Egg Harbor Township High School
Drama Club
24 High School Drive
EHT, NJ 08234
609-653-0100, VM 5263
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 – INFORMATION MEETING FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
7 PM to 8 PM in the THEATRE
ALL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THIS ACTIVITY MUST ATTEND.
Whodunit? Everyone loves a great murder mystery and this year, we intend to produce some of the best and
most well known: The Agatha Christie Murder Mysteries!
This packet is designed for you to make the most out of your drama club and stage experiences. Whether you
are an experienced actor, a new student to theater, or interested in stage crew, scenic design, tech crew, or
properties and costumes, we have a place for you in this club and our production.
For this production we are looking for a cast who can work really well together and work hard at learning the
show quickly. Look at the attached list of characters and the calendar. This is a major time commitment. Think
very seriously about your ability to fulfill the requirements. We are producing 4 full length plays and 1 one-act
in the same set on 1 weekend. This is ambitious; and we have done it before. We know what we are doing; do
what we tell you to do. This is an educational experience for you; learn and grow in your craft.
This is our idea performance schedule:
Thursday evening: December 4, 2014 6:30 pm Miss Marple’s A Murder is Announced
Friday evening: December 5, 2014 6:30 pm The Rats (1 Act); 7 pm The Mousetrap
Saturday evening: December 6, 2014 Dinner for the Public at 5 pm; The Rats (1 Act); 7 pm And Then There
Were None; Cast Party TBA
Sunday afternoon: December 7, 2014 1:30 pm Hercule Poirot’s Black Coffee; Costume Collection and Set Strike
If we do not find an actor who can play Agatha Christie’s two famous detectives Marple or Poirot convincingly,
we will substitute with the plays Spider’s Web and The Unexpected Guest. Of course, it would be easiest (and
least expensive) for us to produce only Christie’s The Mousetrap and And Then There Were None, but then,
we’d have fewer opportunities for you as actors or stage-tech students to learn more of this craft.
About the texts: These are authentic plays that have beautiful film versions, or have been produced by
professional companies over the last 80 years. We are looking to create our own single setting for them: An
English Country House’s living room. The text is important as written, but we can make slight changes in a
character’s gender and will certainly clean up colorful language and expletives that are not needed for the
plays. Please understand that in a murder mystery, people do get killed for various motives. Bad language and
gore are not necessary to accomplish this.
Over the past 17 years our reputation for producing new and challenging works for high school has ranked us
among the top high school co-curricular drama clubs in the state. We enjoy a luxury and freedom of creativity
that few high schools are privileged to have.
With this privilege comes responsibility. Professional-like productions demand hard work and dedication
from everyone- actors, crew, directors/advisors, and parents. Everyone must contribute to the creation of
the production. You are required to pay the Egg Harbor Township Student Activity Fee $100.00 . If you do
not, you will be removed from the activity; this is for actors and stage-tech crew. Additionally, you are to
participate in all fund raisers; this is for all actors and stage-tech crew.
Please DO NOT “Bounce” checks on the FOTTS or Drama Club – we are all here to support the students’
production; pay cash or make payments if funds are not available at once.
Be aware that we will not tolerate students missing rehearsals or misbehavior during rehearsals. We expect
you to behave like a young adult, not a child, and are operating on the 3 strike rule for attendance. When you
are at rehearsal, you are expected to follow all school and state rules. You may not leave rehearsal or in any
way interfere with another person’s rehearsal or their private property while at rehearsal. If this were to
happen, you will be removed from the production. Drama is for the stage, not the dressing rooms or back
stage. Mind your own business and do not interfere with or offend any other student, volunteer or faculty
member.
Follow the calendar. You must be on time. You must provide your own transportation to and from rehearsal.
The school district supplies a 5:30 pm bus. Use it; we cannot wait for you to be picked up after hours; we all
have other responsibilities and duties after our rehearsals are finished. Go home and do your homework. You
must be academically eligible. Any infractions of attendance or behavior will result in your removal from the
production.
All actors should be at every audition day. All tech-crew should be at the auditions too, to start learning the
theater and the plays. Note to Stage-Tech: I would like the stage set up and light on for auditions. This is a
team effort; everyone needs to buy-in, believe in and promote this production.
Additionally, we will be in theatre for every rehearsal. NO FOOD OR DRINK EVER in the theatre; eat before
rehearsal in the commons area.
We demand greatness from each of you, and we deliver to our audience great performances.
