Open auditions set for 'The Robber and the Bridegroom'

The Tiffin Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts and the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission have announced upcoming open auditions for the musical production of "The Robber Bridegroom." Adapted from a Grimm's fairytale-inspired novella by Eudora Welty, it promises to be a truly unforgettable experience. Auditions will take place at 7 p.m. April 14 and April 15. Prepare 16-32 measures (30-60 seconds) of a musical theatre piece or bluegrass-style song to be performed a cappella, no accompaniment or backing tracks, please. Actors may be asked to read from the script and dance, so please dress accordingly. Callbacks will be by invitation April 16th. Auditions and callbacks will take place at the Trinity United Church of Christ, 131 E. Perry St., Tiffin. The performance will take place at Osceola Theater on Tiffin University's Campus. This production will be presented in the round. There will be four performances of "The Robber Bridegroom" in Tiffin on the weekend of July 25-28. Rehearsals will begin the week of April 28 and will be held during the evenings. Please come prepared with your calendar of availability. The show will be directed by James Koehl and assistant directed by Amy LeGrant. The music director will be Dani Hummel-Sass and the choreographer will be Laura Warren. The show's producer is George Sherwood, project manager for the Tiffin Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. Sherwood noted, "We are most excited to be bringing theatre in the round to Tiffin. Our goal is to make Tiffin a destination for the arts, and to include as many aspects of our community as possible." "The Robber Bridegroom" is a rousing, bawdy Southern fairytale from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Driving Miss Daisy." The score, by Robert Waldman, is meant to be played by a small band on stage - and it's one of the only genuine bluegrass scores ever heard in a Broadway musical. Set in 18th-century Mississippi, the show follows Jamie Lockhart, a rascally robber of the woods, as he courts Rosamund, the only daughter of the richest planter in the country. The proceedings go awry, however, thanks to a case of double-mistaken identity. Throw in an evil stepmother intent on Rosamund's demise, her pea-brained henchman and a hostile talking head-in-a-trunk, and you have a rollicking country romp. Told in "story theatre" fashion with nine principal actors on a unit set, "The Robber Bridegroom" is extremely flexible in its staging and production possibilities. With its distinct sound, colorful cast, and unique form of storytelling, "The Robber Bridegroom" is a hidden gem! We are looking for a diverse and inclusive cast. Available roles include: Jamie Lockhart – gentleman robber, male presenting. Very Charming. Playable Age Range 20s – 30s. * Clement Musgrove – wealthy planter, male presenting, father of Rosamund. Playable Age 50s * Salome – Musgrove's second wife, female-presenting; unpleasant, strong-willed. Playable Age Range 40s – 50s * Rosamund – beautiful, if willful, daughter, female-presenting; naïve and trusting. Playable Age 20s * Little Harp – not very bright robber, foe of Jamie, male presenting. Playable Age Range 20s – 30s * Big Harp – the head of Little Harp's older brother, brains of their thievery, male presenting. Playable Age 30s * Goat – a simpleton boy, male presenting. Playable Age Range 20s to 30s * Goat's Mother – too many ugly children on her hands, female-presenting. Playable Age Range 40s to 60s * Airie – Goat's sister, also none too bright, female-presenting. Playable Age Range 20s to 30s * Raven – Enigmatic, watchful bird, all genders. Playable Age Range 20s to 30s * Ensemble – Residents of Rodney who sing, dance and set the scene. All genders, various ages. About the Tiffin Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts Putting Tiffin on the map as an arts destination is the goal of a new privately funded organization in Seneca County. Together with the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission, the TFAA has spent its first year making big strides for artists of all kinds. TJ McKee is the executive director of the TFAA. He moved to Tiffin a few years ago and became immediately immersed in the Tiffin Culture. He noticed there were "glaring needs" in the arts community that he hopes to advance. This fall, the TFAA will present a musician's showcase. George Sherwood, the foundation's program director, is excited to provide opportunities for musicians to "present without strings" and reach a wider audience. Sherwood, a Tiffin native, explained, "It is our belief that in a community, the arts play a large role in the community's heath and wellness." He believes that giving Tiffin and Seneca County a space for creative expression will greatly improve the quality of life here. In the future, TFAA will host several VIP fundraising events. The board of 15 members is currently planning an art audition to kick off the fundraising season. The eventual goal of TFAA is to house a community arts center: a brink-and-mortar rehearsal/studio space for everything from theatre to video production. "The Robber Bridegroom" will be the first large-scale project by TFAA. Sherwood gave extra thanks to Brad Rees of Tiffin University's School of Creative and Media Arts and TFAA board member, for his support of the foundation's vision. The foundation began its work in June 2023, and nothing but more exciting news is on the horizon. To learn more about TFAA's mission and to get involved, visit: theTFAA.org.