Friday, August 17, 2007
Anyone with the desire to act should take notice: The KU theater department is holding its second and final day of auditions for the first four shows of the fall semester. The four shows include “Translations,” “The Music Man,” “The Death of Romance” and “Fool For Love.”
John Staniunas, theater and film department chair, said open auditions were Thursday and today in Murphy Hall, with callback auditions this weekend and Monday.
Matt Crooks, Stilwell junior, performs a musical number during his audition in front of several judges Thursday night in Murphy Hall. Crooks was one of several students who auditioned for a spot in a fall performance with the University Theatre Department.
“Auditions are campus-wide; everyone can join,” Staniunas said. “I’ve had journalism students, biology students, you name it. Just come on over.”
Thursday night audition sign-ups took place all Thursday morning and afternoon. As of 3 p.m., 75 students had signed up for the night’s auditions. Meaghan Deiter, a masters student in vocal performance from Sabetha, signed up for Thursday night’s auditions of “The Music Man.”
“It would just be a lot of fun,” Deiter said. “I’ve done a handful of shows in the past, and it has always been a great experience.”
The theater department has big expectations for the fall semester after the success of this summer’s run of “Pageant,” a musical which has its cast of men dressed in drag.
“The box office would open at noon, and we would receive phone calls from people wanting to purchase their tickets at 8 a.m.,” said Charla Jenkins, theater department public relations director. “Because of the success, we are starting off with a bang this year by bringing it back for the Labor Day weekend.”
The revival of “Pageant” will feature the cast from the summer’s run.
This semester will mark the 50th anniversary of Murphy Hall and “The Music Man.”
“We’re having a big celebration for the 50th anniversaries,” Jenkins said. “On Nov. 10, we will rededicate the hall, have a special dinner ceremony and then everyone will go to see ‘The Music Man’ to top it all off.”
Jenkins said this school year would be wild but a lot of fun.
“The entire year is going to be hectic with alumni returning in the end of April, the 50th anniversaries and our auditions and shows all year long,” she said.
Auditions are a lot of work, but Staniunas said they were a blast.
“I love putting together the whole package,” Staniunas said. “We have a new crop of students; you study your piece, make it living and breathing, and find the right actors who have the best chemistry.”
Auditions can be intimidating to those who are new to the field, but try to act calm, Deiter said.
“Just have fun during your audition, and make sure you don’t take it too seriously,” she said.
—Edited by Jeff Briscoe
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