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<P> THE GHENT PLAYHOUSE SEEKS
ACTORS FOR <B><I>EQUUS</B></I> </P>
<P>MARCH 30, Ghent, NY–The Ghent Playhouse is holding auditions for the haunting
drama <B><I>EQUUS </B></I>on April 4<SUP>th</SUP> and 5<SUP>th</SUP> at 7:30 pm
at the theater, with sign-in beginning at 7 pm. The last production of the
2004-2005 season and directed by playhouse artistic director Tom Detwiler,
<B><I>EQUUS</B></I> runs weekends May 20<SUP>th</SUP> through June
5<SUP>th</SUP>. <B><I></P></B></I>
<P>An emotionally powerful play, <B><I>EQUUS</B></I> explores an atrocious act
committed by a young man against several stabled horses, which sends him for a
court-mandated psychiatric evaluation. During the course of treatment, his
psychiatrist finds himself questioning his own beliefs and values. The drama
mixes present time scenes with flashbacks to explore the boy’s family, work,
religion, and sexual awakening–the chain of life-altering events that have
brought him to his current situation. While the subject matter could be
considered horrific, author Peter Shaffer uses compelling, detective-like
techniques as well as humorous situations to crack the teenager’s shell.
</P><B><I>
<P>EQUUS</B></I> offers roles for up to 14 actors, outlined below (please keep
in mind that the ages on many of the roles are flexible, so the director
encourages anyone interested to please feel free to audition).</P><I>
<P>MEN’S ROLES:</P></I>
<P>ALAN STRANG: Needs to come across as a young man in his late teens. Early
flashbacks call for portraying a six-year-old, and the actor also needs to be
able to express a wide range of emotions–from innocence to madness, naivete to
passion. </P>
<P>MARTIN DYSART. Age 40+, this is the role of the psychiatrist, who is
intelligent, highly educated, and well read. Works with probing precision but
becomes gradually filled with self-doubt and fear. </P>
<P>FRANK STRANG. Age 40+, he is Alan’s straight-laced, serious, strict
father.</P>
<P>HARRY DALTON. Age 40+, he is the owner of the stables.</P>
<P>NUGGET/HORSEMAN. Age late 20's through 30's. Appears as "Nugget," the lead
horse, and is ridden by Alan. As the Horseman, he has dialogue scenes.</P><I>
<P>WOMEN’S ROLES</I>:</P>
<P>HESTER SALOMON. Age 40+, she is the local magistrate, and a cordial business
friend of Dysart’s.</P>
<P>DORA STRANG. Age 40+, she is Alan’s mother. Her English reserve covers a well
of suppressed emotions that eventually explode.</P>
<P>JILL MASON. In her 20's, she introduces Alan to the stables where she is
employed, and becomes his friend and sexual tutor.</P><I>
<P>EITHER SEX ROLES:</P></I>
<P>NURSE. Age 20+, appears throughout as an officious, thorough hospital
employee.</P>
<P>HORSES. Up to five actors are needed to play stylized horses as well as other
supporting roles.</P>
<P>One of the region’s oldest and most popular non-equity theater troupes, The
Ghent Playhouse is located in the hamlet of Ghent, NY, just off Route 66, across
from the fire station,. For more information, call the box office at
518/392-6264 or cantact Tom Detwiler - tdetwiler@aol.com.</FONT><FONT
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