Several hundred aspiring actors, singers, dancers and technicians are expected to participate in the 2019 North Central Regional Auditions and Interviews in Steele Hall.
Hosted for the second consecutive year by Cal U’s Department of Music and Theatre through the North Central Theatre Alliance (formerly Ohio Theatre Alliance), the open-audition event is for those 18 and older.
Dr. Michele Pagen, professor and co-chair of the Department of Music and Theatre, is the Cal U liaison for the event. She said at least a dozen Cal U students will either participate in the auditions and interviews or assist with hosting the event. Some will do both.
“It’s open to anyone from anywhere who is looking for work in performance or any form of technical design,” she said. “Having it here gives our students experience without having to travel and incur those costs.
“Our entertainment design students get the opportunity to assist in the organizing and facilitating of an event like this, and our freshmen get to see what’s happening and next year will be more aware.
Producers will conduct 90-second auditions as well as interviews for technical positions.
“In the business we refer to these auditions as ‘cattle calls,’ because students will be auditioning for a variety of different companies. They really have to show a wide variety of skills within those 90 seconds,” Pagen said.
Sophomore theater major Marissa Sorenson plans to perform a selection from Shrek: The Musical for her first professional audition.
“I want to be in musicals primarily,” she said, “but my interests have expanded since coming to school, and I really am just so excited for whatever opportunities come my way.”
Companies that will have producers on campus include Cleveland, Ohio-based Great Lakes Theater and Mercury Theatre Company, Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio), Trumpet in the Land (New Philadelphia, Ohio), and Blue Gate Dinner Theatre (Shipshewanna, Ind.).
Sophomore Holly Grainger, a theater major and aspiring stage manager, is working at the event but is also going to interview for a job.
“Working the event last year allowed me to see what auditions of this size are like, as well as everything that happens behind the scenes to ensure that the event runs efficiently,” she said.
“The days are long and busy but definitely worth it.”
Online registration and more audition details are available at breakalegnetwork.com/2019-ota-audition-interview-registration-now-open/.
For more information, email opentheatreauditions@gmail.com or pagen@calu.edu.