German playwright Bertolt Brecht ranks among the most innovative, most effective, and most popular theater artists of the 20th Century. He was also one of the most entertaining, creating theater based on the idea that audiences will not pay attention to social issues if they are not entertained. To this end, he brought music and humor into his plays about injustice, and often set his work in imaginary ancient times and places while talking about very contemporary issues.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle takes place in ancient Georgia — that’s Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains, between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The story is a love story between a simple kitchen maid and a soldier, and it is also the story of an unlikely and incorrigible judge. When a revolution takes place in the city, the Governor and his wife abandon their baby as they flee. The kitchen maid, Grusha, sees the abandoned child and, unable to leave it to die, takes it with her to find it a home. As she runs, she is pursued by the revolutionary guards, the Ironshirts, and little by little, Grusha and the child bond. By the time she is caught, she has become the child’s mother — but that bond will be challenged by the Governor’s wife, restored to power and seeking to have the child she abandoned returned to her. The case goes to court and lands in the hands of a Azdak, a judge whose ethics are feared by both sides in the case. The story is laced through with high drama, exciting music, and some very funny characters. It will be told by an ensemble of actors, many in masks.
Instructional language for students on what to prepare and expect from the audition
For the Chalk Circle auditions in January: We will be auditioning everyone for both singing and acting. Magda Sharff, the music director, will start with the music audition by teaching all of the auditioners a song from the show. The music is exciting and based loosely on musical motifs from the Balkans. The musicians will also be part of the ensemble, often moving with the actors through the scenes. The acting audition will follow, run by director Eric Bass. It will take the form of an ensemble exercise. Each auditioner, upon entering, will be given one line of text, about 10 words, to use in the exercise. Additionally, it would be helpful if you could also learn the 7 lines of text below: If you cannot learn them all, try to learn at least part of this text.
Hearing this, she went back for one last look
At the child. Just to stay with him
For a few moments until someone should come—
His mother perhaps or someone else—
Until she should have to go, for the danger was too great, the city was full
Of flames and lamentation.
Terrible is the temptation to do good!