Ellington

If your New Year's resolution was to join a community theater production, here's your opportunity. Black Rose Theatre holds auditions for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Jan. 3 and 4 at 103 Black St. in Brandon. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. both days.

Dixie Gray will direct. Performances are Feb. 16-19 and 23-26. The cast includes Charlie Brown, Lucy van Pelt, Linus van Pelt, Schroeder, Patty, Snoopy, "The Peanut Gallery" (chorus) and "The Woodstock Flock" (younger children). Parts are available for young people through the age of 18.

The musical follows the themes from the popular comic strip, "Peanuts." Linus is the philosopher, Snoopy is the free spirit, Charlie Brown has a crush on the Little Red-Haired Girl, and Lucy has a crush on Schroeder, the Beethoven fan.

Auditions at Black Rose involve cold script readings, learning and performing a song from the show, and learning and performing simple choreography. Actors auditioning for major parts are welcome to bring a prepared piece, but it is not required.

A pianist will play for those who are auditioning. Actors trying out for the role of Snoopy should have a prepared dance number.

Black Rose is also interviewing youth apprentices in the following positions: producer, lights and sound, director and choreographer. The theater also needs help to build and paint sets, and to work backstage with stage managers.

The community theater groups plan these shows for 2012: "The Ponder Heart," "Our Town," "Godspell" and "Southern Hospitality." Black Rose will also present "Night of One Acts" in July, featuring local playwrights.

For information about any of these upcoming productions, visit blackrosetheatre.org.