WSCC to hold auditions for spring production.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP  – West Shore Community College announces auditions for the March production of “Breaking the Code,” written by Hugh Whitemore, and based on the book “Alan Turing: The Enigma,” by Andrew Hodges, which was recently made into the movie, “The Imitation Game.”  

Auditions will be held on Jan. 11-14, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the following locations:

• Jan. 11 – Scottville – Mason County Central High School Band Room
• Jan. 12 – Ludington Area Center for the Arts Theatre
• Jan. 13 – Manistee – West Shore Medical/WSCC Education Center – classroom 3
• Jan. 14 – West Shore Community College – Center Stage Theater

The college’s new Director of Theatre Michael “Mik” Mikula says, “We are holding auditions in multiple locations because it is part of the mission to bring the college into all of the areas we serve.  I feel there are a number of talented actors and technicians in the area and I want to reach out to them wherever they may be.  I want the community to feel they are welcome to participate in the arts here at West Shore.”

“Breaking the Code” took London and Broadway by storm in this exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke too many codes; the eccentric genius Alan Turing who played a major role in winning World War II. He broke the complex German code called “Enigma,” enabling allied forces to foresee German maneuvers. 

Since his work was classified top secret for years after the war, no one knew how much was owed to him when he was put on trial for breaking another code; the taboo against homosexuality. Turing, who was also the first to conceive of computers, was convicted of the criminal act of homosexuality and sentenced to undergo hormone treatments which left him physically and mentally debilitated. He died by suicide, forgotten and alone. This play is about who he was, what happened to him and why.

The production support team includes Mikula as director and scenic designer, Stage Manager Emily Hartrum, and Marty Cupp is the charge painter and scenic decorator. Amanda Colleen is the resident lighting designer, Adam Knudsen, resident audio engineer, Matt Crescenzi, resident assistant audio engineer, and Susan Barnard is the costume designer. 

The production will be presented at WSCC’s Center Stage Theatre on Thurs.-Sat., March 10-12, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., March 13, at 2 p.m. 

Questions about the auditions should be directed to Mikula by phone at (231) 843-5743, or by email – mmikula@westshore.edu.