Playful People Productions is seeking playful people ages five to 105 for two upcoming musicals: Seussical JR, directed by Shannon Santandrea and Emily Pennington, and Footloose, The Musical, directed by The T (T Saffold). Participants are not required to be vaccinated; masks are optional during rehearsal. Registration for both shows is currently open; auditions will be held July 24—26. For more information on Playful People and their programs, visit
https://www.playfulpeople.org or call (408) 878-5362.
Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR, from Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime). Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat (our narrator) tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos: including Jojo, a Who child, who gets in trouble for thinking too many thinks. Horton's challenge is twofold — not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant! Suggested age range is four to 11. Seussical JR rehearses August 7 through September 21, Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:30pm OR Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-6:30pm. Performances will be Sept. 22—Oct. 1, 2023.
Footloose, The Musical bursts onto the live stage in October with new songs augmenting the powerhouse hits from its bestselling Oscar-nominated movie score. Based on the hit 1984 movie, the action follows Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago who moves with his mother to the small town of Bomont. The local Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of his friend Willard and the Reverend’s daughter, Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all. This musical, which will be performed with teens and adults, celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. Suggested age range is from 12 to 112. Footloose, The Musical rehearses August 7 through October 26, Mondays through Thursdays at 6:30-9:30pm and Saturdays at 10am-6pm (not all cast members will be called for all rehearsals). Performances will be Oct. 27—29 and Nov. 3—5, 2023.
Playful People Productions was first founded in 2010 as a positive, inclusive, family-focused theatre company, and has operated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit since 2017. While initially providing classes, camps, and shows for kids, the company has grown to offer similar classes for adults, and stages multi-generational performances where family members can perform together.
Playful People Productions aims to create an inclusive environment where all feel welcome, and where creative impulses are encouraged by experienced Bay Area artists. The organization follows Positive Discipline guidelines as well as proven child education techniques; continually works to ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers, and staff; and regularly gives families the opportunity to share the exhilarating experience of performing together. During the nonprofit's tenure, they have enjoyed frequent instances of children performing on stage with siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents — and have also welcomed adults who wish to perform but find local theater auditions and rehearsals do not fit their needs.
FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:
WHAT: Playful People Productions is seeking playful people of all ages for two upcoming musicals: Seussical JR, directed by Shannon Santandrea and Emily Pennington, and Footloose, The Musical, directed by The T (T Saffold). Participants are not required to be vaccinated; masks are optional during rehearsal.
Seussical JR, from Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty brings favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life in a show about friendship, loyalty, and protecting the vulnerable, and opens September 22. Footloose, The Musical, based on the hit 1984 movie, follows a teenage boy from Chicago who moves with his mother to a small town which has outlawed dancing; and opens October 27.
WHEN: Registration is currently open for both shows.
Footloose Auditions will be held July 24—26, 2023, 5:30-7pm or 7:30-9pm.
Seussical auditions will be held July 24—25, 2023, 4:30-6:30pm.
Video auditions for both shows will also be accepted.
All rehearsals begin August 7 and continue through opening.
WHERE: Historic Hoover Theatre
1635 Park Avenue, San Jose CA 95126
DETAILS: To register for auditions, visit
https://playfulpeople.org/registration and choose Register for a Show/Class; on the Arts-People page select Season 2023/2024.
For more information or assistance, call (408) 878-5362.
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