The Second City and The Alliance Theatre will be collaborating on a show for the 2009-2010 Alliance Season – The Second City: Peach Drop, Stop and Roll. The ensemble will create original and adapted comedy sketches about Atlanta life and culture. Auditions will be held at the Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Art Center on May 6 (possibly May 7 if needed), with callbacks May 8.

Seeking adult men and woman of all ethnicities with at least one year’s training or stage experience in sketch comedy and improvisation. Acting background also recommended. This is a completely improvised audition. Please dress appropriately in comfortable improv performance type clothes (i.e. no jeans). NOTE: Anyone who auditioned last year is encouraged to audition again.

Production Information

• Production Venue: Hertz Stage
• *First Rehearsal: October 20, 2009
• Opening: November 11, 2009
• Closing: December 13, 2009 (with strong possibility of extension)

*The show will rehearse in Chicago (housing provided). Actors transfer to Atlanta on November 3rd.

Audition Information

• When: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 (and Thursday, May 7, only if needed).
  Callbacks will be Friday, May 8.
• Where: Rehearsal Hall #1, 3rd floor Woodruff Art Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, 30309
• How: Actors will be seen in groups of six, 20-minute slots. Call the Alliance Theatre audition hotline, 404-733-4622, to sign up.

Actors should bring two headshots and resumes.

If you have any specific questions, please call DayRon J. Miles at 404-733-5054.

At the 2006 TED conference, Sir Ken Robinson had some thought-provoking comments on why teaching dance in schools should be as important as literacy.

It was an exciting speech to stumble upon because Savage Tree was founded in 2004 out of the belief that every child is born creative, but that people often try to bury, forget or ignore their need to create as they get older. And we’ve always sought to encourage people to pursue that passion they’ve always wanted to explore, to offer low-cost training and opportunities to collaborate with professionals and get new work seen.

The “savage” in our name comes from the fact that the urge to create is a primal one, and just like the roots of “trees” in the neighborhoods we live in, that urge ultimately tears up any barriers set in place to stop it. That’s why you’ll see mill workers retire and fill their yards with visionary folk art or people drop out of corporate life to pursue their passion.

But, if you create something every day, whether it’s a drawing, a blog post, a photograph, a Twitter tone poem, or even a meal for people you love, you don’t have to wait until you’re so frustrated you’re about to burst. If you create something every day, you are an artist. You don’t need anyone’s permission to play.

If you don’t know where to start or what to do, think about what used to make you happy as a child? Did you love gluing macaroni on shoe boxes or making Shrinky Dinks? Wrapping sticks to make god’s eyes or drawing on popsicle sticks? Maybe you always wanted to draw comic books or write a novel. Start. Now. Tomorrow. Every day.

It’s not important how long it’s been since you’ve tried. Putting aside a few minutes every day to discover what inspires you is just as important as exercising your body physically. And the more consistently you dedicate yourself to creative pursuits, the more progress you’ll see. So be gentle, go easy on yourself. As one of my ballet teachers said, “Everyone was a beginner one Sunday.” 

For the past year, we’ve been quiet on the production front, because we needed some time to pursue film projects, which are less collaborative than the theater festivals of of our past. But Robert Sanders is planning to launch a Georgia project soon, with a bunch of roulettes inspired by this great state we live in, our history and our neighbors.

So for the next 30 days, try writing, drawing, dancing, making music or whatever makes your soul sing for a minimum of 5 minutes a day. Let me know how it feels. If you want, share your work with us. And after a month, let’s see where it takes you.

Award-winning local actress and educator Carol Mitchell-Leon passed away earlier this week after a year-long convalescence.

The Atlanta theater community, her many students, fans, family members and friends mourn the loss of such a great talent, powerful mentor and tireless arts advocate. Savage Tree was blessed to have her support, and we send her loved ones our condolences.

On Friday, 1/23/09, there will be a candlelight vigil and memorial program dedicated to the life and love of Ms. Leon. This event will be held at 5 pm and is sponsored by the Clark Atlanta University Players. All of Ms. Leon’s former students and supporters are invited to attend.

