July 2021
A Message from the Board President
The Penfield Players are excited to be planning for their return to the stage this fall with their production of “The Haunting of Hill House.”
With this show, the Penfield Players are venturing into the realm of the mysterious and the psychologically thrilling. “The Haunting of Hill House” is the story of a group of paranormal researchers who have decided to investigate the rumors that Hill House, a Victorian mansion, is haunted. The lead researcher, Dr. Montague, recruits two women with paranormal experience to help him. But his wife shows up, too, claiming to have special psychic powers of her own. Can they uncover Hill House’s secrets, or does Hill House have its own agenda?
The play is adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the acclaimed novel by Shirley Jackson. Jerry Argetsinger, who directed our highly successful production of “Peril on the High Seas,” will be our director for this show, too.
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A perfect show for the Halloween season, there will be six evening performances at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 30; and Nov. 5, 6, 12, and 13. We will also have a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are $14.00 each (advance sale). Groups of ten or more can purchase tickets for $12.00 each (advance sale). At the door, ticket prices are $17.00 each. Tickets will go on sale October 4. Call the box office at (585) 340-8655 for reservations, or stop by the Penfield Community Center at 1985 Baird Rd., Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As always, we will be offering seniors the opportunity to attend our last dress rehearsal, on Thursday, Oct. 28, for free.
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If you’re interested in auditioning, we are holding open auditions on August 23 and 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Penfield Community Center. There are more details on auditioning elsewhere in the newsletter.
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We are also seeking volunteers to help out at the performance as ushers, at the box office and concession stand, and even backstage. (As an incentive, volunteers get to the see the show for free!)
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For more information on the production, the senior performance, auditioning or volunteering, contact us at PenfieldPlayers@gmail.com or visit our Web site, PenfieldPlayers.org.
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The Penfield Players will be following all applicable COVID protocols in effect at the time of our events.
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The Penfield Players are pleased to announce auditions for their fall 2021 mainstage production, “The Haunting of Hill House,” adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson and directed by Jerry Argetsinger.
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Auditions are scheduled for August 23 and 24, 7-9 p.m., at the Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield, NY, in the Community Room.
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The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. Monologues are optional.
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Please bring a list of your conflicts over the rehearsal period as well as a resume and a headshot.
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Cast members are expected to be present for all performances, rehearsals, and load-in, load-out, and set build dates in this announcement.
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The rehearsal schedule will take actors’ and production team members’ availability into account as much as possible. Rehearsals and performances will take place at the Penfield Community Center.
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We will follow all applicable Covid protocols in effect at the time of the auditions and during production and performances.
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Please let us know if you plan to attend auditions by sending an e-mail to penfieldplayers@gmail.com so that we may keep you apprised of the Covid protocols that will be in effect at the time of the auditions.
The Penfield Players are committed to inclusive casting. We invite anyone who can play the roles specified to audition regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or gender identification.
​The “Haunting of Hill House” is a “chilling and mystifying study in mounting terror in which a small group of ‘psychically receptive’ people are brought together in Hill House, a brooding, mid-Victorian mansion known as a place of evil and ‘contained ill will.’ Led by the learned Dr. Montague, who is conducting research in supernatural phenomena, the visitors have come to probe the secrets of the old house and to draw forth the mysterious powers that it is alleged to possess—powers which have brought madness and death to those who have lived therein in the past.” – Dramatists Play Service
The characters for which we are casting are:
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Mrs. Dudley, Hill House housekeeper. A stern, uncommunicative, somber woman.
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Eleanor Vance, a Hill House guest with experience of the paranormal. Honestly curious. Attractive but plain. There is something fragile about her that grows throughout the play
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Theodora, another Hill house guest with ESP powers. Exotic, guided by mood and impulse, yet she can step in with a kind of authority.
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Dr. Montague, an academic researcher of the paranormal. He has assembled the Hill House guests. Possibly bearded. A professional who can get lost in his work.
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Mrs. Montague, the wife of Dr. Montague, she is a formidable woman, dominant and overpowering. She considers herself to be an authority on the paranormal, but without her husband’s training. She often moves to usurp his authority. Eccentric. A believer in the “spiritual.”
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Luke Sanderson, heir to Hill House. Well educated, but often empty minded.
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Arthur Parker, Mrs. Montague’s assistant. Inappropriately flaunts his place both in the laboratory and in the bedroom.
The production schedule is as follows:
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Rehearsals begin the week of Sept. 27.
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Tech week runs from Oct. 25-28, with load-in and set build on Oct. 23 and 24.
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Load-out is on Sunday, Nov. 14.
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“The Haunting of Hill House” has seven performances:
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Fri. and Sat., Oct. 29 and 30 at 8:00 p.m.
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Fri. and Sat., Nov. 5 and 6 at 8:00 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m.
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Fri. and Sat., Nov. 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m.
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We hope to see you in August!
Come Play with Us:
Audition for "The Haunting of Hill House"
Don Beechner in a scene from the Reader's Theatre production of "Red Herring."
We are Searching for a "Hill House" Producer
From L to R: Elizabeth Saunders, Lauren Shapow, Judie Clawson D'Ambrosio and Mike Tedone rehearsing for "Rexes Exes," the Penfield Players' last main stage production in 2019.
Yes, being a producer can sometimes feel like the photo on the left. It can also be very fulfilling and a lot of fun as you steer a show from casting to curtain calls. The Penfield Players are seeking a Producer for their fall 2021 mainstage production, “The Haunting of Hill House,” adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson. The play, which has a cast of seven (four women and three men) will be directed by Jerry Argetsinger. Steve Wegman will be our stage manager. Rehearsals and performances will take place at the Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield, NY. We offer a stipend of $150 to the producer.
Penfield Players productions are supported by our logistics team, our technical director, our publicity team, volunteers, and the Town of Penfield’s Department of Parks and Recreation. We will follow all applicable Covid protocols in effect at the time of production. We are expecting to select a producer by the end of July. If you’re interested or you have questions, please e-mail us at penfieldplayers@gmail.com.
The production schedule is as follows:
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Production meetings start in July.
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Auditions are scheduled for August 23 and 24 at the Penfield Community Center
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Rehearsals begin the week of Sept. 27. The rehearsal schedule will take actors’ and production team members’ availability into account as much as possible
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Load-in and set build on Oct. 23 and 24
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Tech week runs from Oct. 25-28, including a dress rehearsal on Oct. 28
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Load-out is on Sunday, Nov. 14.
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“The Haunting of Hill House” is scheduled for seven performances:
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Oct. 29 and 30 at 8:00 p.m.
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Nov. 5 and 6 at 8:00 p.m.; Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m.
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Nov. 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m.
Penfield Players Reunion Picnic on August
The Penfield Players will resume their annual summer picnics this year on Sunday, August 22, from noon to 3 p.m. at the shelter at Veterans’ Memorial Park in Penfield (3100 Atlantic Ave., Penfield, NY). You may bring your lunch, or we will be taking orders for lunches from a caterer. More information on that to follow. We will have a fun time seeing friends from past productions and meeting new folks involved in the Rochester community theatre scene, including those who enjoy attending our performances. There will be games to play, and we will announce or full 2021-2022 season. We will also be modeling our new polo shirts embroidered with the Penfield Players logo, and we’ll be taking orders should you want one, too. Jerry Argetsinger will preview “The Haunting of Hill House” for us. And, for the adventurous, we invite you to prepare a short (2-3 minute) reading of a scene from one of your favorite Penfield Players productions. Do it as a monologue or find a partner and be a part of the entertainment. Just let us know at penfieldplayers@gmail.com if you want to do this so we can include you in the program.