The Understudies Production Company, Inc.
Keeping theatre in the community and the community in theatre!
The Understudies Production Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
About Us
"Drama began as the act of a whole community. Ideally, there would be no speculators. In practice, every member of the audience should feel like an understudy." ~ W.H. Auden
What we believe:
The Understudies Production Company, Inc. is committed to keeping theatre in the community and the community in theatre.
Putting our mission in to play:
The Understudies believes that theatre does more than entertain; it also inspires, transforms and unites communities.
Our Mission:
The Understudies strives to make theatre more engaging, more inclusive, and more accessible in Wilkes. Finding it both an honor and a privilege to give back to the community through its art, The Understudies often links arms with other non-profit and civic groups that are making a positive impact in the community.
Upcoming Productions & Events
AUDITIONS for "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus are set for September 10 (6 PM to 8 PM) and September 12 (10 AM to Noon).
Anyone interested in either an onstage, backstage, or technical role should plan to attend either or both sessions. (It is not required to attend both sessions.)
Auditions will be held at The Copper Daisy at 209 10th St. in North Wilkesboro.
Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. It is not necessary to prepare a monologue.
Performance Dates are December 10 - 13. All shows will be performed in Mayes Pit/Cohn Auditorium on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Thompson Hall.
STORY OF THE PLAY (based on a true story) “Dear Editor, is there a Santa Claus?” - a question innocently asked by eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon. Christmas was coming and all was right with the world … until her friends mischievously told her the “facts” about Old Saint Nick. To whom could she turn for the truth? Not her father, a doctor who is always fighting old world superstitions. Not her teacher, who is fed up with Christmas even before it has arrived. So Virginia writes a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. Her father always said, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Her letter falls into the hands of Francis P. Church, a veteran editorial writer who seeks to cut away at lies with his razor sharp wit. He knows there is no avoiding the question. He must answer, and answer truthfully. And so he begins his reply which was to become one of the most memorable and cherished editorials in newspaper history.
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CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHIEF: The editor of the New York Sun, a rather grandfatherly figure, the narrator.
PAPA O’HANLON: A man in his mid-thirties, amiable head of the family.
MAMA O’HANLON: A woman in her mid-thirties, loving and understanding.
VIRGINIA O’HANLON: An eight-year-old girl on a quest.
FRANK CHURCH: A crusading columnist in his forties.
MRS. MARBURY: Frank’s secretary, the backbone of the office.
MISSY: Virginia’s friend, something of a brat.
CHARLY: Virginia’s other female friend and Missy’s confederate.
MRS. MADISON: Missy’s mother, a large, friendly woman in her thirties.
LIGE: A no-nonsense, hardworking man.
FATHER MICHAEL: The ultimate Irish priest.
MRS. BIRCH: Virginia’s long suffering teacher.
TIME: Just before Christmas, 1897
PLACE: Church’s office and O’Hanlon’s dining room.
Written by Pat Cook and produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company
The Understudies welcomes all who have a passion for theatre and a love for our community to be part of our productions.
The Spotlight Organization for this production is Our House ~ Child Abuse Prevention Team. The Understudies is honored to share 20% of all ticket sales with Our House.
The Understudies is grateful for support from this production's Marquee Sponsor, InfusionPoints LLC.
Prefer to be in the audience?
TICKET LINK COMING SOON!
Theatre is created to entertain, but it also inspires, transforms, and unites communities. For that reason, The Understudies is committed to keeping theatre in the community and the community in theatre. Supporting local, non-profit organizations through our art is both an honor and a privilege for The Understudies. When you support our mission, you also are supporting other non-profit organizations in Wilkes that are working to make a positive impact in our community. Your donation will help The Understudies fund future productions, purchase essential equipment, and pay for operational expenses.
With your support, Theatre Works for Wilkes!
If you would like to learn how we can help your non-profit organization, please contact us!
If you're interested in performing or helping with other aspects of theatre such as set building and design, stage crew, tech, etc., please join our mission!
Do you have a venue that would be perfect for rehearsal space or live, theatre performances? Let us know!
Together we can transform the way we live, work, and play in Wilkes County one performance at a time!
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
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