The Vermont Theatre Company presents DUMB.soprano, an evening of two one-act absurdist plays, Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter, and Eugene Ionesco's The Bald Soprano.  Show dates are January 19-22, 2012, at the Hooker-Dunham Theater in Brattleboro.

In The Bald Soprano, Ionesco's first play, two eccentric couples spending a quiet evening together are interrupted by an obstinate maid and a story-telling fire chief which sends the play spinning hilariously down an Alice-like rabbit hole into a series of absurd hijinks and non-sequiturs which bear no resemblance to normal conversation.  VTC’s production, directed by Sam Murphy, features Jonny Mack, Nancy Groff, Ran3dy Bright, Michelle Page, Kirsten Schrull, and Daniel Mitnik.

In The Dumb Waiter, one of Pinter’s very best short plays, two hit men wait for orders for their next job in a claustrophobic, unused basement kitchen.  The tension mounts when a dumbwaiter in the room mysteriously begins to bring the men a variety of prepared meals.  As the dishes become more and more exotic and mysterious, the two men’s inner fears and personality differences push them back and forth between absurd hilarity and unbearable tension.  VTC’s production, directed by Ben Stockman, features Eric Walther and James Gelter as the hit men.

Performances of DUMB.soprano are at 7:30 on January 19, 20, and 21, at the Hooker Dunham Theater, Main Street, Brattleboro.  Admission is $12, $10 for students and seniors.  For reservations, 802-258-1344 and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Auditions for Henry V, Shakespeare's best-known history play and VTC's 23rd Annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park production, will be held on Monday, January 9, at 6:30.  Jessica Callahan is the director and performances will be June 22 through July 1, 2012, in Brattleboro's Living Memorial Park.

Contact the director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information on location and if you are interested but can't attend the audition. 

For the first part of the audition, fight choreographer Jodi Clark and fight coach Ian Bigelow will teach a basic stage combat combination to everyone. Auditioners should wear clothing that does not constrict movement.  All men, women, and children at the audition will be asked to participate in this activity.

If you would like a speaking role, please come prepared with a classical monologue between 12 and 20 lines, or one of Shakespeare's sonnets.  Your piece should be memorized. For the second part of the audition your memorized selections will be work-shopped with the director. Casting will be "gender-blind," so do not hesitate to pick cross-gender material for your audition, if you are so inspired.
Henry V is a play about a monarch both coming of age and learning how to be a king.  In the end, the story is about Henry's love for his people and his country. The story jumps between England and France - two countries, two languages, and two kings vying for the French throne.
All roles are available! The play is filled with meaty parts for supporting actors - many of whom embody different aspects and parts of the two countries King Henry is coming to love dearly.   If you are interested in Shakespeare, but not ready for a large speaking role, there are plenty of smaller parts for musicians, guards, princes, and soldiers.  

For the first part of the audition, fight choreographer Jodi Clark and fight coach Ian Bigelow will teach a basic stage combat combination to everyone. Auditioners should wear clothing that does not constrict movement.  All men, women, and children at the audition will be asked to participate in this activity.

We hope you can make it out to the auditions!