Actors of all ages needed for 'Sauk Shorts'

Corey Murray, Hillsdale Daily News
·2 min read

JONESVILLE — The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s Community Theater, is seeking approximately 30 actors for their annual celebration of short plays, "Sauk Shorts."

“This production has a very low time commitment,” said Sauk Executive Director Trinity Bird. “Each play rehearses separately. This is the perfect show for someone who has always wanted to do a play but does not have the time to commit to a full-length show.”

Bird added that this year’s production includes six short plays by local writers and the first 10-minute musical to be featured in "Sauk Shorts."

This year’s production will include the following short plays: "Best Day Ever" by G.M. (Bud) Thompson (of Grand Rapids), directed by Bird; "Bittersweet Lullaby" by Will Lacker and Dylan Glatthorn, directed by Bruce Crews; "Gimme Shelter" by Robert Weibezahl, directed by Jennifer Wagler; "God and Growing Old" written and directed by Bud Vear (of Hillsdale); "Sandbox" by Scott Mullen, directed by Sarah Gray; "The Empty Stage" by Bruce Crews (of Jackson), directed by Bird; "The Feast of Asses" by G.M. (Bud) Thompson (of Grand Rapids), directed by Andy Anderson; "The Reception" by Sarah Gray (of Grand Rapids), directed by Conor Slatik; "The Selfie" by Scott Mullen, directed by Savannah Bruton; and "Two Detectives Walk into a Bar" by Jacob Weldon (of Jackson), directed by Josh Hall.

Auditions for "Sauk Shorts" will be held February 5 and 6 at The Sauk in Jonesville. Pictured is a scene from "The Tale of Two Oversharers" from the 2023 "Sauk Shorts."
Auditions for "Sauk Shorts" will be held February 5 and 6 at The Sauk in Jonesville. Pictured is a scene from "The Tale of Two Oversharers" from the 2023 "Sauk Shorts."

There are roles for 14 men, 11 women, one teen boy, one pre-teen boy, one teen girls, one pre-teen girl. Anyone age eight and up can audition. No experience is necessary. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the various scripts. Character descriptions and non-negotiable rehearsal dates can be found at thesauk.org.

Those interested in auditioning for "Bittersweet Lullaby", a ten-minute musical, please prepare 16 bars of a ballad from a Broadway musical. Bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5 and Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago St., Jonesville.

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Performance dates are March 21-24. Rehearsals will begin Feb. 10.

"Sauk Shorts" is sponsored by Sandi Miller. The production of work by local playwrights is supported by a grant from the Walmart Foundation. The Sauk’s 2024 season sponsors are Joyous Journey Photography, WCSR Radio Hillsdale, 99.5 FM The Dale, Simply Hers Magazine and McGraw Publications. The Sauk is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Actors of all ages needed for 'Sauk Shorts'