SEQUIM — The next series in Olympic Theatre Arts Center’s staged radio play season features the classic detective, Sherlock Holmes, through the ages.
Auditions will be conducted in person in OTA’s Main Stage and Gathering Hall, at 414 N. Sequim Ave., at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.
With scripts adapted by Steve Rodeman from the original stories, OTA’s newest director, David Bristow, is looking for actors to portray the classic roles across several time periods, from early in their career to stories set later when Holmes and Dr. John Watson are semi-retired, said Pete Griffin, PTA marketing and image manager, in a press release.
Supporting characters in these stories cross a wide range of ages and backgrounds, so actors can look forward to exploring a diverse range of character development, Griffin said.
Auditioners with diverse cultural backgrounds and dialects are especially welcome, he added. Bristow is expecting to have a separate cast for each show to broaden participation and opportunities.
Three to six shows are planned in total. Opening dates are to be determined, but with hopes set on May and June.
Participants in the auditions will wear masks at all times, maintain social distancing and follow a maximum occupancy limit of 22 participants in the Gathering Hall, where they will initially assemble. Scripts and audition forms will be provided on site.
OTA’s previous shows this season were videotaped and are available on OTA’s website at olympictheatrearts.org.
It is hoped that the Sherlock Holmes stories will be performed for a live audience, following active Washington State guidelines in the theatre at the time of the performances.
Rehearsals will be initially held via Zoom, then move to the stage as needs and restrictions allow.
The cast for the first show in the series will begin rehearsals the last week of March.
Casts for subsequent shows will rehearse thereafter in a staggered fashion to accommodate a steady “roll out” of more shows, Griffin said.