Auditions

When the students showed up for auditions on Monday afternoon, they had little idea what to expect.  I was looking for students who:

• could work as part of an ensemble
• were creative and would add to the play
• had their own opinions and a dash of passion
• mature enough to take risks and try new things

We started with quite a few movement and improvisation exercises.  Then, each auditionee got on their “soapbox” and shared something they believe in.  Here are some of the things these students care about:

• We need to stop cyber-bullying.
• gay marriage (we heard both sides of the argument)
• Pizza is not a vegetable as Congress says it is.
• Beauty is on the inside.
• We as Beaver students need to own our privilege and take the responsibility to help others less fortunate than us.
• organ donation
• recycling
• acceptance
• love and healthy, positive relationships

The second day of auditions, auditionees tested their improvisation skills in some improv games.  They also began to make and analyze tableaus (frozen pictures) of oppression and justice.  Finally, they worked as an ensemble to make and bring to life a tableau that accurately depicted what school is like.

The auditionees put a huge amount of trust in me, and I am so thankful that they showed up (both physically and mentally) and dove in head-first.  We ended up with an ensemble of 14 wonderful students, as well as an equally wonderful stage manager and assistant stage manager.

-Lindsey Hamby-Real, director