In Flaming Tree Grove, life appears to be picture-perfect. Security and privacy are coveted, and seclusion is its own reward. Until the day when little Ruby sets off to visit her grandmother at the end of the cul-de-sac and is never seen again. The neighborhood fractures into grief and suspicion in the search for answers. Then a parcel arrives on her parents’ doorstep…
Ruby Moon is a contemporary Australian play that explores the grim mythology of the missing child in Australian folklore. The play explores the prevailing fear of our times and looks at the nature of that unease that lurks in the world that we live in. Ruby Moon will be presented by Lindsay Street Players, the adult branch of YPT. Please note that Ruby Moon explores adult themes and requires intimacy between performers.
Due to the content of this production, YPT will be presenting Ruby Moon under the banner of Lindsay Street Players, our adult company. Please consider the content before auditioning.
Production Information Meetings (PIMs)
All potential auditionees considering a commitment to Ruby Moon are required to attend a Production Information Meeting. Auditions are open to Year 12 YPT Students, Associates, YPT Adult Members and non YPT adults.
- YPT 2024 Student and Associate Members (must be finished school and 18+ by commencement of rehearsals) must be accompanied by a parent to the PIM.
- YPT Adult members and non YPT adults do not require a parent/guardian and/or support person to attend the PIM.
The PIM is scheduled for Monday 4 November at 8:45pm and will be held via Zoom. Attendance at a Production Information Meeting is an audition eligibility requirement. Please sign up for this zoom meeting using the links provided here. The zoom link will be available in the confirmation of registration email.
Audition Eligibility Criteria (please see relevant listing)
YPT Students and Associates:
- Must be finished school and 18+ by commencement of rehearsals
- Students have 75% attendance & an appropriate behavior/participation record in Theatre School classes and at rehearsals/performances for previous YPT productions.
- Attend one of the Production Information Meetings, accompanied by a parent/guardian
- Provide a Working with Children Check when applicable and a completed Production Information Form by the designated date
- Be prepared to become a YPT adult member if not enrolling in classes in 2025 as a Year 13
- For Lindsay Street Players it is not a requirement to have a person supporting the production. If you would like to include a support person to assist with volunteer tasks, please indicate on the audition form. YPT appreciates the support of families for tasks such as set, costume, front of house, and canteen. If you have a person wishing to support the production, they must also become adult members and provide their WWCC.
YPT Adult Members:
- Must be finished school and 18+ by commencement of rehearsals
- Attend one of the Production Information Meetings
- Provide a Working with Children Check and a completed Production Information Form by the designated date
- Be prepared to rrenew adult membership in 2025
- For Lindsay Street Players it is not a requirement to have a person supporting the production. If you would like to include a support person to assist with volunteer tasks, please indicate on the audition form. YPT appreciates the support of families for tasks such as set, costume, front of house and canteen. If you have a person wishing to support the production, they must also become adult members and provide their WWCC.
Non YPT Adults:
- Must be finished school and 18+ by commencement of rehearsals
- Attend one of the Production Information Meetings
- Provide a Working with Children Check and a completed Production Information Form by the designated date
- Must be prepared to become a YPT Adult Production Member (cost ($10.00) prior to the first rehearsal.
- For Lindsay Street Players it is not a requirement to have a person supporting the production. If you would like to include a support person to assist with volunteer tasks, please indicate on the audition form. YPT appreciates the support of families for tasks such as set, costume, front of house and canteen. If you have a person wishing to support the production, they must also become adult members and provide their WWCC.
Directing Team
Director: Samuel Jenkins
Assistant Director/s: Taken from the audition pool
Assistant Director / Shadow Actor
In addition to our cast, there will be up to two Assistant Directors offered, who will also take on the role of Shadow Actors. The Shadow Actor role is designed as training experience for younger performers who are interested in gaining insight into both the production and performance aspects of theatre, giving them hands-on exposure to directing while learning a track in the way a standby/understudy would in the industry. This unique opportunity allows young actors to observe and participate in the rehearsal process, whilst learning the show alongside the cast.
We encourage younger adult members who may not fall into the typical age range of this production to apply.
Auditions
Preliminary Auditions are via self-tape; tape to be received by Wednesday 4 December. Further information will be provided at the Production Information Meetings, regarding what preparation is required. There is no guarantee that all auditionees will be offered a role. There may be an in-person call back on Sunday 8 December.
Role List
Lindsay Street Players and the umbrella organization, Young Peoples Theatre Newcastle Inc, is an inclusive and supportive company; we warmly welcome performers of all backgrounds to apply. There are two performer tracks for this production who will be required to play multiple characters.
SYLVIE MOON – the mother
RAY MOON – the father
DULCIE DOILY – the spinster
SID CRAVEN – the clown
VERONICA VALE – the singer
SONNY JIM – the soldier
DAWN BERGER – the babysitter
CARL OGLE – the inventor
Rehearsals
Following the auditions, intensive rehearsals will start in January 2025. The rehearsal schedule will be built on the availability of our chosen performers (who must be prepared for long rehearsals). All rehearsals will take place at Young Peoples Theatre, corner of Lindsay and Lawson Street Hamilton, except for a few rehearsals held in the rehearsals rooms at Hunter School of Performing Arts. Location will be clearly notified in the rehearsal schedule to the successful cast.
Performance Season (6 performances)
- Thursday 13 February 11:00am *
- Friday 14 February 11:00am* & 7:00pm
- Saturday 15 February 2:00pm & 7:00pm
- Sunday 16 February 5:00pm
*Reserve performances
Note: This season does include two school matinee performances. Please consider your work commitments and availability for these performances before auditioning. Auditionee must be available for the entire season.
Working With Children Checks
YPT requires all adults involved in productions to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). While this production does not directly involve children, you will be present in our theatre where our students will be rehearsing and/or taking classes.
WWCC are free for volunteers, which includes those taking a role in production and those supporting a production; WWCC have a five-year life span. If you do not have a WWCC, click on this link and follow the instructions:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check
If you have any questions, please email the Theatre Office on productions@ypt.org.au