Thank you for your interest in our production. Break a leg!
Mr. Matthew Guenther, Director-Advisor
Mrs. Nancy Portnoy, Assistant Director – Advisor
Mr. Lee Buhrman, Stage / Tech Crew Advisor
Agatha Christie
Circle Audition Day: 1 2
3 4 Call Back
Audition Form
Directions: Fill out SIX copies of this form for each day you audition.
Hand them in at your audition. Print neatly and use blue/black pen.
Name ___________________________________________________
Grade _________________
TEACHER REFERENCE NAME AND ROOM # ______________________________________________
Parts you want to read ______________________________________________________________________
What is your DREAM PART from the Cast Lists? ___________________________________________________
WOULD YOU PLAY A MALE PART IF IT IS OFFERED TO YOU?
YES
NO
WHAT ACTIVITIES CONFLICT WITH THE REHEARSAL CALENDAR? LIST ACTIVITIES AND DATES HERE:
1.
2.
3.
Please leave blank for our use. Thank you.
Voice:
Projection
weak
good
strong
Pitch / Tone
high
mid range
low
older
mid age
young
Physical Appearance:
Younger /Older
Hair Color and length ___________________________
Height/Size
tall
Character Acting Ability:
Timing
Understanding of Text
Chemistry with others
Preparation for readings:
Suitability for part:
mid
short
Ethnic Look _________________________
thin
good build
full-figured
This is due on your first audition
day, Sept 16, 2014 from cast and
EHTHS Drama Club and Stage-Tech Crew
crew.
Membership Form 2014
You must turn it completed.
PRINT ALL INFORMATION IN INK!
No paper + No INFO = NO PART. No
kidding.
Name ___________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________________________________________
E-mail _____________________________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Name _______________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone ___________________________________________________________________
E-mail _______________________________________________________________________
Areas of Interest (please circle):
Acting
Back stage
Circle: T shirt size: S M L XL XXL
Notes: ________________________________________
Note: Everyone does a little of everything. The Drama Club is Student Centered and Student Focused. The Directors,
Advisors, and Booster Club are here to insure your success and education in the Dramatic Arts.
THIS YEAR, WE WILL NOT COLLECT THE DUES, AS YOU HAVE TO “PAY TO PLAY” FOR THIS ACTIVITY.
WE WILL REQUIRE YOU – CAST AND STAGE-TECH CREW - TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FUND RAISERS.
Fund Raiser money goes to pay for the following: scripts, royalties, set drops, props, costumes, Show T-Shirt, copy
paper, and Saturday lunches for cast and crew.
Please give your membership form to Mr. Guenther on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.
“I have read and understand the contents of this packet, attendance and audition information, requirements
and responsibilities for actors and stage-tech crew. I agree to all sections of this audition and information
packet.”
Student’s Signature ______________________________________ Date ____________________
“I have read and understand the requirements and responsibilities of my son / daughter for Drama Club,
Stage-Tech Crew and the Production.”
Parent / Guardian’s Signature ______________________________ Date ____________________
Egg Harbor Township High School Drama Club
Playbill Advertisement / Family Patron
Agatha Christie Murder Mysteries
DECEMBER 4, 5, 6, 7, 2014 – Th. Fr. Sat. Curtain at 6:30 pm
Sat. dinner 5 pm for the audience (price includes dinner and show with reserved seating)
Sunday Matinee at 1:30 pm
Please Print All information
Business’ Name/ Person’s Name _______________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number ____________________________________________________________________
Contact Person ______________________________________________________________________
Please refer any questions to Mr. Guenther at E.H.T.H.S. (609) 653-0100, VM 5263
Please return your text to the person who solicited your participation: ________________________________
Sample Advertisement Size
CIRCLE ONE
Method of Payment
Full Page
$50.00
Cash ________________
½ Page
$30.00
Check _______________
¼ page
$20.00
Additional set up $10
(make checks payable to EHTHS Friends of the Theatre Society)
Do Not staple checks or cash to this page please! Use paper clips. DO NOT FOLD!
Please attach pre-designed business advertisement or family patron page to this form with a
paper clip. All pre-designed pages must be photo ready (grey scale) and in black ink (no
colored ink). Please type – no hand drawn – hand written materials. Less is More!
We can design you full page or ½ page ad / patron for you for an additional $10.
Please supply material. Design choice is limited due to time constraints.
¼ page business card. Please supply card. We cannot make changes to your business card.
