JOIN US!
Colonial Chorus Players is always looking for volunteers and new members! We are a community theatre, and the bigger our community of players, the better our shows become!
If you have an interest in singing, acting, dancing, set design, playing an instrument, building sets, painting sets, drama direction, producing, music direction, choreography, theatrical lighting, publicity, tickets, refreshments, sound systems, props, costumes, makeup, stage crew, or any other facet of theater, we welcome you to join us.
The production staff is made up of volunteers who generously offer their services and talents. The sets are designed and painted by the membership, so that there is a personal touch in each production we create. We have experienced members who are willing to teach newcomers about the various aspects of theater production.
Whether you have a lot of free time, or just a few hours to come paint with us, there is always something fun and exciting to do with Colonial Chorus Players!
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in CCP is open to all adults age 18+. Dues are just $25 per person annually for the season, which runs June 1 to May 31. Come join the fun!
Why Become a Member?
There are lots of benefits to joining CCP’s membership. Only CCP members . . .
- Receive our monthly membership newsletter
- Vote at General Business Meetings
- Are eligible to become a member of the Executive Board
- Join our private Facebook group The Old Hose House
- Perform at special one-night events such as cabarets
- Audition for our holiday radio play production
- Get discounts on workshops
How to Become a New Member or Renew Your Membership
- Email our Membership Chair at membership@ccp1961.org and provide your name, email address, cell number, and home mailing address.
- Pay your $25 dues in one of three ways:
- Venmo @ColonialChorusPlayers. Please enter Membershipin the "What's It For?" field.
- Click the Buy Now button below and complete your transaction via PayPal.
- Mail a check for $25 made out to Colonial Chorus Players for $25 per person to:
Colonial Chorus Players
Attention: Membership Chair
P.O. Box 443
Reading, MA 01867
VOLUNTEERS
We could not put on our productions without the help of a large cast of volunteers! Do you sing, dance, or act? Check out our audition information and share your talents! Do you love to paint or build things? Help us out with set design and construction. Do you have technical skills? Try your hand at lighting or sound. Are you more of a backstage person? You could help out with props, makeup, or stage crew. Sewing skills? Come help out with costumes. Natural born leader? Each production needs directors and producers. You could help with publicity, ticket sales, refreshments, or any other facet of putting on a show. Come and join the fun! Contact us to introduce yourself and tell us how you would like to contribute to CCP!
AUDITIONS
SISTER ACT
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner
Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane
Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture, Sister Act, written by Joseph Howard.
Directed by Jason Hair-Wynn
Musical Direction by Karissa Vincent
Choreography by Jill Tokac
Stage Management by Ally Lewis
Produced by Jennifer Estabrooks and Fred Gallagher
Sister Act is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put into protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community—and along the way discovers the power of her newly found sisterhood. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to REJOICE!
PRODUCTION DATES:
- May 09, 2024 @ 7 PM [tentative]
- May 10, 2024 @ 7 PM
- May 11, 2024 @ 7 PM
- May 12, 2024 @ 2 PM
LOCATION:
Auditions and rehearsals at the Old Hose House Theater, 1249 Main Street, Reading, MA. Performances at Parker Middle School, 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA.
AUDITIONS & SIGNUPS:
Please sign up for one of the following dates and time slots on Signup Genius.
- Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 7–10 PM
- Saturday, January 13, 2024, 5–8 PM
- Sunday, January 14, 2024, 6–9 PM
Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 6 PM
Callbacks will consist of reading sides, singing from the show, and movement/dance.
AUDITION PREPARATION:
Please prepare two contrasting musical pieces in the style of the show. Songs from the show are acceptable.
Please print and fill out the Audition Form, the Rehearsal Conflicts Calendar, sheet music, and headshot and résumé (if you have them). Please arrive 15 minutes before your time slot to complete paperwork.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
- Sundays, 2–6 PM
- Tuesdays, 7–10 PM
- Thursdays, 7–10 PM (beginning February 22, 2024)
Please print the Rehearsal Conflicts Calendar, fill out any conflicts, and bring to audition. No additional conflicts except for emergencies will be accepted once rehearsals begin. Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal. Scheduled tech rehearsals and performances mandatory for all cast members.
