Auditions for Circophony Youth Circus September 9

Performers of all variety between the ages of 12 and 18 are encouraged to audition for Circophony Youth Circus Company.  Auditions for the 2014-15 season will be held Tuesday, September 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown.

Circophony is a select youth circus company committed to providing first class training to aspiring circus performers while creating an exciting new show which will tour to schools, clubs, fairs, corporate events, festivals, and perhaps even the 2015 American Youth Circus Festival.

Circophony is a collaboration between ARTFARM and Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater. The Company is open by audition to young people ages twelve to eighteen. Prior circus experience is not required.

Young people selected for the Company receive a rigorous combination of circus training, physical conditioning and rehearsal/production experience. Members are expected to arrive punctually, attend all rehearsals and performances, work hard, be strong team players, and train independently outside of rehearsals.

If you do not have circus experience, a background in dance, gymnastics, theater, cheerleading, parkour, hooping, magic or serious physical activity is helpful. The show is directed by ARTFARM’s Executive Director Dic Wheeler, who has been performing, directing and teaching circus in the United States and Europe for thirty years. Dic is the founder of the Children’s Circus of Middletown and ARTFARM’s Circus for a Fragile Planet, and is a member of the American Youth Circus Organization and American Circus Educators Association. Circophony’s Lead Trainer is circus performer and teacher Allison McDermott, an acrobat, aerialist, graduate of the Professional Track Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont, and Director of the Advanced Circus Program at the Children’s Circus of Middletown.

Circophony is in its third season, though the Oddfellows Traveling Circus has been around since 2001. The 2013-14 show was Circus in Wonderland, a circus inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and the previous season Circophony toured Circophony’s Vaudeville Circus, a celebration of Vaudeville.

General Auditions for the Company will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Auditioners should call or email to pre-register, arrive early, dress to move, and plan to stay for the entire two hours. Each auditioner must prepare and present a one minute solo performance showcasing your best circus skill or skills. Solo should have an entrance, series of events/tricks leading to a climax, and an exit. Music, props, costume are all encouraged. Show us what you can do and demonstrate your ability to create original material.

Circophony’s new show will open in December at Oddfellows Playhouse, then be available for touring through June. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6 – 9 pm, starting September 16. Tuition for the entire season is $300.

For more information about auditioning for Circophony or booking the 2014-15 touring show, contact ARTFARM (info@art-farm.org) or Oddfellows Playhouse (info@oddfellows.org).

 www.art-farm.org

www.oddfellows.org