Auditions for "Dark of the Moon," an eerie tale set in Appalachia which opens the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s 88th Season on the MainStage, are set for Monday and Tuesday, August 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the CTC.

Told in a rich, mountain dialect, "Dark of the Moon" by Howard Richardson and William Berney is the story of John, a witch boy who seeks to become human after falling in love with a human girl, Barbara Allen. Originally written as a dramatization of the centuries-old, European folk song "The Ballad of Barbara Allen," this haunting play features bluegrass music sung and played by the cast.

Scott Dunlap, director of the production, will be casting bluegrass musicians, singers, and actors all at the same time.

"While a singing actor may be given a leg up in the audition process, it isn’t a deal-breaker for casting," says Dunlap. "We have the option to cut songs or assign them to other characters."

Dunlap compares "Dark of the Moon" to the supernatural love stories of "Twilight" or "True Blood" and the foot-stomping musical "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?" But he cautions that this play contains elements that some actors may not be comfortable portraying.

"There is near-nudity as well as some gritty, adult situations in this play," Dunlap says. "I strongly advise any volunteer who is interested in auditioning to read the play first."

Copies are the script are available at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre box office Tuesday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A $20 refundable deposit is required.