BURRILLVILLE – Several young ladies sat silently awaiting their opportunity to audition on the roughly 20 foot high stage at the Assembly Theater.
Instead of vying for a part in a play, the young actors were waiting their turn for a mock audition on the stage of the 100-year-old building in Harrisville. The time arrives, and a teen enters the stage like a pro, and sings with a passion on par with the contestants on one of those popular TV singing competitions.
Rather than performing for an audience of millions, the young talent at the Assembly performs for an audience of two theater professionals.
At the Assembly’s Audition Workshop on Sunday, March 2, the two directors, performers themselves, were seated directly below the stage as she sang. The pros later offered suggestions to the young theater performer, such as tips on ways to ace an audition.
“It’s always helpful to get feedback, because you never know what others are thinking,” explained Shauna Brosky, a board member of Patrons of the Assembly Theatre.
Performers at all levels of experience and talent level were welcome to the workshop, said Brosky, who directs youth shows at the theater and is also in charge of education programs.
The workshop began with a presentation by Brosky on basics of auditioning, and was followed by the mock auditions.
This is the second year the workshop was held. Last year’s was “really really helpful to a lot of kids,” said Brosky. She said that several young participants told her they loved the event and learned a lot.
An actor herself who performs at the theater, Brosky said she can relate to the anxiety of other performers because she herself is scared of auditioning. A key to overcoming that fear is understanding that the people casting are not out to get the actors., she said.
“My biggest thing is to keep in mind we are rooting for you,” she said.
On Sunday, Brosky said she was excited to see what the kids had prepared.
“They’re so talented and it’s a joy to watch them,” she said.
She offered a few tips for potential or returning auditioners:
- be confident because “every performer has a gift”
- auditioning is “a chance to share that gift”
- take deep breaths and center yourself”
“Show the production team what you can do,” Brosky said, sounding like an enthusiastic coach.
Thomas Tatro, treasurer of the Patrons group, also came out for the Audition Workshop.
“I’m for anything that supports and encourages the performing arts,” he said. “We’re happy to host things like this and help young people get into the performing arts, either as performers or on the technical side.”
Another board member, Drake Lowe, who is a also director and actor, was working the technical side of the theater.
“We did this before, and it was a big success,” Lowe said of the workshop. “It’s great for kids who have never auditioned before – and for adults who want to prepare.”
Lowe says he himself has “completely blown it,” in an audition, and the workshop “would have benefited me.” Lowe said the workshop prepares performers to have the right mind set, and teaches them what to expect, and what is expected and how to showcase their skills and talents.
Seated up front with director Brosky was another director, board member and actor, Ashley Boisvert.
“What I really like are the mock auditions, such as a monologue, a song, or a cold reading,” said Boisvert.
Presenting in front of stage managers, music directors, and other directors, the talent gets feedback on, “what they can improve upon before an actual audition.”
Meanwhile, before the real deal, Brosky advised “practice, practice, practice.”
And those real auditions at the theater are happening soon. On Monday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 26 AssemblyACT will hold auditions casting actors age 6 to 18 for a performance of The Little Mermaid Jr. scheduled for August.
The theater pros are also working on shows and planning classes – including another audition workshop. Perhaps one of the hopeful talented participants in this year’s audition workshop might win a spot in the lineup for one of this those shows.
