Auditions set for UIS Theatre's production of Wendy Wasserstein's The Heidi Chronicles

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will hold open auditions for the first production of its 2010-2011 season – Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Chronicles - on Sunday, August 29, and Monday, August 30, 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, August 31.

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 in the Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA 62) for a refundable $10 deposit and at Brookens Library.

The Heidi Chronicles humorously, poignantly, and historically traces Heidi Holland’s coming of age from the late 60s to the late 80s—mirroring a generation’s coming of age trek through various political and social movements. Mel Gussow of the New York Times wrote: “We see Heidi on her own rock-strewn path to liberation. As she moves from high school intellectual to awakening feminist, in the background we hear about political and cultural events. Heidi and her group are emblematic of their time, but the historical references never become intrusive. They form a time line on which Heidi teeters like a tightrope walker. Following the chronicles of Heidi, theatergoers are left with tantalizing questions about women today and tomorrow.”

UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct this Pulitzer-prize & Tony-award winning play. Production dates are October 22-24 and 28-30. 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 August 29 or August 30 in the Studio Theatre.

For more information about auditions, the play, or helping behind the scenes, contact Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-8307 or mthom1@uis.edu. You may also visit the Theatre Program’s website at www.uis.edu/theatre