The Marion Art Center (the MAC) Theater announces open auditions for the 2023 production of The Importance of Being Earnest; A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. This Oscar Wilde classic features protagonists that maintain fictitious personas to escape their social obligations. Wilde’s hilarious farce satirizes the hypocrisy of social order and the carelessness with which people treat marriage, family and friendship; this subversive story will appeal to a wide range of malcontents and ne’er-do-wells.

Only fully vaccinated actors will be considered for roles. Auditions will be held in the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater on Sunday, December 11, 11:00am-1:00pm and Monday, December 12, 7:00-9:00pm. The MAC is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, MA. A total of eight performance dates are scheduled: March 10-12, 17-19, 24-25, 2023. Some dates may be subject to change. Evening shows begin at 7:30pm while Sunday matinees begin at 2:00pm.

Auditions will be from the script, and actors should contact the director for a copy of the sides pertinent to the role you are seeking. Anyone interested who cannot make it to audition on these dates may also contact the director to request an alternative time. For contact information and to view the announcement online, visit marionartcenter.org/auditions. Ages and genders are flexible, at the discretion of the director and depending on the final ensemble. All races, colors, sizes, genders, gender-identities and experience levels welcome! English accents are welcome but the director can coach anyone who needs help.

Available roles include: John Worthing – Male, also called Jack – masquerading as Ernest (probably late 20s – early 30s). Serious when he needs to be and not when not; Algernon Moncrieff – Male, friend of John/Jack/Earnest and Gwendolyn’s cousin (probably late 20s – early 30s) Never serious because he never needs to be. He thinks; Gwendolyn Fairfax – Female, Algernon’s cousin and courted by Ernest, she thinks (early 20s). Very flirtatious with Ernest and dismissive of her mother; Miss Prism – Female, Governess for Cecily (50s and up). Confused and confusing but in a serious way; Cecily Cardew – Female, Jack’s ward (late teens to early 20s).  A mind of her own that is frequently trying to escape Miss Prism’s tutelage; Rev. Canon Chasuble – Male, rector on the Worthing Estate (50s and up). Confused and confusing but in a serious way.
Merriman – Male or Female, Algernon’s servant (any age). Great role for anyone interested in theater; Lane – Male or Female, servant at the Worthing Estate (any age). Great role for anyone interested in theater.

Participate in the MAC’s first Exhibition of 2023

(Marion, MA) – The Marion Art Center (the MAC) is calling for entries for its first gallery show of the 2023 season, the Winter Members’ Show. The show runs January 6-February 10, 2023, with an opening reception scheduled on Saturday, January 14 from 3:00-5:00pm. All MAC members are invited to enter up to two pieces each. All works must be original, must have been executed by the artist within the last five years, and must not have been previously shown at the Marion Art Center. The MAC will not exhibit works that are in poor condition (including frame) or are not properly prepared for installation. 

To exhibit, members should drop off artwork to the MAC at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion, MA on Tuesday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 4 between 12:00am-4:00pm each day. Artists can downloaded the contract ahead of time and submit images for marketing purposes online at marionartcenter.org/on-exhibit. Please note the MAC will close for the season on Saturday, December 17, and office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3. Please send all questions to [email protected] no later than Friday, December 16. Interested in participating but not a MAC member? Joining is easy online at marionartcenter.org/join.