Next!

At the beginning of each new semester, eager actors, singers, and dancers flock to the fourth floor of Lerner. Sweaty palms, music sheets, and head shots tell you all that you need to know: it's audition time.

Scores of incoming freshmen and returning CU theater veterans understand the hectic pace of the audition weeks. Many actors and actresses try out for everything from the King's Crown Shakespeare Troupe (KCST) to the Columbia Musical Theater Society (CMTS) to give themselves the best chances for the best parts in the fall productions. While everyone else on campus shops for classes, these students shop for shows as well.

Since most shows lift their curtains in November, a time crunch is unavoidable. "It's a very competitive market for actors, and all the shows are vying for the best ones," said Patrick Young, CC '06, director of the CMTS production of Euripides' Trojan Women. "To some extent, that's why auditions always happen in the first week of school. Not only are people pressured to cast their shows soon because of short production schedules, but the longer you wait to hold auditions, the less likely you are to get the really good actors."

Good actors certainly have their options this semester as well, ranging from theatrical favorites to new and innovative productions conceived by this year's production teams. Young described his Trojan Women as "a dance/theatre hybrid," which will be choreographed by Joanna Dee, CC '05. Another innovative production is Ellen Reid's Captain, My Captain, a musical version of the movie The Dead Poet's Society, which holds its auditions next week.

For many actors, the most fearful part of the audition is the dance section. A "triple threat"--someone who can act, dance, and sing--is often hard to find, and dancing may keep away some of the better singers and actors who feel a dance audition will kill their chances for a part. Trojan Women will require all three, which Young said "presents a problem. Not only do we have to audition actors and dancers, but we have to attract them both to the auditions as well."

However, first-years and upperclassmen do have the opportunity to prove themselves during the audition process. "In auditions you can do whatever you want," said Julia Hart, CC '04 and director of Romeo and Juliet. "It's a moment unto yourself as an actor without the input of the director or other actors. So, enjoy the moment--do something interesting and different."

Kiss Me, Kate

The first production to hold auditions this semester was Kiss Me, Kate, a production by the Columbia Musical Theater Society (CMTS) directed by Michael Marcus. Four days of auditions are held, which consist of an open call where hopefuls must prepare a song and read a scene from the show. The remaining auditions are tonight from 9:30 to 11:30 in Lerner E572 and tomorrow night at a location and time to be announced. Both auditions will be immediately followed by a mandatory dance audition. Complete information for all CMTS productions is available on their website, www.columbia.edu/cu/cmts.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ...

Also produced by CMTS and directed by Lauren Mancia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is Tom Stoppard's classic retelling of Hamlet from the perspective of the two doomed courtiers caught in the webs of Claudius and Hamlet. Auditions were held yesterday and will also be held today from 8 to 11 p.m. in 318 Hamilton. Students who wish to audition are asked to prepare a one- to two-minute Shakespeare or Stoppard monologue, or they may choose to use sides provided by CMTS.

Captain, My Captain

The independently-produced production of Ellen Reid's Captain, My Captain, a musical version of the movie The Dead Poet's Society, will hold its auditions on September 15 and 16, with callbacks on September 17. The location has not yet been announced, but those who wish to audition may email Reid at ecr2001@columbia.edu for more information.

Trojan Women

CMTS will try its hand at Greek tragedy with Trojan Women, a masterpiece by the "most tragic of tragic poets," Euripides. All too relevant in light of current events, the play, to be directed by Patrick Young, addresses the heavy subject of war. Set after the fall of Troy, it follows the fates of Cassandra, Hecuba, and Andromache on their journey to Greece. Auditions are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9th and Wednesday, Sept. 10th, from 8p.m. to 11p.m. "Come dressed appropriately to move," cautions the website. For more information, contact pey2001@columbia.edu.

Romeo and Juliet

Julia Hart will direct the King's Crown Shakespeare Troupe's production of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, with auditions on September 8 and 10 at times and locations to be announced. Further information can be obtained by contacting KCST by email at kcst@columbia.edu.