Auditions for “Hamlet Hears a Who”
COLDWATER – Tibbits Young Audiences will hold auditions August 25 and 26 for “Seusspeare: Hamlet Hears a Who,” a “Seussified” spoof of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to be presented October 14-16.
Auditions are open to any student in fourth through eighth grades. They start at 5 
pm and will be held at Fulmer’s State Farm across the street from Tibbits Opera House. Rehearsals will begin September 6 and be held 4:30 to 6 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The show will be presented October 14 and 15 at 7 pm and October 16 at 2 pm.
“Hamlet Hears a Who” by Christina Hamlett and Jamie Dare drops the Elizabethan English and the rhyming couplets and makes Shakespeare sound like Dr. Seuss wrote it. The play is a retelling of the Shakespearean classic told with rhyme and contemporary references to add to the silliness.
Hamlet still battles insanity as he seeks the truth behind his father’s untimely death, but this humorous retelling also has characters that won’t put down their cell phones. Their ringtones are personalized, so of course, Ophelia’s is a wedding processional. In answer to Hamlet’s eternal question, “To be or not — why can’t I hear it?” his father’s Starbucks-sipping ghost replies, “What you need’s a helpful Spirit!” Hilarious action and dialogue make this unique play a favorite.
Tibbits Young Audiences offers programs both for and by area youth to develop their interest in the arts. Two shows yearly, a non-musical in the fall and a musical in the spring, provide students an enjoyable introduction to the world of theatre. By “putting on a show” they learn teamwork, discipline, theatre skills, self confidence and an appreciation for the arts.
“Hamlet Hears a Who” will be directed by Jayne Lillis and the producer is Tirsha Odisher. Approximately 35 students will be cast. Those involved will learn characterization, blocking, costuming, makeup and all of the aspects of a stage production.
Students auditioning should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring a current, non-returnable photo. They will be asked to introduce themselves to the group and read parts from the script. More information and a copy of the audition excerpt is available at www.Tibbits.org under the “auditions” tab. Students need only attend one audition time. The cast will be announced the following week. For more information call Tibbits at 517.278.6029.
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