This winter the theater department is going to present their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. However, before the curtains rise and the show can begin, the audition process must take place. On October 26th and 27th vocal and dance workshops took place in preparation for the audition. 

“We go over auditions and information, rehearse sides and provide advice. It’s a good chance to  introduce new members to the department,” President of the Theater Department Justin Doud said.

According to the head of the theater department, Ms. Lobanski, auditionees will be required to perform an audition dance, speak a brief side, text from the musical, and sing a one minute song of their choosing. Ms. Lobanski casts with a musical priority, as she watches respective auditionees.

“If they can’t sing the role, even if they can act the role and dance the role, we can’t consider them for the part, so that’s where we start,” Ms. Lobanski said. “Once we figure out who can vocally handle the demands of the role, then we look at what are their acting skills, what are their skills in acting while singing, and can they dance well enough for what the role requires.”

On November 1 and 2 from 2:45-5:00 auditions are open to any student looking to participate.

“We have open auditions which means everyone auditioning can watch which is super nerve racking,” Vice President Phoebe Hamburger said. “It is also really exciting because musical season is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s really fun to see everyone in a new type of performance every year.”

Just as the students enjoy the musical season, so do their directors. The musical is a collaboration of many fine arts departments including: theater, tech theater, orchestra, band, choir, and even some dance team members.

“My favorite thing is getting to collaborate with people that I don’t normally get to work with,” said Ms. Lobanski. “Working with students from all over the school that I wouldn’t normally get to meet, I love that about the musical.”

Last year’s collaboration was the film to musical adaptation of Legally Blonde, and after its success, Ms. Lobanski was charged with deciding which show the department would put on this year.

“We have a ton of guys in our depart that are really in to theater and we thought that this would be a fun way to feature so many of them, it’s also a really fun show that has a wider appeal to our community than maybe some of the shows that we’ve done in the past couple of years. This one is a little more family friendly, and so we wanted something that you could bring everybody to, all ages, and this fit the bill,” Ms. Lobanski said.

Rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will begin soon after auditions, and continue until the production opens at the end of January 2023. For more information on ticket sales, show dates, audition information, and other upcoming events in the theater department visit https://www.twcptheatre.com/.