Upon arrival, CAU student, Brandon Jamal Gardner will be the contact person. If you’d like to attend, please meet at 5pm at the Mass Media Department (Mass Comm Bldg) and plan to march from there to Davage Auditorium. The memorial program will be at Davage auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The Carol Mitchell-Leon Memorial Scholarship Fund
3028 St. Andrews Court
Lake Spivey, GA 30236

Bernie “BJ” Simon, who played Mr. Kite in Savage Tree’s Sgt. Pepper’s Dailies Project film, “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite”  passed away with the old year. He had been in remission from cancer for several decades, but it came back. He was 88 years old and had been married to his wife Joyce for more than half a century when he died, surrounded by family in hospice care.

He was loved by many for his dogged persistence, his love of family and the arts, his keen business acumen, his funny poems and his joie de vivre. BJ, you had a great run. You will be missed.

If you’d like to make a donation in his name, his family recommends sending them to The Temple or the William Breman Jewish Home.

Attention aspiring musical theater professionals: This Saturday, NETworks is holding an open call for immediate and future replacements for its 2009 National Tour of Hairspray, playing the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Jan. 13-18 as part of the new Atlanta Broadway Series. The tour is currently scheduled to run through June 2009.

Auditions in Atlanta will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Theatre at 1280 Peachtree Street.  Participants should plan to bring appropriate musical theater songs or tunes from the late ’50s or early ’60s.  Pop music is preferred.  Performers are welcome to sing numbers from the show for this call, but should have another selection as well.  Performers should also be prepared in case they are asked to stay and dance.  Performers should bring a picture and resume.

Some callbacks for immediate replacements will be flown to New York.  All ensemble members must sing well enough to cover a principle role.  All roles are paid.  The call is for Non-Equity performers.

Any questions prior to the casting call should be directed to BOBCLINECAST@Gmail.com.

Performers are needed in the following roles:

• TRACY TURNBLAD Female, Caucasian, 5′3″ or shorter, to play high school age. Must be heavyset. Outgoing, unstoppable, goodhearted with a vibrant, lovable, spirited personality. Loves to dance. Becomes a teen heroine. Strong pop belt singer and great mover.
• EDNA TURNBLAD Male to play female, Caucasian, 40s – 50s. Tracy’s mother. A working class, devoted, loving housewife with dreams of her own. Sincere, not campy. Needs a funny, grand character actor with singing ability who can convincingly play a woman. Large physique. COMEDIAN.
• SEAWEED J. STUBBS Male, African-American, to play high school age. Cool, sexy, street smart, goodhearted. Son of Motormouth Maybelle who becomes Penny’s boyfriend. His dance lessons help Tracy get chosen for the local TV teen dance show. Strong, soulful tenor pop singer and great mover.
• WILBUR TURNBLAD Male, Caucasian, 40s – 50s. Tracy’s father. A working class inventor. Sweet, goofy, childlike personality. Adores his family. Needs a thin, funny character actor. Good character singer.
• LINK LARKIN Male, Caucasian, to play high school age. Handsome, sexy, clean-cut, goodhearted, down-to-earth. The heartthrob of the local TV teen dance show. Amber’s boyfriend at first, but he soon falls for Tracy. Strong pop singer and great mover.
• AMBER VON TUSSLE Female, Caucasian, to play high school age. The ice princess of the local TV teen dance show. Attractive snob. Very funny, with good physique. Strong pop belt singer and great mover.
• PENNY PINGLETON Female, Caucasian, to play high school age. Ditzy, neurotic, devoted best friend of Tracy. Very funny, with good physique. Strong pop belt singer and mover.
• CORNY COLLINS Male, Caucasian, 30s. Host of the local TV teen dance show. Handsome, charming, engaging, smooth. Strong pop singer.
• MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE Female, African-American, 40s – 50s. Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother. Queen of Baltimore Soul, a radio DJ. Powerful and inspiring, with an infectious, brassy personality. Large physique. Strong, soulful gospel/pop singer.
• VELMA VON TUSSLE Female, Caucasian, 40s – 50s. A former beauty queen, Amber’s mother, and producer of the local TV teen dance show. Upscale, attractive, prejudiced snob who always wants her daughter in the spotlight. Funny, biting, manipulative. Good character singer.
• LITTLE INEZ Female, African-American, 5′1″ or shorter. SEEKING ADULT ACTRESS TO PLAY EARLY TEENS. Spunky, tough, streetwise, outgoing, older than her years. Seaweed’s lovable little sister. Strong Broadway/pop singer and mover.
• MALE AUTHORITY FIGURE Male, Caucasian, 40s – 50s. One actor plays various zany roles including a nervous businessman; a condescending high school principal; a flamboyant fashion boutique owner; a cop; and a corrupt prison guard. (Think “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.”) Also understudies Edna Turnblad and Wilbur Turnblad. Must be a heavyset, sharp, funny, inventive character actor with good singing voice.
• FEMALE AUTHORITY FIGURE Female, Caucasian, 40s – 50s. One actress plays various zany roles including Prudy Pingleton, Penny’s uptight and small-minded mother; a sadistic high school gym teacher; a cop; and a sardonic prison matron. (Think “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.”) Also understudies Velma Von Tussle. Must be a sharp, funny, inventive character actress with strong singing voice.
• ENSEMBLE DANCERS WHO SING and SINGERS WHO DANCE Male and female dancers with strong pop singing voices and great personalities, to play high schoolers, To play various roles in the ensemble and have to sing well enough to cover principal roles.
• THE DYNAMITES–3 sexy African-American female singer/dancers inspired by the Supremes. Should have glorious pop/gospel singing voices. Should move well. They are featured in the showstopper “Welcome to the ’60s”. ENSEMBLE

