Auditions: People Like To Be Scared – an exploration of fear.
People Like To Be Scared: An Exploration of Fear – an original devised piece by Cue Zero Theatre Company under the direction of Dan Pelletier.
AUDITIONS: Sunday May 18th from 6p-9p
Callbacks Tuesday May 20th – 6p-9p
Performances: October 3-5
All rehearsals and performances will take place at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire – 19 Keewaydin Drive #4, Salem, NH 03079
Those wishing to be considered should sign up for an appointment at cztheatre.com and prepare up to two minutes of material that best showcases their acting/performance skills. Callbacks will consist of cold reading, improv games and exercises, and an interview.
Anyone wishing to submit a video audition must do so by 3p on Sunday, May 18th, and must be available for in-person callbacks.
Video submissions may be sent to cztheatre@gmail.com.
Synopsis: An original devised piece built around the concept of fear. What are we afraid of? Why are we afraid of it? We will look at everything from things that go bump in the night, the creations of media and literature, to everyday fears. We will touch upon horror, terror, and vulnerability. We’ll be looking to bring together a group of actors who will be unafraid to explore this emotional state that is inside all of us, sometimes rules us, and must be defeated.
Process:
- May – Auditions and Casting
- June/July – Meeting once a week for group training/ensemble building Sunday evenings. Outside of rehearsal, performers will be given research assignments, begin gathering information to build a portfolio of source material. The cast will work together to further develop the base-concept, and construct spine and framing for the piece.
- Early August – regular rehearsals begin – three days a week. Characters developed, script outlined, improv exercises created – video and audio recording of improvised scenes will help develop the script.
- Script Finalized by September 1st
- Tech week begins Sunday 9/28 – Performances 10/3-10/5
Notes:
- Finalized script will have a linear plot, not looking to create a vignette style show
- Minimal set pieces
Casting:
- Need 8-16 actors who play off each other well, create, explore, take risks
- While the piece will be an ensemble creation, inevitably some actors will fall into leading roles and others fall into supporting roles. All performers should be comfortable with an ego-free give-and-take approach.
- Actors will need to be ready to bring personal experiences as well as doing research into the subject matter to help prepare themselves as well as to create a shared knowledge base of the cast
- No improvisation experience needed
How to Get The Roles You Want – a Musical Theatre Masterclass
Tuesday June 6th 2025 – 6:00p – Arts Academy of New Hampshire – 19 Keywaydin Drive #4, Salem, NH
Come develop your auditioning skills and learn more about how a directing team casts a production at Cue Zero’s Workshop How to Get The Roles You Want – a Musical Theatre Masterclass. Led by Artistic Director Dan Pelletier and music director Amanda Morgan, the evening will begin with the team discussing how a cast list comes together, what the directors are really looking for, and how to stand out from the crowd. Participants will then be given an opportunity to partake in a mock audition exercise where they can try out cuts/songs. Attendees will get specific and direct feedback on their work.
Participants should be at least 16 years of age.
Those wishing to participate should prepare 32-bars of a musical theatre piece that they would bring to an audition and best showcases their acting and singing ability. It is requested performers bring sheet music, as there will be an accompanist provided. The cost for the workshop is $10, which can be paid cash, check, or Venmo at the door. Space is limited and sign ups will close after the maximum occupancy has been reached.
About Dan – Dan is both the founder and artistic director of Cue Zero Theatre Company. A 2013 graduate of UNH’s Department of Theatre and Dance, he has directed with such organizations as the Actorsingers, the Majestic Theatre, and the Windham Actors Guild. He has also worked in various roles at the Palace Theatre and the Ogunquit Playhouse. Dan is proud to be a five-time NHTA Best Director nominee, and a member of the Union Leader’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. He is always striving to bring new and exciting work to the Southern New Hampshire area. He loves sharing his passion for the arts with his students at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire where he teaches the full time. In his free time, Dan enjoys reading comic books (Superman, The Flash, and Harley Quinn being his favorite characters), playing retro video games, watching professional wrestling, and writing plays. He is a big believer in giving back to the community, having accumulated over five hundred volunteer hours with organizations such as FIRST Robotics, Group Workcamps Foundation, and The Elliot Hospital. He would like to thank Caitlyn, Mina, Mom, Dad, Heather, Molly, Jack, PJ, and his friends and family for all their love and support.
About Amanda: Amanda is an award winning music director with almost 20 years of experience in musical theatre and production credits throughout the Greater Boston Area. Most recently, Amanda has worked with Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Plymouth State University, Voices of Hope Boston, and assisted in accompanying / music directing numerous educational theatre programs throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Amanda has served the past two years as the music director for the New Hampshire Theatre Awards, and has a resume that ranges from Golden Age to Contemporary Musical Theatre – she’s played (almost) everything, with a particular fondness for “the Stephens” (Schwartz and Sondhelim).
Summer 2025 Workshops and Classes
Cue Zero is looking to offer workshops and classes this summer at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem. Please fill out this survey so we can be sure our docket of offerings reflects our community’s wants and needs
Check back for auditions, workshops, and other opportunities
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