Fort Whoop-Up will be under siege this summer. So with that in mind, the Drama Nutz are looking for 20 good men and women for this year’s event by holding auditions at the Fort,  this Wednesday from 7-10 p.m.
“It’s the second year we’ll be doing this. We did it last year and found out what didn’t work, which wasn’t a lot, and decided we’d try to improve on it,” enthused Drama Nutz director David Gabert. His drama group, which  has been doing dinner theatres and improv shows for corporate and business gatherings in Lethbridge since 2006, are preparing for a new summer dinner theatre, which will run Friday and Saturday nights July 23-Aug. 29-Aug. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at Fort Whoop-Up.
“It’s a different story this year but people who came last year will see some of the same characters. And of course there is still the gunfight at the end,” Gabert continued.
“This year it takes place during a wedding. The dinner is at 6 p.m and it is set up like it is the wedding dinner, however the wedding never happens because there is a prisoner and bandits take advantage of the open gates to attack and free him and the groom is killed,” he said adding the doors will open at 6:30, giving the audience a chance to interact with the scoundrels for the Fort. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m., with the hour-long gunfight to follow at  8 p.m.
The scenario is the wedding of Marcella Sheran, sister of the famous founder of  the Lethbridge coal industry. A jail break happens during the ceremony so NWMP Constable Tabor must rally the men of the Fort and stop their rival traders.
Siege on Fort Whoop-Up is a joint production of Fort Whoop-Up National Historic site who provide the venue and the setting and Drama Nutz who provide the performers.
All performers will be required to undertake  firearms history, training and safety and a history course in the first week of May  on which they will be tested so they will be able to interact properly with the audience.
“All of the characters are real people who were around the fort in the 1880s,” he said adding rehearsals begin in June.
 Tickets will go on sale  June 15 through Fort Whoop Up National Historical Site  at 403-329-0444.
The audition is  from 7-10 p.m., April 28 or if you are unable to attend, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to set up a time to meet or check www.dramanutz.com for more details and updates.
 They are also looking for people to help out back stage.