Open Auditions for "Song of Survival"

Affton CenterStage Theatre will hold auditions for “Song of Survival”, by Eleanor Harder and Ray Harder,  on Thursday, August 17 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, August 19, at noon at Mid America Grocers, 5431 Chippewa in St. Louis.  Performances are scheduled to be held at the Robert Rheim Theatre, in the Kirkwood Community Center, at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14.  The play will be directed by Jadienne Nolan.

 

All auditions are open and will include cold readings from the script.  Auditions will last about two hours.  Resumes and pictures are welcome but not required.  The cast consists of 14 females, aged 17 and up. 

 

Based on the autobiographical work of Helen Colijn, who survived three-and-a-half years of internment in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, "Song of Survival" is "a stunning drama about women interned during World War II in Japanese prisoner of war camps and the music they created to sustain themselves...A powerful and well-scripted depiction of an extraordinary story."  Present-day Helen, as narrator, faces herself as a younger Helen in the group of imprisoned women.  Conflict results.  Today's Helen urges forgiveness, while young Helen insists that the daily horrors be remembered.  Among the prisoners there's humor, extraordinary courage and compassion, as well as acts of selfishness.  But above all, there's glorious music to unite them and give them hope.  "Great theatre that touches the heart with its story and music."

 

For further information, including directions to auditions, please visit our web site (www.afftoncenterstage.org) or call 636-349-6880.