ALL ORDERS AND MONEY ARE DUE BY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014.
No Late Pages will be included in the book.
Drama Club
Agatha Christie Murder Mysteries
December 4, 5, 6, 7, 2014
MESSAGE PATRONS $5.00 each …. 1 Line Maximum
1.____________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________
6.____________________________________________________
7.____________________________________________________
8.____________________________________________________
9.____________________________________________________
10.___________________________________________________
NAME PATRON $1.00 Each
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Please PRINT all messages and names.
Payment is due with message and name.
Please be sure to spell your messages correctly.
Thank you.
READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS: THANK YOU! Keep 1 copy for yourself.
Rehearsals start on time and end on time. We start right after school (with few exceptions) and end before the
last bus run of the day. There are busses. Use them. We cannot wait around all night for you to be picked up
after rehearsals are over. Saturdays you must have your own transportation. You have a calendar – read it.
Post it on your refrigerator at home; put it into your phone.
Emergency excusal from rehearsals must be made before rehearsal starts.
Students and parents must e-mail Mr. Guenther at school guenthem@eht.k12.nj.us or call his school voice
mail 609-653-0100 VM 5263 (speak / write clearly and identify yourself). You are expected to be on time.
Pre arranged excuses are: College Auditions, All South/All State, Sport Games (not practices), School Trips,
SAT’s. We suggest you take your SAT in October or November – NOT DECEMBER. HS Club meetings are
excused – BUT if you are involved in 4 other clubs, and do not make rehearsals on time, you are holding up
your production; think about your commitments. You are responsible to tell Mr. Guenther in writing before
these events.
Illness / Absence from School – must be documented. You cannot come to practice if you have no medical
excuse / driver’s license note, or if you were at afterschool or Saturday Detention.
Three Strike Rule: You will be given 3 unexcused absences. After your 3rd unexcused absence, you will be
removed from the production. Excused absences are outlined above.
Should you miss too many rehearsals (yes, both excused and unexcused), so that progress on the production is
hindered or another student has repeatedly filled-in your part, you will be dismissed from the production.
Speaking Parts will be understudied. Understudies are expected to be ready to take over the part at the
director’s call. Understudies may share parts with the original cast member at the director’s call (due to
attendance or other circumstances, such as abilities / motivation / reward for excellent work).
After the NJEA Convention in November, you must attend every rehearsal on the calendar. Speak with Mr.
Guenther should this be a concern.
Misconduct, theft, bullying, rude and poor behaviors directed to faculty, volunteers, cast and crew or any
back-stage drama is NOT acceptable and will result is school administrative referrals, removal from the
production, and all possible loss of privileges – including future productions, scholarships, and field trip
opportunities.
We would strongly suggest that you NOT audition, if you cannot make this commitment.
Student Signature ___________________________ DATE _________________
Parent / Guardian Signature _________________________ DATE _____________
Agatha Christie Murder Mysteries CAST OF CHARACTERS –
Look at the various
characters and the
different text cuttings
provided for your
audition.
A Murder Is Announced
Julia Simmon – pretty, intelligent niece to Mrs B, sister to Patrick
*Letitia Blacklock – older woman, aunt to JS, PS, PH, wears pearls
Dora Bunner – LB’s best friend and only contact to the past; slow witted
Patrick Simmons – handsome, intelligent, nephew to Mrs B, brother to Julia
Mitzi – foreign maid/ cook, refugee from Eastern Europe, screams & talks a lot
*Miss Marple – old spinster, intelligent, brave, knows everything about people
Phillipa Haymes – attractive, single mother, niece to Mrs B
Mrs Swettenham – older woman, mother to Ed, neighbor to Mrs B
Edmund Swettenham – handsome, malcontent, communist and writer
Rudi Scherz – stranger who is perhaps a thief, but gets murdered
Inspector Craddock – mature man who solves the case with Miss Marple
Sergeant Mellors – does what he can as the local constable
The Mousetrap
*Mollie Ralston – young intelligent woman, wife to GR, screams
Giles Ralston –young intelligent man, husband to MR, strong and determined
Christopher Wren – young good looking but emotionally troubled man
Mrs Boyle – older woman, retired professional, pushing and demanding
Major Metcalf – good looking, retired military, very proper and sure of himself
Miss Casewell – young, not necessarily pretty, dances and is strong willed
Mr Paravicini – a stranger with an Italian accent- looks foreign and slick /oily
