Powerhouse, Winnipesaukee Playhouse to hold auditions for Shakespeare adaptation, comedy

LACONIA — Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, the resident theater company of the Colonial Theatre, is excited to announce auditions for two winter productions, one produced in collaboration with the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith.  Auditions will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 6, for Shakespeare’s funniest rom-com, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and one of the funniest plays in recent times, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” 

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is adapted and directed by Joel Iwaskiewicz, and this interpretation is set in Athens… Louisiana.  Summer in the bayou never felt so Shakespearean as Shakespeare’s text mixed with traditional American folk songs will create a unique production to be performed Feb. 13-15. The director is looking for musicians and movers to make up the “swampsemble” of mischievous fairies, as well as actors with a love for or interest in performing Shakespeare.

“The Play that Goes Wrong” by Lewis, Sayer and Shields is one of the funniest comedies to hit Broadway in years.  The Cornley Dramatic Society is excited to produce the murder mystery “Murder at Haversham Manor” when everything, literally, begins to go wrong.  From forgotten lines, to missing props and an uncooperative set, the society bravely continues their play against all odds.  This will perform at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse on March 6-8 and 13-15 and will be directed by Powerhouse’s Bryan Halperin, assisted by the Playhouse’s Cory Lawson.

Halperin said, “Both of these productions give both audience and participants the chance to chase away some of their winter blues with an afternoon or evening filled with laughter, romance and intrigue.  We are looking forward to giving comedic actors a chance to take the spotlight on both stages.”

Auditions for “Midsummer” are for ages 16 plus and for “The Play That Goes Wrong,” ages 18 plus, and will both be held at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 2, and the morning of Thursday, Dec. 6.  Actors may audition for both productions on the same day.  

For more information, see powerhousenh.org/auditions or winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.