The Alliance Theatre, in association with Andre Benjamin, Moxy Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and Tom Lynch Productions, is holding auditions for CLASS OF 3000 LIVE!

Based on Cartoon Network’s animated television series created by Andre Benjamin (Outkast’s Andre 3000) and Tommy Lynch, CLASS OF 3000 will come to life on the Alliance Stage as CLASS OF 3000 LIVE!

Type of Contract: TYA
Production Dates:
First Rehearsal: 2/3/09
First Preview: 3/4/09
Opening: 3/7/09
Closing: 3/29/09

Open auditions for the roles of Sunny and Lil’ D will be held on Monday, December 29. Looking for African American adult male singer/movers who are available for full-time, daytime rehearsals and performances. Character descriptions are as follows:

Sunny Bridges is the character modeled on Andre Benjamin. An international singing sensation, Sunny becomes disillusioned with the shallowness of his celebrity lifestyle and returns to his hometown of Atlanta to re-coup. Sunny is low-key and agreeable, but unwavering about what is really important in life. He sings and moves beautifully.

Lil’D – Lil’D is an Atlanta “street kid” who attends a performing arts middle school. He is totally enamored with Sunny Bridges. He is rough-edged and says whatever comes into his head. He sings and dances and has boundless energy. He is unafraid to take risks in order to “live” his dream. He is a leader.

Anyone interested in auditioning should call 404-733-4622 and leave their name and contact number. We will call you back with an audition time for the 29th. Actors will be asked to perform one upbeat contemporary song, either Pop, R&B, or Hip Hop style. A capella or cd. Please bring a picture and resume.

On Dec. 6, you’ll have two minutes to prove you’re a total freak. One that’s ready to run away with the circus, that is. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy will be holding open auditions at 11 a.m. at Discover Mills for locals with performance, acrobatic, gymnastic, musical, dance or other special skills.

The panel will see only the first 100 people in line. Bring a CD with your music and prepare something that’s 2 minutes or less (they will cut you off, so no show-boating). One lucky winner will be chosen to train either locally or at the Cirque Dreams Fort Lauderdale Dreams Studios by the Cirque Dreams design team.  Additionally, the winner will receive six complimentary tickets to the Atlanta engagement so friends and family can cheer them on in their debut performance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Dec. 30-Jan. 4.

