Summerset Theatre will kick off its 52nd season by holding May auditions for its upcoming shows.

Auditions for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4, and from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, May 6, at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College. Those interested can attend on either date.

“We picked ‘The Little Mermaid’ because we really wanted to do a family show and encourage families to audition,” said Summerset Theatre Co-director Randy Forster. “The last few years our shows have had more of an adult theme, so we felt it was time to do a show for the whole family.”

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” features roles for ages 10 and up.

Auditions for “Mamma Mia!” will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18, and from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, May 20, also at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Participants can attend either date.

“We have been wanting to do ‘Mamma Mia!’ for years and the rights just became available last spring, so we jumped at the opportunity when the show was available for community theatres to produce,” Forster said. “Plus it’s just such a fun show!”

“Mamma Mia!” features roles for adults.

Audition materials and a cast breakdown for both shows can be found on Summerset Theatre’s website, www.summersettheatre.org.

New this year, Summerset Theatre is offering free audition workshops to help actors prepare for the upcoming auditions for both shows. Led by Riverland Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams, participants will get insight into the casting process, tips on how to make their audition stand out, and get coached on actual audition material from the show.

The audition workshop for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30. The audition workshop for “Mamma Mia!” will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14.

The workshops are for high school aged and up and will be held at Riverland Community College, East Building, Room E102.

Those interested in auditioning are not required to attend either workshop and participation in these workshops does not commit you to auditioning for or participating in either show. Everyone wishing to be considered for a role in either show must still attend the auditions.

“This summer truly is going to be a Broadway buster season and that is why we selected two big musicals,” Forster said.

Performance dates for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” are 7 p.m. on June 20-22 and June 27-29 and 2 p.m. on June 23 and June 30. “Mamma Mia!” will be performed at 7 p.m. on July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3 and 2 p.m. on July 28 and Aug. 4.

Summerset Theatre is a not-for-profit community theatre founded in 1968. It is open to all community members who wish to participate. Summerset Theatre productions typically rehearse in the evenings and on weekends.

Summerset Theatre operates in collaboration with the Riverland Community College Foundation.

You can also support Summerset Theatre by becoming a season ticket holder and see both summer productions for a discounted rate of $35. Season passes are on sale now and can be purchased at the Summerset Theatre Box Office in room E107 in Riverland’s East Building or online at www.summersettheatre.org. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu. Individual tickets for each show will go on sale June 4.

Sponsors for 2019 include The Hormel Foundation, The Austin Area Foundation, IBI Data and funds from SEMAC. Summerset Season 52 is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.