JOIN R TROUPE

The Humanitarian Players (“THP”) is a troupe of actors, singers, dancers, musicians, stage-crafters, artists, and administrators, working together to create a theatrical venue for local grassroot charities to do their fundraising and bring awareness of community needs. We primarily present an episodic western melodrama called Good Measures. The first episode is called Good Measures or The Lost Gold Mine of Avery Flatminor. We may also provide special entertainment for community festivities.

Good Measures is the name of a little town hidden somewhere in the Old West where people, some with musical names, still live in the 19th century (somewhat like The Beverly Hillbillies). However, the good folk of Good Measures remain hidden from the rest of the world because they don’t like change. Of course, these people are stock characters, hero, villain, heroine, femme fatale, etc.  As many know, stock characters never change; they are only affected by outside circumstances, so an unchanging habitat suits them perfectly. However, sometimes visitors come to their town—our audiences—which, of course, risks the potential for change. The decent residents of Good Measures happily welcome these rare visitors, show them warm hospitality, and then move them out as quickly as possible to reduce that risk. (Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?)

ACTORS/SINGERS, DANCERS, AND MUSICIANS

We look for versatile actors willing to fill the roles of 14 stock characters, as well as Old West extras like townsfolk and stage drivers, showgirls and showboys, all of whom have multiple functions including serving visitors and dancing the can-can.  Most character roles require singing, but we also have non-singer roles.

Once THP has its rehearsal space, first-time and beginner actors will be able to meet at weekly workshops to learn acting techniques and veteran actors can meet to work on lines and character development for THP’s or other roles they are performing in the the area.

There is a good chance you will win a role, and maybe the role you hope to gain, because we need several actors per role to always ensure someone is available to perform at any given event throughout the year.  This works in the best interest of veteran actors and musicians who enjoy performing with other local performing arts groups.

Actors take turns playing a major character and filling-in as extras. The stagecoach drivers—Whip, Charley, and Jehu will help the “stagers” (house staff) by ushering “travelers” (audience members) to their “stagecoaches” (tables) and assist with scene changes and intermission activities, all of which are done in character.  All players will engage in light interaction with audiences, also while in character.

As this series is comedic, it doesn’t matter the actor’s age, sex, or race, as we are all members of the human race. THP only presents stock character types: sweet and naïve, noble and heroic, evil and cunning, etc. You might be a 6-year-old girl who can convincingly play an adult, male villain. Or you might be an 80-year-old man who can convincingly play the sweet, young heroine. (Think about John Travolta in the role of an ordinary housewife in Hairspray.) Our can-can dancers, both male and female, come in all ages.

It isn’t the actor who looks the type, it’s the type the actor can portray.

One of the 14 stock characters is our piano/keyboard accompanist, “Sam the Piano Player” (male or female). We also have room for other musicians: drums, fiddle, and acoustic guitar or banjo, whom interact with the characters (and audience) musically. We need several instrumentalists to ensure availability at every event.

The 14 stock characters are as follows:

Sheriff J Bell, the credulous but courageous hero,
Miss Sweet Harmony Goodmeter, the pure-as-the-driven-snow heroine and Sheriff’s sweetheart,
Mr. Cornelius Sharp, the dastardly, dashing, debonair, and perfectly evil villain,
Miss Amaryllis O’Shea, the enchanting, femme fatale and Sonata Saloon entertainer (like Mae West),
Mayor WC Goodmeter, the father of Sweet Harmony, a raspy misanthropist (like WC Fields),
Granny Gospel Goodmeter, the scrappy, shrewd, meddling mother of WC (like “Granny” of the Clampetts)
Deputy Rock N Tune, the Sheriff’s resourceful, reliable, right hand man,
Miss Claire V Cord, the cagey, cantankerous custodian of the General Store,
Mr. JP Goldberg, the friendly, fastidious, financier of the town’s Bank,
Widow Chrissy Carroll, the flirtatious, loquacious President of the Ladies Circle,
Mr. Hurdy Gurdy, the pestiferous but amiable (alleged) “town drunk”,
Miss Rootin’ Tootin’ Annie, the smart, sharp-shootin’ cowgirl,
Mr. Avery Flatminor, a gullible, guileless, gold prospector,
Sam, the pianist, the “melo” of the “drama”,
“MC”, The Stagecoach Conductor, the show’s host.
We also have colorful extras onstage:
Whip, Charley, and Jehu, the stagecoach drivers (ushers and…stage hands, pun intended).
Showgirls and Showboys, servers and dancers, and
Townsfolk, (stage extras, and box-office and house workers).

Did we say 14 main characters when there are 15 listed above? That’s because Mr. Avery Flatminor and Miss Rootin’ Tootin’ Annie are played by the same actor. (This is a comedy.) As for singing, only two characters sing solos: the villain and the femme fatale. Four males (JP, Rock, WC, and Hurdy) sing in one barbershop quartet. Three females (Granny, Chrissy, and Cord) sing one close-harmony, boogie-woogie trio like the Andrew Sisters. The hero and heroine sing a duet. And there is one entire ensemble song, the town theme song “Good Measures.”

STAGECRAFTERS AND ARTISTS

THP can always use people to help with the following:

• costume design
• sewing
• set design and construction
• set painting
• caricature artistry
• lighting/sound tech
• photographs and videos
• directing and assistance
• stage management and assistance
• choreography

All costumes will be one-size-fits-many, with an almost cartoon feel of the 19th century. All sets will be light weight stand-alone flats, painted with cartoon buildings, and easily portable.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE

THP will need help with the record keeping, communication, and other administrative necessities.

To contact The Humanitarian Players, call 434-221-5113 or email thehumanitarianplayers@gmail.com.