Atlanta performers: Being without health insurance is a terrifying thing. Especially since most of you are living pretty hand to mouth as it is. As performers, your body is one of your most important tools and if you’re bankrupting it by denying yourself care when you need it, you’re only shortening the length of your career. And if you’re a very active performer, having health insurance is a godsend when you tear an ACL onstage or lose your voice.

It’s not that much money to get an individual membership to the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. And they’re offering members low-cost insurance through Kaiser Permanente. I don’t know all the details, but I thought I’d post their notice here so if you are currently uninsured, you can see what your other options may be.

Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts (ACPA) is extremely pleased to announce a new partnership with Kaiser Permanente to provide an affordable health care plan to eligible ACPA members.  Access to health insurance has long been among the top items on the memberships’ wish list for ACPA services, and modest steps toward fulfilling that wish have been taken.  Now, ACPA has been enabled to take a giant leap forward.

The Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program is uniquely designed to help those who are uninsured, income-eligible obtain health care coverage for a low monthly charge for up to 24 months. Eligible individuals pay a fraction of the premium cost and Kaiser Permanente subsidizes the rest.  Coverage includes preventive services, hospitalization, comprehensive pharmacy and more.

ACPA still has plenty of slots open for eligible ACPA members to enroll in the Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program. Enrollment is by appointment at our office in downtown, Atlanta. For questions, or to set up an appointment to enroll in the Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program, please call Jessyca Holland at 404-588-9890 or email Jessyca@atlantaperforms.com.  For information about eligibility, click here.

Eyedrum is accepting proposals for its new Arts Education Initiative until Oct. 17. Please send proposals to education@eyedrum.org

Proposals can range from lectures, seminars, workshops, or multi-week-meeting classes to be held during Jan 12- March 22nd (Session I) or April 1-May24th (Session II).   Aligned with the Eyedrum’s mission, the classroom space is designated to support alternative instruction, innovative creation and the Atlanta Arts community.   The proposals will be reviewed with this mission in mind.

Proposals should include:

1. a description of the instruction
2. desired meeting date(s)
3. preferred attendance size
4. suggested tuition/fee.
5. materials list
6. suggested age range

Priority will be given classes scheduled during regular gallery hours (see below), however the space is free for instruction for whenever is most appropriate.  Class tuition will be split 70/30 between the instructor and Eyedrum.

For more information please contact: Deisha Oliver, Eyedrum Education Coordinator, butcherthecello@gmail.com

Important Dates:

• Proposal Window    Sep 1-Oct 17, 08
• Proposal Selection Notification    Oct 30, 08
• Enrollment     Nov 23-Dec 20, 08
• 10-week Session I    Jan 12-March 22, 09
• 10-week Session II    April 1st-May24th

Gallery Hours

• Fri  3-8PM
• Sat 1-6PM
• Sun 1-6PM

Finances:  Instructor/ Eyedrum Split   70/30
Example:

• For a $100 class with 10 student that meets for 2 hours on Saturdays= $1000
• 70%= $700 to instructor
• 30%=$300 to eyedrum

The Center for Civil & Human Rights Partnership is soliciting submissions for artwork, which will be on display at Mason Murer Fine Art in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December. All two-dimensional visual arts media are being accepted: painting, drawing, watercolor, weaving, photgraphy, prints, video, film, digital animation, etc. If accepted, the artists will be shown in juried exhibition with the opportunity to have their art displayed on metro Atlanta billboards.

To enter, send a CD of images (and make sure they’re relevant to the theme!) with a resume and artist’s statement by Sept. 26, 2008, to Learn Promote Defend, Center for Civil and Human Rights, 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 110, Atlanta, Ga 30303.

For more information, visit the Center for Civil & Human Rights Partnership site or e-mail defend@cchrpartnership.org for the complete rules and guidelines.