*Detective Sergeant Trotter – young and handsome policeman, skies
And Then There Were None
Rogers – middle aged butler and houseman, not happy with work
Mrs Rogers – wife to R, middle aged maid and cook, not happy with work
Fred Narracott – middle aged man, boat man to the island, walk-on part
*Vera Claythorne – attractive young professional woman, screams
*Philip Lombard – attractive young professional man, brave and strong
Anthony Marston – young man with few scruples or values, playboy type
William Blore – mature man, good looking, intelligent
General MacKenzie – retired military, revisits his past often
Emily Brent – very religious and reflective mature woman, wears funeral blacks
*Sir Lawrence Wargrave – retired judge of English court, intelligent and a leader
Dr. Armstrong – mature man, nervous condition and member of AA
Black Coffee
Treadwell – the butler, mature man
*Lucia Amory – attractive and intelligent, 2nd wife to Richard, not necessarily from England
Miss Caroline Amory – mature woman, not necessarily pretty, sister to Claud
*Richard Amory – younger man, Claud’s son
Barbara Amory – younger woman, niece to Claud
Edward Raynor – mature man, Claud’s secretary, devoted to him and his work
Dr. Carelli – an Italian businessman with lots of money and power
Sir Claud Amory – mature man, scientist and important man, husband of Lucia
Dr. Graham – mature man, medical doctor to Claud and family
Captain Arthur Hastings – mature man, Poirot’s best friend, ready to charge ahead and easily falls in love
*Hercule Poirot – Belgian private detective
Inspector Japp – mature man, Scotland Yard
Johnson – local constable, young good looking man
The Rats
Sandra Grey – stunningly attractive woman, 2nd marriage, very intelligent, having an affair with David
Jennifer Brice – friend of Sandra’s and the Torrances, feeds the pet budgie Bird, catches Sandra in her affair with David
David Forrester – very handsome and professional man, affair with Sandra, political aspirations
Alec Hanbury – good looking dandy type: full tuxedo , hat, walking stick, friend and confident of Sandra’s first husband
Alternative Plays:
Spider’s Web
Sir Rowland Delahaye – handsome mature man, friend of the family
Hugo Birch – young handsome man, friend of the family
Jeremy Warrender – young handsome man, friend of the family
Clarissa Hailsham-Brown – lady of the house, young 2nd wife of Henry
Pippa Hailsham-Browm – child, step daughter of Clarissa
Mildred Peake – mature woman, not a fan of Clarissa’s
Elgin – the mature butler of the house
Oliver Costello – a young man who has information to find and sell
Henry Hailsham-Brown – a politician and important person
Inspector Lord – solves the crime, methodical and detail oriented
Constable Jones – local policeman
The Unexpected Guest
Richard Warwick – mature man, in a wheel chair, dead
Laura Warwick – his attractive wife, says she killed him
Michael Starkwedder – young attractive man, had car trouble, helps Laura
Miss Bennett – mature woman, lives in the house, aid to Jan and family
Jan Warwick – younger than Henry, mentally unstable brother of Henry
Mrs. Warwick – mother of Richard, older woman, hard of hearing
Henry Angell – manservant to Richard
Sergeant Cadwallader – helps solve the case
Inspector Thomas – tries to solve the case
Julian Farrar – young and attractive man, may be interested in Laura
Drama Club and Stage-Tech Crew Media Release Form
Student Name _____________________________________________
Grade _______________________________________
“I agree to allow my picture and video tape of my performance to be used to promote the EHTHS Drama Club
production on the EHTHS Web Site, EHT-TV, EHTHS Yearbook and Newspaper, the Current, and any other
publication that promotes our club production.”
1.
YES
______________________________________________________
Signature Student
________________________________________________________________________
Signature Parent / Guardian
2.
NO
________________________________________________________
Signature Student
_________________________________________________________________________
Signature Parent / Guardian
By signing NO, you indicate that you understand you will not be included in any photographs or videos of the
production, which may affect your visibility on stage for the production.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Drama Club and Stage-Tech Crew Student / Parent Contact Information
Emergency Contact
Student Name _____________________________________________________________________________
Email ____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Name _____________________________________________________________________
Parent Email _______________________________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________________________________________________________________
Best Time to contact you for Drama Club News and Necessities: ______________________________________
This page must be returned to Mr. GUENTHER BY SEPTEMBER 16, 2014.
No form? No part, no work, no production.