Dear TMP audiences,
After 28 years, The Merlin Players (TMP) announces auditions for our final production, A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens, adapted to the stage by Romulus Linney; directed by Sam Temple and technical director
Matthew Boyd.
This production is notable in its symmetry; in December 2007 The Merlin Players opened the newly renovated
Paradise Theater (Paradise Center for the Arts) in Faribault with A Christmas Carol, the first live theater
performance in the Paradise in over 70 years.
This final production is also a tribute to the founding members of The Merlin Players and our longtime Artistic Director,
Julianna Skluzacek. Over the last 28 years, Julianna has guided TMP through a vast library of stories and has
brought her vision to life with the help of many talented people. She has provided the opportunity for others to
share their visions as well, mentoring many actors and directors, and stirring a passion for theater in our
community. We will also be honoring Craig Berg, Dan Freeman, and Lois Vranesh, “Merlin” members who were
instrumental to our storytelling, but left us too soon.
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic story follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered,
ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show
him what life means. Sam Temple and Matthew Boyd bring a new vision to a timeless story with a rendition that is
equal parts holiday spectacle and spirited nightmare. A true thrill for all ages!
After 28 years, The Merlin Players (TMP) announces auditions for our final production, A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens, adapted to the stage by Romulus Linney; directed by Sam Temple and technical director
Matthew Boyd.
This production is notable in its symmetry; in December 2007 The Merlin Players opened the newly renovated
Paradise Theater (Paradise Center for the Arts) in Faribault with A Christmas Carol, the first live theater
performance in the Paradise in over 70 years.
This final production is also a tribute to the founding members of The Merlin Players and our longtime Artistic Director,
Julianna Skluzacek. Over the last 28 years, Julianna has guided TMP through a vast library of stories and has
brought her vision to life with the help of many talented people. She has provided the opportunity for others to
share their visions as well, mentoring many actors and directors, and stirring a passion for theater in our
community. We will also be honoring Craig Berg, Dan Freeman, and Lois Vranesh, “Merlin” members who were
instrumental to our storytelling, but left us too soon.
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic story follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered,
ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show
him what life means. Sam Temple and Matthew Boyd bring a new vision to a timeless story with a rendition that is
equal parts holiday spectacle and spirited nightmare. A true thrill for all ages!
Mission Statement...The Merlin Players will strive to provide professional, affordable theatre experiences to audiences throughout southeastern Minnesota. These productions will offer audiences, actors, technical staff and directors, challenges for artistic growth. In partnership with area high schools, we will also provide learning opportunities for student audiences, actors and technical staff through the student intern program.