Auditions to open for musical, "Oklahoma!"

Wheatland Theatre Co. will hold auditions for its summer musical “Oklahoma!” on Saturday, February 3, at 1:30 p.m. at Davenport Middle School. Those auditioning will learn excerpts of music and choreography from the show. No preparation is required. Auditions are open to adults and high school students.

Rehearsals for the production will begin twice a week in May, increasing in frequency in June, in preparation for six performances, July 20-29. All rehearsals and performances will take place in Davenport. Mileage reimbursement is available for cast members commuting from other areas of Lincoln County.

“Oklahoma!” is the third production of the theatre’s guest artist program, which brings professional theater artists from around the country to Lincoln County to work alongside and mentor local volunteers. The production will be helmed by Boston-area director Lee Mikeska Gardner, artistic director of The Nora Theatre Company. Suzanne Ostersmith, director of the dance program at Gonzaga University, will choreograph. The production team also includes a diverse range of artists from Lincoln County, Spokane and New York City, to be announced soon.

Auditions are being held several months before rehearsals start to allow the company to cast local community members before determining which roles to fill with two professional actors, who will be cast from auditions in New York City.

Available roles include seven principal characters (Laurie, Curly, Jud, Ado Annie, Will Parker, Aunt Eller, and Ali Hakim), several smaller featured roles and a large ensemble, providing opportunities for all experience levels, including beginners.

“In recent years, we’ve had to hold auditions in Spokane, because we haven’t had enough local people show up—especially men,” explained artistic director Karen Brewster. “We’d like to see as many local faces at the auditions as possible. This is a great opportunity to have fun, meet new people, perform onstage and learn from our visiting guest artists.”

Those interested in auditioning can sign up at WheatlandTheatre.org or by leaving a message at 509-721-0285.

Wheatland Theatre Company is a community theater company and Lincoln County’s only nonprofit producing arts organization. The company has mounted 17 productions since 2008. Drew Kowalkowski is the managing director and Karen Brewster is the artistic director.