VIDEO AUDITIONS:
If you are unable to audition in person, you may audition via video. Record an audition video and upload to YouTube or Vimeo. Email jenniferestabrooks06@gmail.com with the following:
- Your headshot and résumé
- Completed CCP Audition Form
- Completed CCP Rehearsal Conflicts Calendar
- Link to YouTube or Vimeo
CAST OFFERS:
Following auditions and callbacks, you will be contacted via phone or email and will have 24 hours to accept your role if offered one.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT:
Cast members are required to become a member of Colonial Chorus Inc. by paying dues of $25 for the current season (June 2023–May 2024). Additionally, there is a $40 production fee to cover costumes and other materials. Alternative arrangements to cover fees can be made at the discretion of the producers.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
All roles are available. Please note that vocal ranges and descriptions were provided by MTI; ages are of the characters and not of the actors portraying them.
Seeking actors, singers, and movers/dancers. As we plan and look forward to a diverse production, we strongly encourage persons of color and LGBTQ+ performers to audition. Roles are open to all abilities, race/ethnicity, disability, age, and gender/gender identity.
Aspiring performer, trying to find both fame and a place in the world. When forced to hide in the convent, she initially refuses to embrace her new lifestyle, but learns to embrace it when she works with the choir. Loud-mouthed and sassy, but ultimately caring.
Mother Superior (Female identifying; age: 50–70; vocal range: E5–D3)
Head of the convent, sarcastic and a bit stiff. Extremely protective about keeping her sisters away from the outside world, which puts her in direct opposition to Deloris and her musical teachings.
Eddie Souther (Male identifying; age: 25–35; ethnicity: Black, African Descent, Multiracial; vocal range: B4–Ab2; moves well)
Desk chief at the Philadelphia police station and high school classmate of Deloris who helps get her into hiding. Faces a lot of nerves when under pressure, causing him to sweat profusely. Still yearns for Deloris after all these years, and dreams of being her hero.
Sister Mary Robert (Female identifying; age: 18–25; vocal range: A5–F#3)
Postulant, abandoned as a baby and raised at the convent. Shy and soft-spoken, but singing with Deloris lets her find her voice. Her wallflower lifestyle has made her live a shell of a life.
Sister Mary Patrick (Female identifying; age: 35–50)
A nun of the convent. Consistently perky, enthusiastic, and easily excitable.
Sister Mary Lazarus (Female identifying; age: 50–70; vocal range: B4–F3)
A nun of the convent and head of the choir. Rather deadpan and the least welcoming of any of the nuns, but she gets caught up in Deloris's soul music.
Monsignor O'Hara (Male identifying; age: 45–60; vocal range: G4–E3)
One of the heads of the convent. Constantly concerned with financial matters, though soul music surprisingly puts him in a different mood.
Curtis (Male identifying; age: 30–40; vocal range: Ab4–A2)
Club owner, notorious gangster, and Deloris's boyfriend. Cocky and controlling, always on the verge of violence.
TJ (Male identifying; age: 18–30; vocal range: Eb5–Db3)
Curtis's nephew and one of his thugs. Deft and cognizant of the fact, constantly in a state of ignorant bliss.
Joey (Male identifying; age: 30–40; vocal range: Eb5–Bb2)
One of Curtis's thugs. Believes himself to be quite the ladies' man.
Pablo (Male identifying; age: 25–40; vocal range: F5–C4)
One of Curtis's thugs. A natural follower, constantly speaks in Spanish.
Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours (Female identifying; age: 40–60)
A nun of the convent. Clearly in her own world, but has her moments of surprising clarity.
Sister Mary Theresa (Female identifying; age: 60–70)
A nun of the convent, the oldest of the group. Decrepit at a glance, but secretly packs a punch.
Michelle (Female identifying; age: 20–30; vocal range: F5–Bb3)
One of Deloris's backup singers. Lippy and always quick with a retort.
Tina (Female identifying; age: 20–30; vocal range: F5–Ab3)
One of Deloris's back-up singers. A little thick and naive.
Ernie (Male identifying; age: 25–35)
One of Curtis's thugs. Initially thought to be a mindless yes-man, he turns out to be an undercover police informant.
Ensemble will consist of any gender and ability who will portray various characters in the show, including backup dancers. The roles of Michelle,Tina, and Ernie will be played by ensemble actors.
CORI BACKGROUND CHECK:
If we have teens under age 18 in cast or on production team, all adults who are part of production will complete CORI background check.
CCP COVID POLICY (SUBJECT TO UPDATES):
All cast, crew, and creative team members must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in a CCP production. CCP reserves the right to update this policy.
GENERAL POLICIES:
This document contains important information about Colonial Chorus Players. Please read before auditioning.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Jennifer Estabrooks at jenniferestabrooks06@gmail.com
OFF-SEASON SHOWS
Are you interested in working with CCP to present a show outside of our regular season? Off Season shows can either be musicals or straight plays, and all you need to do is submit your proposal to the board. Email us to request guidelines for play submission.