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SALISBURY, MD---The revolutionary Broadway musical 1776, which dramatizes the provocative and often stirring debates culminating in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, will be presented by the Bobbi Biron Theatre Program at Salisbury University.  Although rehearsals for 1776 will not begin until late January for production in March, auditions will be held beginning at 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, December 10- 11, in the Black Box Theatre of Fulton Hall.

Dr. T. Paul Pfeiffer, ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõdirector of theatre, has issued an open invitation for actors/singers from the area to join ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõstudents in auditioning for the production.

"The play requires at least 28 men of varying ages, most of whom must have good singing abilities,” said Pfeiffer.  “As these men of the Continental Congress carry much of the music, a strong male chorus must be assembled.  We want to encourage the community to join us.  Our policy has always been open, giving preference to students only when a student and a community actor are equally matched.  But our choice of 1776 does ask for a variety in ages and physical builds. To meet these needs we want to encourage the community to audition."

There are only two women's roles in the play, that of Thomas Jefferson's young wife, Martha, and the somewhat older wife of John Adams, Abigail.

1776 is directed by Martha Pfeiffer, whose past work with the ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒõTheatre has drawn on her talents as director, choreographer and actress.  She most recently choreographed Best Little Whorehouse in Texas for the University and Hello, Dolly! for the Community Players.  With a master's degree in early American history from SU, and a teacher in the Wicomico County school system for 14 years, Mrs. Pfeiffer will also call upon her expertise as an historian to dramatize 1776.  No stranger to the musical interpretation of those stirring events, she was one of two professional historians consulted for the Tony Award-wining Broadway revival of 1776, which featured Brent Spiner. 

Actors interested in auditioning for 1776 are asked to prepare one to one-half minutes of a song, which will demonstrate an ability to sing with feeling. Professional accompaniment will be provided.  For further information, please contact Paul Pfeiffer at 410-543-6235 or tppfeiffer@salisbury.edu.