There’s a unique opportunity for local actors happening in Greensboro. This week auditions are being held for a staged reading of a new Christmas play by two well-known children’s authors.
Katherine Paterson and Stephanie Tolan are best known, individually, for their award-winning books for young people. Paterson, who lives in Montpelier, has written several classics including the Newbery Medal winning Bridge to Terabithia and the Newbery Honor novel The Great Gilly Hopkins. Tolan is best known for her Applewhites series, inlcuding Newbery Honor book Surviving the Applewhites.
The two have also collaborated on several theatrical scripts, including stage adaptations of some of their books. Their latest project is a Christmas play called Good King Wenceslas.
Greensboro Arts Alliance & Residency is producing a staged reading of the play. Director Sabra Jones says staged readings give actors a creative license and can produce some exciting surprises.
"It uses the first impulses and instincts of the actor, which sometimes are brilliant beyond compare," says Jones.
Paterson says the performance will help the playwrights in their editing process.
"Boy, we are so thrilled that they like it and they're going to put it on as a staged reading, which is our preferred course of action, really," says Paterson. "We want to see it as a staged reading – or hear it as a staged reading – before we get a final production."
Interested actors should contact Jones for an audition this week. Contact information and parts descriptions are available through GARR's digital newsletter. Actors who are cast be reading on stage alongside Paterson, who will be playing the character Mildred.
The performance will be at 7 p.m. December 11 at the Greensboro United Church of Christ.
