A Bedtime Gorey: Hideout Mainstage Auditions

[valetoile]

An audition date has been set for A Bedtime Gorey, the Hideout's Mainstage show which will play Saturdays at 8 in November and December.

Audtions will be held Sunday, August 25th at the Hideout Theatre, from 4-7pm in half-hour or hour long blocks. You can sign up for auditions here: http://hideout.cc/goreyauditions.

A Bedtime Gorey is an improv show based on the work of Edward Gorey. It will be a mix of short- and long-form improv, using short-form game elements inside of a long-form framework. I'm looking for people with a flair for the theatrical who are comfortable with physicality. Any experience with dance or puppetry is a plus but certainly not required. I have a strong idea for the tone and many of the elements, but am looking for a dedicated group of 10-12 people who are willing to take an active part in creating the final form of the show collaboratively.

Mr. and Mrs. Touchpaper host a sprightly soiree in grand Edwardian fashion, replete with parlor games, forfeits, and inane conversation. Meanwhile, the children of the family and their guests (represented by the audience) are shuffled off to the nursery to be watched by the intimidating governess, who seems to take particular delight in relaying cautionary tales which seem to always have a gruesome end. As her stories unfold, the party guests become full size shadow puppets behind a movable screen. Sometimes if it is the Governess's night off, the brooding gardener may be left to watch over the poor little things.

Unfamiliar with the works of Edward Gorey? Take a look at the opening credits for PBS's Mystery!, which was my introduction to him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAmGsM4Dids

Or you may be familiar with The Gashlycrumb Tinies, a pretty good example of how gruesomely the children are going to die in this show:
http://takalak.narod.ru/gorey/

And maybe also check out some of this cool shadow puppet stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1rx0eN29gs (the show starts around 1:30)
I'm hoping to use some of those techniques, but with more props and a Gorey-er tone.

I'll be assigning audition times as we get closer to the date and I have a picture of how many people are interested and what their audition availability is. If you are desperately interested and can't make the audition, send me a message and we'll figure it out. Looking forward to seeing you there!

[thedward]

The second YouTube link appears to be the same as the first; I mention this primarily because I want to see the shadow puppetry.

[happywaffle]

YAY

[valetoile]

You're right, Thedward! I'll fix that tonight when I get home.

[Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell]

so much macabre joy that this is going to exist.

[valetoile]

Okay shadow puppet link fixed

[Andreas Fabis]

Wheeee!

I mean "Arrrrrrgh".

[valetoile]

Bump! Auditions are coming soon, I'll start assigning audition slots by this weekend so sign up asap if you're interested!

[Heidi.N.Rogers]

My favorite line from Edward Gorey's "The Doubtful Guest" is the very last one, which is eery and unsettling, yet also endearing:

"It came seventeen years ago - and to this day
It has shown no intention of going away."

You can see this book read on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlnbL9yVtd8

[Heidi.N.Rogers]

"K is for Kate who was struck with an axe."

But who threw the ax?!?! BAH!!!!



I've never seen anyone write Children's Books (or are they?) like this! They are eerie and tragic, and yet somehow the drawing style and the rhyming text are soothing and cathartic. Fascinating!

[kbadr]

This has always been my favorite, for the wonderful moment of tension it captures.



T is for Titus who flew into bits.

[valetoile]

There were so many awesome people who came out to audition! I wish I could have cast twice as many. Here are the fine folks who will be bringing Gorey tales this winter:

Aaron Saenz
Alex Baia
Andreas Fabis
Cat Drago
Jason Vines
Jayme Ramsey
Kaci Beeler
Kareem Badr
Marc Majcher
Mia Iseman
Nicole Oliver
Ruby Willmann

[happywaffle]

I have not a shred of disappointment at not being cast, since I look at this list of names and think to myself "Yep, they absolutely belong on that stage." Congrats to everybody and I can't wait to see it.