A Classic Theatre (ACT) will hold auditions for the St. Augustine Premiere of "Sweet Emmaline: The Musical Journey of Debbie McDade", a new musical play written and directed by Deborah B. Dickey. 

Auditions will be by appointment only and will consist of cold readings from the script, as well as vocal auditions. Please prepare 16-32 bars of a classic or contemporary (50’s pop, jazz or blues) piece. An accompanist will be provided. No recorded accompaniment permitted. Actor/singers are asked to provide a current photo and list of previous experience.  Call (904) 315-1122 to schedule an appointment.

Available Roles:   2 females + 1 whistler (male or female)

                              Debbie McDade (African American), age range 25-45

                              Amanda (African American), age 16-25

                              Whistler (flexible)

Rehearsals begin mid-March and performance dates are May 8 at 3 pm and May 9-12 at 7:30 pm. All performances will be at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center located at 102 Martin Luther King Blvd. in St. Augustine. All performers will receive a paid honorarium.

Sweet Emmaline recounts the remarkable life story of St. Augustine vocalist, Debbie McDade, who made her way to a career on the New York stage in the 1950s as a soloist with Count Basie’s band. She sang with Earl "Fatha” Hines and received her stage name, Debby Moore, from the great Louis Armstrong, who became her mentor and friend. With a mixed repertoire of pop and jazz standards, she went on to record some of her own compositions. Debbie’s recordings reveal the light and lovely style of a singer who could whistle as well as she sang!