The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is offering students a shot at becoming a member of the new summer repertory company, Raven Rep.
“It’s designed to provide more opportunity for students in the arts to perform,” Theater Department Associate Dean and Head of Raven Rep Penelope Hasekoester said.
According to Hasekoester, it will count as an internship and allow students to experience the rigors of working in a repertory setting while also receiving educational credit.
The company will accept around 15 members. Rehearsals will begin mid-May, and the last show will close July 7.
The schedule will be demanding, with two shows in rehearsal at all times coinciding with two performances.
Raven Rep members will perform three family-friendly pieces, directed by SHSU faculty. These pieces include “Harvey” directed by Kevin Crouch, “The Fantasticks” by both Hasekoester and Dr. Laura Avery and “Smokey Joe’s Café” directed by Hasekoester and choreographed by Kyle Craig-Bogard.
Auditions will be held in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center and will involve a three-step process; students must audition in all three areas to be considered for company membership.
Vocal auditions are April 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Students are expected to perform two contrasting 30-40 second cuts: one contemporary musical theatre song from between 1960-1980 and one rock’n’roll era song in the style of Leiber and Stoller.
The acting audition and interview is April 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Students must prepare a single one-minute contemporary monologue for the acting portion.
The interview will consist of questions composed to help the judges better understand everyone’s interest in joining. The judges will also answer any questions at this time.
The dance audition is April 26 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Students are asked to wear appropriate dance clothing and either jazz shoes or character shoes.
“Each member will be cast in two out of three theatre and musical theatre productions,” Hasekoester said. “They will also be required to perform technical work as part of their company membership and internship.”
The Dance and Music departments at SHSU will also be involved.
“Noble Motion Dance Company will perform during the week of dance events, and the School of Music will have various ensembles perform as its contribution to Raven Rep,” Hasekoester said.
Raven Rep will give performers a stage on which to display their craft and also look great on a resume.
For more information, contact Penelope Hasekoester at drm_pah@shsu.edu.
