ASF holding fall production auditions this weekend

While its fall season hasn't been announced quite yet, Alabama Shakespeare Festival is giving Montgomery both a sneak peek at two upcoming productions, and a chance to be a part of them.

Pre-registered audition appointments are being held for adults and children this weekend for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "A Christmas Carol." Act fast, because the deadline to register is end of day Thursday.

"These are two shows that are coming up in the fall that have a particular focus on opportunities for locals, especially children and youth," said ASF artistic assistant Cam Williams.

Williams said they'll have both speaking and nonspeaking roles available for youths and adults.

For William Shakespeare's magical classic "A Midsummer Night's Dream," adults are asked to have two contrasting monologues, or a monologue and a song. Children will do a selection from "Where the Wild Things Are."

For the first time in a few years, ASF will be presenting a full production of the holiday classic "A Christmas Carol."

"It's going to be all the Cratchit kids," Williams said. "We are looking for excited, energetic and talented young people in the community of the River Region who can help us fill out our youth roles on stage in this show."

Youths will audition with a monologue from "A Christmas Carol," and a short song.

"They do not have to memorize that material, but if that's something they're comfortable with that would be great," Williams said.

Lots of kids with personality and "Christmas spirit" are needed by ASF, regardless of their stage experience, Williams said. Auditions will look for joy and excitement on stage.

"Show us that they are comfortable around other people their age," Williams said. "But we do not put a focus on experience."

For children and youth auditions for either show, ages range from 6 to 17. Rising high school seniors can audition for these roles, as long as they don't turn 18 during the run of the show.

"But if you are someone who is 18 and older, you can attend the adult auditions," Williams said.

He said auditions for adults are Friday starting at 1 p.m. Children's auditions for ages 6-17 are on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. Preregistration for auditions is required by Thursday. Registration and a list of audition requirements is available at asf.net/auditions.

Headshots can be uploaded during registration, as well as any stage experience for those auditioning — if any.

"All of the stuff that they need to prepare is there," Williams said.

Callbacks will happen on Sunday.

"Any auditionee who is asked to appear for callbacks, we will reach out to them personally," Williams said. "If you do not hear from us on Sunday for a callback, it does not mean that you're not being considered for a roll on stage throughout the season."

The rest of ASF's fall productions will be announced at a later date.

"I anticipate that we will be auditioning locals again later in the season for some other things that are coming later after the season is announced," Williams said.

Keep up with current productions — the next of which is "Cabaret" from July 6-Aug. 6 — online at asf.net.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama Shakespeare Festival fall production auditions this weekend