Auditions set for UIS Theatre's production of Rebecca Gilman's Spinning Into Butter

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will hold open auditions for the second production of its 2010-2011 season – Rebecca Gilman’s Spinning Into Butter - on Sunday, February 6, and Monday, February 7, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights in the Studio Theatre, located on level one of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Call-backs will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8.

Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience. Auditions will consist of “cold readings” from the script, and prepared monologues and resumes are appreciated but are not required. Scripts are available for check-out for a refundable $10 deposit at Brookens Library.

Spinning Into Butter explores the dangers of both racism and political correctness in America today. Curtain Up and Library Journal summarize the play as follows: Sarah Daniels, the Dean of Students at fictional, idyllic northeastern Belmont College, is dedicated to helping students like Patrick Chibas obtain an available scholarship and persuades him that "the ends justify the means" when he balks at identifying himself as a standard minority. Then an unprecedented incident of racism on the campus forces Sarah to confront her own demons of prejudice and fears. According to Dramatic Publishing company, “Her self-examination leads to some surprising discoveries and painful insights, the consequences of which even she can't predict.”

UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson directs Chicago playwright Rebecca Gillman’s provocative and challenging play. Production dates are April 8-10 and 14-16. The curtain time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows is 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance starting at 2 p.m.

Those interested in working on a crew (running crew, costumes, props, stage management) will be asked to fill out a crew application form, and meet briefly with Thibodeaux-Thompson beginning at 6 p.m. on February 6 or February 7 in the Studio Theatre.

For more information about auditions, the play, or helping behind the scenes, contact Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-6613 or ethib1@uis.edu. You may also visit the Theatre Program’s website at www.uis.edu/theatre.