Springtime at Baker University promises to be full of drama with the opening of two plays, “Ghosts” and “Angel Street.”
Auditions for both plays were held Monday and Tuesday. Associate Professor of Theater Bruce Woodruff said the turnout was predictable, and while the number of students who show up to auditions depends on the show.
“Angel Street” is a Victorian thriller written in 1939 by Patrick Hamilton. It will challenge its actors to speak with an English accent.
Woodruff, who will be directing “Angel Street,” listened to students read the play and often rearranged and switched characters in the middle of scenes to find his cast.
“I look at the character, and I look at the description that the playwright gives. Then I look at who auditions and see who fit the characteristics,” Woodruff said.
At the beginning of the auditions, the students were asked to list their other commitments and were told that rehearsals will be Sunday through Thursday for three hours a night. Woodruff said students need to be at all the rehearsals, as “Angel Street” will open in a matter of weeks.
“Ghosts,” written by Henrik Ibsen, is the second show of the season and will be directed by senior Tracy Fischer. This show was not being cast at the auditions but instead will have callbacks at a later date.
Fischer is a theater major and hopes to work on the business side of the theater in the future.
“I enjoy theater; it’s a different way of expressing yourself,” Fischer said. It challenges you to become emotionally attached to the audience.”
“Angel Street” will be performed March 1-4. “Ghosts” will be April 19-22 in the Darby-Hope Theatre.