FALL 2019 SHOWS
STC is presenting two shows this fall – one at the Ames City Auditorium and one at our Black Box Theater. There will be a single audition for both fall shows on August 26 and 27 at STC’s Black Box Theater: 615 S. Dayton Ave., suite 133 in Ames.
(Any necessary callbacks will be held on August 28.)
THE ADVENTURES OF RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI : Nov. 1-10 at Ames City Auditorium
Adapted by Tim Kelly from Rudyard Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Just So Stories:
From the world that brought us The Jungle Book, this play features colorful characters and rich storytelling. The wily mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi spends most of his days investigating the jungle with his friends. But now a British family in old India is in jeopardy from marauding cobras in league with Shere Khan, the arrogant tiger. Can Rikki-Tikki-Tavi save them? Come find out on this magical, movement-filled adventure.
Directed by Olivia Griffith.
- Rehearsals: 4:30-6:15 Mon/Wed and 10:30-12:30 Sat. (Beginning Sep. 4. No rehearsal Labor Day Weekend.)
You can find the preliminary rehearsal schedule for this show here: Rikki Preliminary Rehearsal Schedule - Approximately 26 roles available for ages 9-18
- 6-8 crew members needed (ages 12-18)
NUMBER THE STARS : Nov. 15-24 at STC’s Black Box Theater
Adapted by Douglas Larche from the book by Lois Lowry:
During the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, the Nazis closed down Jewish-owned businesses and began to round up the Jews for relocation to concentration camps for the final solution. Danish freedom fighters of all ages risked everything in daring, hurried attempts to rescue the entire Jewish population. In this story, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger, the loss of loved ones and their own fears as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape across the ocean to Sweden and safety.
Directed by Brittny Rebhuhn.
- Rehearsals 4:00-6:00 Tue/Thu and 9:00-10:30 Sat.(Beginning Sep. 14)
You can find the preliminary rehearsal schedule for this show here: NTS Preliminary Rehearsal Schedule - Approx. 14 roles available for ages 9-18
- 3 crew members needed (ages 12-18)
AUDITION GUIDELINES
- Auditions for both shows will be held August 26 and 27 from 4:00-7:00 pm. You only need to attend one audition date.
- You must be 9 -18 years old to audition for a role.
- The auditioning panel will be casting both shows from a single audition. You may indicate on your audition form whether you would like to be considered for only one show or both. However, no actors will be cast in more than one show.
- Please keep Wednesday, August 28 from 4:00-7:00 pm open in case you are asked to attend callbacks.
- Follow this link to sign up for a 45-minute audition time: FALL 2019 AUDITIONS
- Interested in being on the crew? Please stop by anytime during auditions to fill out a crew application.
Participation fees for the 2019-2020 season are: $145–cast members and $45–crew members
Partial scholarships are available.
Here at Story Theater Company, we are proud to offer professional instruction. Our participation fee ensures that we are able to continue offering such performance opportunities to the youth of our community. The fee also includes two tickets, a t-shirt, the cast party, show poster, and a DVD of the performance (when allowed by our performance license).
Questions? Contact manager@storytheatercompany.org
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
- Bring a photo to attach to your audition application.
- You must arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time to complete an audition form. Late arrivals will be moved to another audition time.
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that will allow you to move well.
- You will audition with a small group. You will be at your audition for 45 minutes.
- Individual instructions for each show are below. You may prepare to audition for one show or both shows.
The Adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Please familiarize yourself with this piece from the script. Memorization is encouraged but not required. You will be taught a short movement sequence to go with it at the audition.
Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky.
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper,
But the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk,
The Law runneth forward and back,
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf,
And the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
You may also choose to perform the monologue below. (This one must be memorized if you choose to perform it). We encourage you to use strong storytelling voices and choices, and big physicality.
O, Best Beloved, I offer my blessings. For I am the holy man Puran Bhagat. I walk from one end of the jungle to the other, year in and year out, under the warming sun of Mother India. There is not a creature I do not know or who does not know me. Ah, the stories I could tell. Wondrous stories. The rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. The good and the vile. The creatures that live on the earth and the birds that fly in the skies above. Such wondrous, magical, delightful stories–(Sadly.) But, alas, my begging bowl is empty. See for yourself. Is it not sad? Not even the holy man Puran Bhagat, peace be upon him, can tell a good story when he is hungry. Perhaps you could spare me a morsel of something?
The Adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi will feature lots of fun sound and movement in its final form, so we also ask that you come prepared to sing “Happy Birthday” and demonstrate any accents you feel comfortable using.
Skill in these tasks is not a prerequisite to being cast, so please do not stress about them. The Adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is NOT a musical.
Role Descriptions
Puran Bhagat, a storyteller
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a curious and energetic mongoose
Darzee, bird friend of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Ikki, porcupine friend of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Monkey Potentate, ridiculous leader of the monkeys
English Husband, a proper gentleman
English Wife, a timid citizen
Daughter, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’s friend
Nag, a vicious cobra
Nagaina, his wife
Queen Cobra, clever and evil
Shere Khan, an arrogant tiger
Billy Gumption, a soldier
Mongoose Hunter, after Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Monkeys, Wolves, Camp Animals, Elephant’s Child, Kolokolo Bird, Crocodile, assorted Jungle Citizens
Number the Stars
Please memorize at least one of the following pieces. We recommend being confident in two out of the three, so we can see some range in your ability (however, this is a recommendation, not a requirement). You do not need to memorize all three.
If multiple characters are listed, you will be playing both characters (as different characters).
MONOLOGUE 1
If anyone should come, even soldiers, you two will be sisters. You two will sleep together in your bed and you may giggle and talk and tell secrets to each other. You are together so much, it will be easy for you to pretend that you are sisters. Go now and get into your nightgowns. It will be a long night. Don’t be frightened. Once I had three daughters. Tonight, I am proud to have three daughters again.
MONOLOGUE 2
I miss you, Lise. I miss your stories. I miss your hands. The pillowcases are so pretty. Just like you. You did everything so well. I’m sorry you never got to wear your wedding dress. It’s still here.
OPTION 3 (dialogue)
ELLEN: Why do you keep following us both home from school, Samuel? Your creaky old bicycle gives me the creeps!
ANNEMARIE (pretending to be Samuel): I’m not following you both, Ellen.
ELLEN: Yes you are! Every day.
ANNEMARIE: Not both, Ellen. Only you.
ELLEN: Yuck!
Role Descriptions
Annemarie Johansen, a middle-school-age girl
Ellen Rosen, a middle-school-age girl
Kirstie Johansen, younger sister of Annemarie
Mrs. Inge Johansen, mother of Annemarie and Kirstie
Mrs. Sophy Rosen, mother of Ellen
Papa Johansen, father of Annemarie and Kirstie
Peter Neilsen, a young member of the Resistance
Uncle Henrik Knudsen, uncle of Annemarie and Kirstie
Samuel Hirsch, schoolmate of Ellen and Annemarie
Mrs. Hirsch, mother of Samuel
Mr. Rosen, father of Ellen
The Giraffe, a German soldier
Danish Jews escaping to Sweden
German soldiers and officers