Stage 9’s Annual Talking Tombstones Returns To East Side – Sept 9

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Hutchinson, Kan. – Stage 9 to hold auditions for its annual fundraising event, Talking Tombstones, on September 9, 2017 from 10-2 at Stage 9. Stage 9 is located at 9 S. Main in downtown Hutchinson. Interested actors will be portraying dearly departed residents of Hutchinson and Reno County, whose spirits reside at Eastside Cemetery.

 

This is Stage 9’s 11th year of Talking Tombstones and they are pleased to continue to provide this unique historical experience that Hutchinson has come to love and anticipate. Just like previous years, guides will lead patrons through the historical tombstones at Hutchinson’s Eastside Cemetery as actors bring personalities from the rich history of Reno County to life. Stage 9 is pleased to be auditioning for 4 men and 2 women. This year’s resurrected residents are:

 

“Hamburger” Gene McInturff – The first hamburger vendor in the state.

Captain John M. Hedrick – One of the first Sheriffs in Hutchinson.

Alexander Forsha – One of the big business men in early Reno County.

Dr. David B. McKee – Hutchinson’s first Physician.

Anna Eatock – A poor lonely woman left to the poor farm by her husband.

Edna Grimes Blake – Daughter of Jacob C. Grimes, owner of a mad stone that cured hundreds of people from around the country in Reno County.

 

Auditions will be held from 10am – 2pm Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Stage 9. Interested actors who cannot attend the auditions during these times, please contact Producing Artistic Director Charles Johnston for alternate arrangements. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script provided at the auditions. All interested actors should bring their schedules and conflicts to let the director know when they are available to rehearse. If actors have previous acting experience, they may choose to bring a headshot, resume and/or experiences to share with the director.

 

Talking Tombstones will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Eastside Cemetery, located across from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility on Severance Street. The two walking tours will take place at 5:30 p.m. and at 8:00 p.m. with each tour featuring all six of the characters listed above.  Patrons are requested to check in with Stage 9 representatives 10 to 15 minutes in advance of both the 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. performance.

 

Talking Tombstones is a partnership with several local organizations. The characters in the fundraiser are researched by former Reno County Genealogical Society member Rita Lingg throughout the year.  Charles Johnston, Joshua Hall and Peggy Livingston, the directors of the event, utilize the information researched to write scripts, audition actors, and assist in preparing their performances.

 

A cast list will be posted online, on Facebook and at Stage 9 on Wednesday, September 13, no later than 12 noon. Rehearsal will commence shortly after auditions, at a time and place to be announced. If you have any questions, please contact Charles Johnston, Producing Artistic Director at Stage 9 via email at [email protected] or phone at 646-628-4353. Stage 9 is located at 9 S. Main in downtown Hutchinson.

 

Tickets are $20 for general admission to the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at stage9hutch.com as well as at Apron Strings, located at the intersection of Sherman and Main Street in downtown Hutchinson. Patrons may also purchase tickets at the mausoleum thirty minutes prior to a performance.

 

For additional information about the audition or upcoming Stage 9 events, please contact Stage 9 by email at [email protected] or by phone at 316-350-PLAY (7529).

 

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Stage 9’s mission is to excite minds, move hearts, and change lives through theatrical performance, arts education, and live entertainment in Hutchinson, Reno County, and south central Kansas.  A 501(c)3 organization, Stage 9 strives to produce quality entertainment and provide opportunities for artistic expression, specifically focused on ages 18 and up.  At home at 9 S. Main in downtown Hutchinson, Stage 9’s 2017 Season features Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by Rebecca Feldman, a musical comedy about an eclectic group of pubescent spellers, Neil Simon’s classic comedy The Odd Couple (Female Version) pitting polar opposite roommates, a staged reading of The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman that examines the tragedy of the murder of Matthew Shepard, the groundbreaking musical Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz, a loose retelling of the Gospel story,  Stage 9’s haunting annual fundraiser Talking Tombstones, and the romantic tales of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine.

 

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