While summer means down time for some local organizations, people at the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society have been busy milling over ideas and perusing scripts for their annual spring theatre production.
After careful consideration and a lot of preliminary work, producer Jan Richmond says the troupe will be taking audiences down the yellow brick road with their production of The Wizard of Oz.
The show will feature eight performances from Feb. 28 through March 2 and March 7-9.
This year, the members will be welcoming Nicole Weir as their new director. She'll be filling the shoes of Marie Hooper who was with the company since 2006 when they performed The Princess and the Pea.
Auditions for the The Wizard of Oz are being held on Sept. 12-13 from 6-8:30 p.m. at St. Timothy's Anglican Church. People can choose which day suits them best and arrive prepared with a monologue they are comfortable with and a piece of music they can sing. A pianist will be available for accompaniment, but must be provided with sheet music.
As an alternative, people can bring a CD and player, or sing a capella, Richmond explains.
"We'll be looking for stage presence and how comfortable you are coming into a room with strangers and showing your stuff," she says, adding many people do a piece they have performed before.
Callbacks will be held Sept. 14 for people who are being considered for a role.
It's not known how many actors from last year's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be returning, Richmond notes, but they are eager to see new faces.
"I enjoy watching new people come in. They slink in the door, unsure of themselves and then come bursting onto the stage at performance time and don't want it to stop."
Children are welcome to audition but parents must commit themselves to the play as well and remain with their child throughout each rehearsal.
"We've been impressed with parents in past productions and many of them go on to help with the production and become part of the family."
Actors must be prepared to pay a refundable $20 damage deposit for the script and a $25 production fee, which helps to cover the cost of costumes.
Richmond applauds Weir for stepping up to the plate as director and encourages others to get involved.
"Every organization needs new blood or you don't survive. We're always looking for people to join in and not just on stage. Any interest will be accommodated."
Anyone wishing more information can contact Richmond at 250-791-5477 or e-mail her at richmond@bcinternet.net.