PSA – Fiddler on the Roof Junior Auditions New Artists Productions founders Dan and Anita Almich will be conducting auditions for their spring production, the musical Fiddler on the Roof Junior on Sunday and Monday, January 15 and 16, 2017 at the Sprague Community Theater. Auditions will be held from 1:30 – 4:00pm on January 15; 6:30 – 8:00 pm on January 16. Fiddler on the Roof is set in the small Jewish village of Anatevka, Russia, in 1905 and is concerned primarily with the efforts of Tevye, a dairyman, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters to cope with their harsh existence under Tsarist rule. The musical is part of the Broadway Junior Collection of plays designed especially for youth theater. Youth performers enrolled in grades 3 through 12 are eligible for parts in the play. The two main characters, Tevye and Hodel, have been pre-cast so that the directors could solidify the presentation of the play and, thus, secure the performance rights. It is important for those wishing to audition to bring their school and activity schedules to the audition as these involvements oftentimes impact the casting of the play. Auditions will consist of reading lines from the play script and singing to recorded music from the play. The selections “Far From the Home I Love,” “Matchmaker,” and “Anatevka” will be used to characterize vocal range and voice quality. Prior rehearsal to the audition music is not required. “At least 25 parts available for audition; but, there can be as many as 35 with additional villagers and choral members,” commented Anita Almich, who with her husband Dan will produce the play. “We are so excited to bring this wonderful musical to the stage. Fiddler on the Roof Junior combines the elements of Jewish folklore with those of the Broadway musical play. Our goal is to involve the audience in every aspect of the play; we want them to laugh, sing, empathize with the characters, share the tender moments, and wipe their tears at the end.” The cast of characters is diverse with specified roles for boys and girls; however several parts may be cast with either. Male speaking parts include Perchik, the student; Motel, the tailor; Lazar Wolf, the butcher; Mordcha, the innkeeper; the Rabbi and his son Mendel, the Constable, and Russian soldiers, some of which are speaking parts. The female speaking and singing roles include Tevye’s wife Golde, Tevye’s daughters Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze, and Bielke; Yente, the matchmaker; and villagers. Everyone involved in the play will be asked to participate in the group scenes or choral numbers. Fiddler on the Roof Junior will be presented over two weekends at the Sprague Community Theater on March 31, April 1 & 2 and April 7 – 9, 2017. For more information regarding auditions, please contact the Almichs at 541-347-2517.