15, 2015.

If you or someone you know are interested in working backstage on this production, please contact Becky Crews at mooleeboo@gmail.com.

Speculated by many (including NY Times critic Ben Brantley) to be the greatest of all American musicals, GYPSY tells the story of the dreams and efforts of one hungry, powerhouse of a woman to get her two daughters into show business. The musical focuses on the story of Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother, Rose, and earned Rose a place in the theatrical and literary canon as the quintessential, archetypal “Stage Mother.” The musical features songs that have become standards of the musical theatre canon, including “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Rose’s Turn,” and the show-stopping, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”. GYPSY is famous for helping launch lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s career, and features a book by Arthur Laurents that is widely considered to be one of the classic examples of a traditional “book musical.” At the heart of the musical is the gregarious Rose, whose journey made critic Frank Rich call GYPSY, “Broadway’s own brassy, unlikely answer to King Lear.” 

Contact: Becky Crews at mooleeboo@gmail.com.

Purple Rose Offers Classes

Guy Sanville leads a class / Photo Credit: Sean Carter Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2015

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR PURPLE ROSE THEATRE 2015-2016 CLASSES ON SEPT. 1!

CHELSEA, Mich. – Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company is accepting actor and playwright applicants starting on September 1 for six classes during their 2015-2016, 25^th Anniversary season.

The class season starts with the Purple Rose Playwright Intensive, Sunday, October 2 – Saturday, October 10, 2015. Working with Purple Rose Artistic Director, Guy Sanville, (director of over 35 professional world premieres), PRTC Literary Manager & Resident Artist, Michelle Mountain, and PRTC Resident Artist & Playwright, Carey Crim, (Growing Pretty, Wake, Some Couples May…, Conviction), participants will learn basic principles of playwriting including dramatic elements, structure, the differences between tragedy and comedy, character development, story and plot. Each participant will write a short (10 minute) one-act play during class that will be presented and discussed at a public reading.

Actors looking for an intense training in practical acting principles can challenge themselves in the Scene Study Intensive, Meaning It: Acting at the Purple Rose. Our most selective and rigorous class includes physical training, monologue work and extensive scene study on Mondays, October 12 – December 14, 2015. Discover new approaches to scene work and character development. Class work will also include theatre exercises, readings, discussions, and coaching from the instructors: Purple Rose Artistic Director, Guy Sanville, and PRTC Resident Artists, Michelle Mountain and Rhiannon Ragland.

Also available is our Acting for the Camera Intensive on Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2015. PRTC Associate Artist & Playwright, Brian Letscher, (film work includes Kate and Leopold, Puccini For Beginners, dozens of television credits including Law & Order: CI, SVU as well as a recurring role on Scandal) will lead this Acting for the Camera Intensive. The class will cover many topics including the differences between theatre and film, between television and film, auditioning for the camera, the on-set experience, taking care of yourself – take after take, the differences between long, medium and close shots, etc. Participants must come prepared with a one-minute memorized contemporary monologue from television or film. Participants should bring a flash drive or SD card to class.

The PRTC is also bringing back Shakespeare at The Rose, a journey into the heart of Shakespeare, exploring the text and fundamental principals of acting these classic monologues and scenes, on Saturdays, February 6 – March 12, 2016. PRTC Resident Artist, Michelle Mountain, will teach the class. Next, summer 2016 will mark the return of the popular Teen Intensive, scheduled for Mondays – Thursdays, July 11 – 21. Students entering eighth – twelfth grade will experience the work of professional actors, including scene study, monologue work and acting for the camera. Instructors for the Purple Rose Teen Intensive will be PRTC Resident Artists, Michelle Mountain and Lauren Knox. Finally, the fan favorite, Actor Boot Camp, a 3-day intensive study into acting techniques used by working professionals Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17, 2016. Purple Rose Artistic Director, Guy Sanville, and PRTC Resident Artist, Michelle Mountain will teach the boot camp.

Founded in 1991 by actor and Chelsea native, Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) is the home of world-class, original American theatre. The PRTC is a professional theatre company with roots in the Midwest that takes a handcrafted, artisanal approach to producing new and classic American plays that are nothing less than one-of-a-kind experiences. The PRTC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre operating under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association.

Registration information for Purple Rose classes is available by phone at 734.433.7782 and online at http://www.purplerosetheatre.org/education/classes.

Center Stage Announces Auditions for Youth Theatre

Youth Theater Auditions for
Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye

In this witty film-noir fairytale spoof, Fairytale Land has been hit by a crime wave.  The Three Bears’ home was broken into.  The Three Little Pigs’ homes were destroyed.  Now Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother is missing.  The crimes seem unrelated, at least if you listen to those shady Grimm brothers.  But could an evil mastermind be behind them all?  Something punny is going on!  Only hard-boiled detective Rumpelstiltskin and his wise-cracking partner Ugly Duckling can solve this wacky case.  Full of hilarious roles and snappy one-liners, this private eye parody is pure gold!
 

Audition Dates: Thursday September 16 -OR- Tuesday September 21, 2015 (you need only come to one).

Audition Time: 4:30pm

Audition Location: Jackson's First Presbyterian Church
743 W. Michigan Ave.

What to Prepare: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No preparation necessary. Newbies welcome!
 

Note: Rehearsals will be weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30pm until 6:00pm at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church.

This is a Youth Theater play directed by Bob Bullock that will be performed November 20th-22nd at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church. Youth Theater is for Jackson County students that are in 3rd through 9th grade (no exceptions). To see our Frequently Asked Questions page, click here.

Contact: Youth Theater Chair Doug Meyers at drmeyers14@sbcglobal.net.

Center Stage Announces Auditions for Gypsy!

Main Stage Musical Auditions for
GYPSY

Speculated by many (including NY Times critic Ben Brantley) to be the greatest of all American musicals, GYPSY tells the story of the dreams and efforts of one hungry, powerhouse of a woman to get her two daughters into show business. The musical focuses on the story of Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother, Rose, and earned Rose a place in the theatrical and literary canon as the quintessential, archetypal “Stage Mother.” The musical features songs that have become standards of the musical theatre canon, including “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Rose’s Turn,” and the show-stopping, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”. GYPSY is famous for helping launch lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s career, and features a book by Arthur Laurents that is widely considered to be one of the classic examples of a traditional “book musical.” At the heart of the musical is the gregarious Rose, whose journey made critic Frank Rich call GYPSY, “Broadway’s own brassy, unlikely answer to King Lear.”

Auditions for Youth Ages 13 and Below:
Sunday August 30th at 2:00pm

Auditions for Young Adults & Adults Ages 14+:
Sunday August 30th at 7:00pm
or Monday August 31st at 7:00pm

Audition Location: To be announced soon.

What to Prepare: 16-20 bars of a showtune (one not from Gypsy). No monologues necessary.
This is a Main Stage Musical directed by Trinity Bird that will be performed November 6-8 & 13-15, 2015 at Jackson College's Potter Center.

Contact: Director Trinity Bird at trinitylbird@gmail.com.