Wanted: Traditional Folk Musician(s) to Accompany Live Radio Play

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

The Post-Meridian Radio Players (www.pmrp.org) is an audio theater troupe that performs live shows every Halloween. Tomes of Terror features a trio of plays performed in the style of the old time radio programs of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, complete with live sound effects and musical accompaniment. For more information on last year's show, please visit our website.

One of our plays this year is an adaptation of “The Ballad of Reynardine,” Athan Chilton's short story based on an English popular folk ballad. The short story can be found here. The director is looking for a musician or musicians to provide accompaniment and assist with music direction for the play.


·An interest in, or general knowledge of: English and Scottish popular ballads, sea chanteys and/or traditional folk songs
·The use of, and access to, period-appropriate instruments such as the flute, mandolin, guitar, harp, lute, banjo, tin whistle, dulcimer or fiddle. Other instruments, such as the piano, would be considered.
·Knowledge of the specific pieces desired for the play ("The Mountains High," "John Peel," “Reynardine”) -OR- The ability to read sheet music or tablature
·The ability to arrange and/or compose original pieces based on previously-recorded versions of these songs (For instance, Fairport Convention’s recording of “Reynardine”)
·Ability to "carry a tune in a bucket" so to speak, as some singing may be required or desired
·Ability to coach actors who may or may not have lots of experience singing for an audience
·Flexible availability for meetings with the director and other production staff
·Mandatory availability for tech/dress rehearsals and performances on October 19th, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 31st, Nov. 1st



·An opening theme, to which the actors process to the stage
·Musical motifs to accompany transitions from one scene to another
·Background or incidental music to provide atmosphere or accompany action sequences or deeply-emotional dialog
·A closing theme, to which actors exit the stage

In the case of this play, most of the above will be thematically based on the ballads featured in the show. Once again, they are “Reynardine” and “(The Melody to) John Peel.” The director will choose other period appropriate folk ballads and new arrangements may need to be created.


PMRP is a small community theater with a limited budget, so this is an UNPAID gig. Payment for musical services is usually rendered in the form of a free ad in our program, links on our website, and space to sell CDs or distribute promotional materials at our merchandise table.

Tomes of Terror III will be performed the evenings of Oct. 29th - Nov. 1st at the Unity Church near Davis Square.

If you're interested in this opportunity, or would like more information, please contact the director, Renée Johnson, at a.renee.johnson@gmail.com.

Comments

[ron_newman]

You've moved across the street?

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

PMRP's fall show will be taking place at Unity Church, yes.

Theatre@First has not really moved anywhere, but renovations on the church's stage are have caused some of our future productions to search for new locations.

Festival@First 5 (http://www.theatreatfirst.org) is still happening at First Church, this summer, though!

[audioboy.livejournal.com]

Yeah. First Church is renovating to accommodate their recent, rapid growth and space has been hard acquire there.

The folks at Unity Church are quite enthusiastic about supporting the local arts scene. We did almost all of our rehearsing for Tomes there last year and, along with the folks on secondshift, we've been recording some of our studio productions there.

theatreatfirst has also been doing a lot of rehearsing there, though the stage space is too small for most of their actual performances. It's just the right size for PMRP's, though.

[ron_newman]

Thanks. Once First Church has finished renovating, will theatre@first and PMRP be able to return there?

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

Well, there won't be a stage, anymore, but we've been getting creative with staging T@F shows without one, so I'd say we'll continue to work with them as their schedule allows.

PMRP will most likely continue working with Unity.

[ron_newman]

No more stage? Sorry to hear that. I guess I'll see what's going on when I go to next month's show.

[elements.livejournal.com]

I'll share this with the local contra dance community; lots of musicians who'd fit the bill.