"Kiss Me Kate" Auditions Being Held Soon

The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha’s Theatre Department announces auditions for KISS ME KATE, a musical based on William Shakespeare’s comedy, Taming of the Shrew with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. A play-within-a-play, with musical numbers including “Why Can't You Behave,” “So In Love Am I,” “Wunderbar,” “Tom, Dick or Harry,” “Were Thine That Special Face,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “I Hate Men,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion)” and “Another Op'nin, Another Show,” KISS ME KATE is fun, melodious and sophisticated.

Production crew includes director Steve Decker, musical directors Craig Hurst and Nancy Van Brunt, choreography Ryan Cappleman and two-time Tony award winning costume designer and guest artist, Franne Lee.

Auditions for the Lunt-Fontanne Ensemble production of KISS ME KATE will consist of one-half hour appointments and be held on the UW-Waukesha campus Sunday, May 18 and Monday, May 19. Actors are asked to prepare 16 bars of song to demonstrate their vocal skills and are asked to provide sheet music for the provided accompanist. Vocal selections from the show will be available in advance if actors would rather sing from the show. Callbacks for dance and readings from the script will take place the week of May 19. The rehearsal schedule takes place in the evenings three to four times each week and will commence the first week of June. There will be some planned days off around the Fourth of July holiday.

There are roles for a cast of 20-plus, male and female adults, all ages and types. There are also roles for four children/teens ranging from ages 8-13 needed for this production. Auditions are open to community members as well as UW-Waukesha students. Contact director and Associate Professor Steve Decker at 262-521-5209 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment to audition. 

KISS ME KATE will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, Saturday, July 19, Friday July 25, Saturday, July 26 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27 in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on the UW-Waukesha campus, 1500 N. University Drive, Waukesha. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 students and Senior Citizens, free to UW-Waukesha Students, for ticket information please call 262-521-5212.

 The UW-Waukesha Lunt-Fontanne Ensemble presents a wide variety of productions. As a college theatre program, education is the primary goal, and shows are produced in a variety of genres. 

UW-Waukesha

UW–Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 UW Colleges campuses. These freshman/sophomore campuses and UW Colleges Online comprise the UW Colleges. They offer an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs.

In addition, UW-Waukesha offers several collaborative bachelor’s degrees through UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh. Starting this fall, UW-Waukesha is offering the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree completion program, a bachelor’s degree that can be earned at UW-Waukesha in collaboration with UW-Parkside. The degree is conferred by UW Colleges. Classes are taught by faculty from both UW-Waukesha and UW-Parkside.

For information about programs, admission or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at 262-521-5040 or visit the Web at www.waukesha.uwc.edu. You can follow the campus on Facebook or Twitter.