Heartwood Theater will host youth auditions for ”Treasure Island” open to all Midcoast middle school students in grades 4-8, on Monday, Dec. 1 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Poe Theater, at Lincoln Academy.  This annual Winter Drama Adventure will be co-directed by Teralyn Reiter and Griff Braley.  No prior experience necessary.

This short version of “Treasure Island” is written expressly for middle school students. The author allows cuts/revisions, so the play will be closely crafted around the students who are cast. Students will be costumed, and the full production will include lights, props and set. Three school day performance are scheduled, allowing the cast to perform for hundreds of Midcoast middle school peers Jan. 29 & 30. Evenin public performances will be on Jan.  30 and 31.

Auditions are very simple, working with 5 - 6 students at a time, alleviating pressure from individuals.  Students experience the ensemble ethos and understand that they are part of a cross section of students, with varying experience levels. Each student is given a very short piece (3 or 4 lines) to read aloud and time to preview, before the small group audition. Parents are asked to remain in the prep room or off site during their student’s audition, allowing students to interact directly with the directors. This is not a talent search; the goal is to hear voices, take a measure of comfort on stage, and watch for interpretation and peer interaction.  For audition questions, email braley@lincolnacademy.org. 

Typically, all who show up are cast, dependent upon the audition turnout. Role sizes vary tremendously, from three to one hundred lines, with expectations sized according to each student. After auditions, the directors will adapt the script for those who are cast, then run one read-thru in December, before schools are out for the holidays. Students are expected to come to their first of 14 January rehearsals with their lines/roles memorized.

For more information, visit heartwoodtheater.org.  

This annual youth production is sponsored in part by: Bath Savings Institution (Season Sponsor), Damariscotta Hardware (Season Youth Sponsor), and First National Bank (Education Sponsor).  Scores of local businesses, individual donors and grant organizations provide essential support for this type of programming.