Your future, our focus
P O W E L L, W y o. - What may become the beginning of a Big Horn Basin-wide community theatre venture launches Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 10 and 11, with auditions from 6-10 p.m. in the Nelson Performing Arts Center at Northwest College in Powell.
About 15-20 actors and actresses are needed for a mid-December production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." There are also plenty of opportunities for back-stage helpers in set construction, costuming and other areas.
Fred Ebert, a visiting instructor in speech communications and forensics at NWC, and Robert Hunt, a Powell High School teacher, will co-direct the production.
Ebert said the two evening auditions will provide plenty of time for warm ups. Participants can bring their own materials to audition with or use provided readings.
"This is a great opportunity for people with no acting experience who want to try their hand for the first time," he said. "The play features four levels of people in love -- we have roles that range from the magical, mythical fairies at one level to earthier human characters, middle class and the elite in the other levels. We also have a lot of secondary characters who don't have many lines."
Ebert points out, however, that he hopes to have veteran actors making up the core of the cast.
"Above all, we want this to be fun for everyone involved," he said. "If this production is successful, and if we can get folks from around the Big Horn Basin to participate, we hope to take the show to a variety of venues in Big Horn, Park and Washakie counties. We'd like this to become the first of an ongoing community theatre series."
Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled four nights a week, Monday through Thursday, but dates and times will be firmed up once a cast is in place, allowing for more flexibility to meet participants' schedules.
Aspiring actors and actresses, along with others interested in backstage duties and those who just want to support community theater, are invited to drop in anytime during the auditions. For more information, e-mail Fred Ebert or call (800) 560-4692, ext. 6047, or 754-6047.