Davidson Community Players will conduct open auditions Sunday and Monday (Oct. 3-4) for roles in its December production of “A Christmas Story.” Also ahead: Davidson Community Players’ people and plays are up for honors at the Metrolina Theater Awards Sunday, Oct. 3, in Charlotte, and later this month, Davidson Community Player’s Connie Co. youth theater group is offering free performances of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

‘CHRISTMAS STORY’ AUDITIONS

Davidson Community Players announces open auditions for its December 2010 stage adaptation of the classic movie “A Christmas Story.” The production will be directed by Greta Zandstra and will run from December 2-19, 2010 at the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson.

Auditions for adult actors and actresses as well as youth actors and actresses ages 8-15 will be held on Sunday, October 3 and Monday, October 4 at Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theatre at 307 Armour St. Audition times will be 1-3 p.m. on Sunday and 7-9 p.m. on Monday and will consist of cold readings from the script.

Auditionees should plan to arrive by 2 p.m. on Sunday, and 8 p.m. on Monday, and need only attend one session. Bring a resume or list of theatre experience, a recent picture and a list of conflicts for October through December.

Callbacks for “A Christmas Story” will be Tuesday, Oct. 5, by invitation only.

Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Many of the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including Scut Farkas, Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and the infamous leg lamp. This smart adaptation of the 1983 film is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial.

The following roles are available:

RALPHIE — boy aged between 8-15
RANDY — boy aged between 8-12
FLICK — boy aged between 8-15
SCHWARTZ — boy aged between 8-15
SCUT — boy aged between 8-15

ESTHER JANE — girl aged between 8-15
HELEN — girl aged between 8-15

MOTHER — adult woman
MISS SHIELDS — adult woman

RALPH — adult man
THE OLD MAN — adult man
ENSEMBLE MAN (for numerous roles) — adult man

For additional information regarding auditions, please contact Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, Artistic Director at 704 892-7953 or email melissa@davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

THEATER AWARDS SUNDAY

Productions and actors from Davidson Community Players are up for several north regional awards at the 7th Annual Metrolina Theatre Awards ceremony, this Sunday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th St., Charlotte.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event, general admission. To purchase online, go to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte website. Or call The Children’s Theatre box office: 704–973-2800. A special pre-awards party with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar is scheduled at the Levine Museum of the New South.

The annual event will celebrating excellence in theatre for the 2009-2010 season. Nominees in the Regional-North division included these from Davidson Community Players: for outstanding production, “Noises Off”; for outstanding lead actor/male – Matt Merrell, as Gerry Lejeune in “Noises Off,” and Timothy Thomas as Flick in “Violet”; outstanding female lead – Cassandra Wood (Violet), in “Violet” and Jill Bloede (Dotty Otley) in “Noises Off.”

Also, supporting actor/male – Jonathan Ray (Lloyd Dallas), and Kevin Roberge (Frederick Fellowes), both in “Noises Off”; Julie Strassel (Belinda Blair) in “Noises Off”; outstanding cameo roles- Larry Ligo (Selsdon Mowbray) in “Noises Off,” Kevin Roberge (Virgil) in “Violet” and Patrick Ratchford (Preacher) in “Violet.” The ensemble of “Noises Off” also has been nominated for an exemplary performance award for outstanding timing and ensemble acting.

James Yost was nominated for the regional award for best director for “Noises Off,” while Anna Sartin is up for the outstanding set design award for the same play. Ms. Sartin also is up for “Outstanding technical effect for the revolving set in “Noises Off.” Lisa Altieri is nominated in the category of properties design for two plays “Noises Off” and “Violet.” For outstanding musical directing or conducting, John Smith was nominated for “Violet.”

For more about the event, including a full list of nominees, visit http://metrolinatheatre.org/

SHAKESPEARE FOR YOUTH

Davidson Community Player’s Connie Company is offering free performances of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of its continued effort to create great theatre opportunities in the Lake Norman region. Developed out of an intensive youth Shakespeare workshop under the direction of Wrenn Goodrum, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” centers on the adventures of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors and the fairies who manipulated them all.

The performances will explore the language and world of Shakespeare in a modern-day version of his hilarious comedy using music, song, dance and multi-media, and is perfect for ages 10 and up.

Performances will be held at the Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour Street, Davidson, NC. on Oct. 22 and 23 at 7pm, and Oct. 24, 2pm. Donations welcome at the door and will benefit future Connie Company programming.

‘WOMEN WHO STEAL’

Warehouse Productions will open a comedy, “Women Who Steal” on Friday, Nov. 5, at Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216 Westmoreland Road, Cornelius. The play runs November 5th-6th and November 11th-14th. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased through tickets@warehousepac.com or 704-619-0429.