Kent State University at Stark Theatre has announced open auditions for the season’s fall theatrical production, Dating is Tough To Do…and Funny, Too! The show consists of a group of zany contemporary one-act comedies (Courting 101, Single and Proud, Tangled Web and A Chance Meeting) that explore the search for romance.
 
Auditions will be held from 7 - 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 and 14 in the theatre of the Fine Arts Building, 6000 Frank Avenue NW in Jackson Township.
 
Auditions are open to everyone, including students and community persons. Roles are available for men and women in a variety of ages. Those auditioning have the choice of working from sides (selected scene excerpts) or they may perform a prepared monologue. The director will also choose sides for people and scene partners.
 
The production will be performed on Nov. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 in the Kent State Stark Theatre. Rehearsals will commence shortly after casting is completed and will usually occur approximately five evenings a week until opening.
 
Scripts (and audition sides or scene excerpts used for the auditions) are available for perusal for periods up to 24 hours from the secretary (330-244-5151) of the Fine Arts Building, Monday through Friday, during business hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Audition appointments are recommended, but not required. Scripts and audition sides will also be available in the reserve area of the Stark Campus Library.
 
For more information, contact Brian Newberg*, newly appointed theatre director at Kent State Stark, at bnewberg@kent.edu or 330-244-3352.     
    
Note:  An informal and optional audition workshop will be offered by Newberg on Friday, Sept. 3, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Kent State Stark Theatre. This workshop is not required in order to audition, but is offered for those new to theatre and the auditioning process. The goal of the workshop is to demystify auditions, prepare people for the experience and reduce the common anxiety associated with auditions.
 
* Brian Newberg is the new theatre director/assistant professor of theatre at the Kent State University at Stark, where he will direct productions of Dating is Tough To Do…and Funny, Too! (a group of one-act comedies), Songs For A New World and The Glass Menagerie during the 2010-11 season. Newberg comes to Kent State Stark from the Willamette STAGE Company in Oregon, where he served as associate artistic director -- involved as a director, actor and educator (running an acting/directing studio). Newberg’s directing experience (more than 50 production credits) includes Broadway, regional, equity waiver, industry showcases, new work development and many college productions. He has extensive experience as an actor (more than 70 production credits) in the New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oregon areas. Newberg is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and received his M.F.A. in directing from the University of California, Irvine.