The UW–Platteville Heartland Festival will be back for its 12th season after taking off 2012.
After a summer of renovations to give the Center for the Arts an updated look, Dr. Ann Dillon Farrelly and Dr. David Schuler will return as the co-artistic directors for the 2013 Heartland Festival.
Joining the team as managing director will be Michael Breitner, director of the university’s arts facilities and series.
“After a successful 11th season and the 2012 hiatus, it’s great to have the festival back,” said Breitner. “I am happy to be a part of the Heartland Festival.”
“This year’s festival will include some exciting changes,” said Farrelly. “In previous years, the festival ran for 10 weeks, from June until August. This year’s festival will only be eight weeks, but the number of performances will remain the same. In addition to the shorter timeline, the two musicals will run consecutively rather than concurrently. The dinner theatre show will run throughout the festival.”
“We thought it was important to bring the festival in line with other summer stock theatre schedules,” said Schuler. “It makes it easier on the staff, and it allows us to focus our energy and resources on one show at a time. The Missoula Children’s Theatre will also be back with two residencies to accommodate the tremendous interest.”
Because the festival was on hiatus last summer, the co-directors wanted to be sure to select shows that would entice the audiences to return.
“The first show of the 2013 season will be ‘Frankly Scarlett, You’re Dead!, a dinner theatre production set in the antebellum south directed by Farrelly,” said Breitner. “The CFA Theatre will host the hilarious ‘Nunsense,’ directed by Schuler. The final show of the season will be the timeless musical, ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ directed by Farrelly and starring Schuler as Tevye. Connie SaLoutos Furlan will return to choreograph both musicals.
“Missoula Children’s Theatre will return with two offerings: ‘Princess and the Pea,’ June 10–15 and ‘Pinocchio,’ July 8–13.”
According to Schuler, the festival will open on June 7 with “Frankly Scarlett, You’re Dead!.” “Nunsense” will run June 14–30, and “Fiddler on the Roof” will run July 6–21.
The Heartland Festival will hold community auditions for its 2013 season in the UWP Center for the Arts Monday, Feb. 25. Children’s auditions are from 4 to 6 p.m. for students entering fourth through eighth grade in the fall. Adult auditions will follow from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Boys will audition from 4 to 5 p.m., with the girls auditioning from 5 to 6 p.m.
No prepared song or reading is required for the children’s auditions. The children will be taught a selection from “Fiddler.” All children are encouraged to dress in clothes comfortable to move in.
Adult participants are asked to prepare a short musical theatre selection, no more than 90 seconds, and a 60-second comic monologue.
“While we prefer to hear a musical theatre piece, people should sing something that they’re confident about and comfortable with,” said Schuler.
Those auditioning should remember to bring along their sheet music in the correct key, a résumé and current photograph or headshot if they have one. An accompanist will be provided. Adults should also wear clothes comfortable enough to move in. Roles are available for actor/singers of all ages.
“We have many parts to fill again this season, so we encourage those who have performed with Heartland in the past and those with less experience who have thought about getting on stage to come out and audition,” said Schuler. “It’s going to be an exciting season.”
For more information, or to sign up for an audition time in advance, contact the Heartland Festival through the University Box Office, 342-1298.
“We are looking forward to this season. I think the shows we have picked will provide many opportunities for both actors and audiences,” said Farrelly. “We really missed being a part of the Platteville community last summer, and we look forward to coming back better than ever.”
