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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-10.25.11-Equus
October 25, 2011
Theatre Department to Host 'Equus' Auditions Nov. 5
The College of the Canyons theatre department will host an open audition date for three pivotal roles featured in the department’s spring 2012 production of Peter Schaffer’s Tony Award-winning play “Equus.”
Chronicling the disturbing journey of a young man who seems to have a passion for horses, but whom is harboring darker desires, “Equus” originally opened at the National Theatre in 1973 to worldwide acclaim.
During the 2008-09 Broadway season the production enjoyed a successful revival starring “Harry Potter” stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths in the lead roles of Alan Strang and Dr. Martin Dysart, and “True Blood” actress Anna Camp as female lead Jill Mason.
“‘Equus’ is a powerful, important play as relevant today as it was when it was written in the early 1970s,” said Paul Wickline, COC theatre department chair. “We are beginning the casting process now in hopes of finding actors to play these three pivotal roles before hosting full auditions in February.”
Auditions will be held by appointment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the college dance studio, located in Pico Hall, Room 101 on the Valencia campus.
About the Characters
All roles in this production will require a British dialect, however, actors do not need to audition with an accent. In addition, certain scenes will require brief nudity, but these scenes will not be included in the audition process.
- Martin Dysart (male age range 40-55) -- A psychiatrist, Dr. Dysart comes to doubt the value of his own work, and perhaps as a result, suffers a series of nightmares.
- Alan Strang (male age range 18-25) -- A lean boy of 17, Alan is arrested after blinding six horses at Harry Dalton’s stable where he works. (Role requires nudity).
- Jill Mason (age range 18-25) -- Pretty and middle class, Jill eventually becomes Alan’s love interest. (Role requires nudity).
Audition Process
Actors are required to prepare a one to two minute monologue, and should be prepared to perform a cold reading from the “Equus” script. Actors are also encouraged to bring a headshot and resume to the audition, if available.
Actors cast in the production must be available for rehearsal beginning in mid-March and running through May 16, 2012.
Performances of “Equus” are scheduled to run on the main stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons from May 17-20.
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