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January 23, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Auditions February 3 and 4 for
CSU Dominguez Hills Production of “Everyman — The Musical”

(Carson, CA) – The California State University, Dominguez Hills Department of Theatre Arts, in association with the Dominguez Bridge Theatre Company, is holding auditions on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday Feb. 4, for “Everyman—The Musical: The South Bay Bridge Project,” its final play of the 2008-2009 season.

Open to members of the community of all ethnicities and ages, the auditions will take place both days beginning at 7 p.m. in the University Theatre. 

Using interviews from South Bay residents involved with local community service organizations, faculty member Bill DeLuca has written an adaptation of the 15th century morality play, “Everyman.” The production will be directed by instructor of theatre arts Naomi Buckley, who will start rehearsals in March for an April 17 opening.

"Everyman—the Musical" is a humorous reflection on life and death. Represented by a 12-member chorus of singing and dancing skeletons, Death is sent by the Gods to visit Everyman, and convince the poor sinner to prepare to face the Creator. Terrified, Everyman tries to convince other characters (Beauty, Strength, Fellowship) to help, but only Good Deeds shows the way to heaven by helping Everyman serve the needs of others.

Below is a list of the parts to be cast, along with brief character descriptions:
 
Perdida: Middle-aged homeless woman; strong voice.

Calacas: 12 skeletons in masks/makeup who represent Death; they sing and dance too.

The Gods: Zeus, father of Greek gods; Yahweh, the Old Testament God; Saraswati, a Hindu goddess with four arms; Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec deity; and Yemaja, the Yoruba mother goddess.

Everyman: Represented by 3 Everypersons: Every Bro, an African-American dad; Every Dude, a white surfer; and Every Woman, in her 60s;

Community:Members from service organizations in the South Bay, named Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Beauty:  Palos Verdes teen queen, on the runway

Knowledge: CSUDH professor, male or female, in cap and gown

Greed:Real estate agent from Lawndale

Fellowship: Black woman from Gardena, warm and understanding

Kindred: A Latino family from Carson (mother, son, two girls, and a grandfather)

Discretion:Lawyer from Torrance

3 Puppeteers: Five Wits is a five-headed puppet from San Pedro; Strength is a Redondo Beach weight lifter puppet; and Goods is a stylish white rapper puppet with lots of Bling from Lomita.

Three Devils:They grab a sinner, Caitlin, and drag her to hell: Mick, the boss, Bel, a hot chick, and Mr. Scratch, the enforcer.

Good Deeds:Suffering woman who saves Everyman in the end.

In preparation for the audition, individuals should memorize a two-minute dramatic monologue from a contemporary or classical play, as well bring a picture and resume.  Perusal scripts are available in the University Theatre Lounge, the LaCort Hall Art Lounge, and on reserve at the Leo F. Cain Library. 

For more information, send an e-mail to nbuckley@csudh.edu and include “Everyman” in the subject line.

The Dominguez Bridge Theatre Company is a community-based theater group formed in 2007 by the CSUDH Department of Theatre Arts. Inspired by Cornerstone Theatre Company in Los Angeles, famous for creating theatre performances for and with the community it serves, Dominguez Bridge members interview students, faculty and staff of the university and local residents to identify issues, people, and events that define this community. They then turn those interviews into community-relevant theater for the South Bay.

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About CSU Dominguez Hills -- California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse, urban university located in the South Bay, primarily serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered environment. Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology, business administration, and digital media arts, new degree programs include computer science, criminal justice, recreation and leisure studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and cycling.

Media Contact:
Amy Bentley-Smith
(310) 243-2455
abentleysmith@csudh.edu

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