By: Jackson Bandy (knb003@marietta.edu)
With just two days between the closing of the Little Women musical and the beginning of the next production, Marietta College’s Theatre Department has been busy. The auditions of Chicago swept the Friederich Theatre Tuesday through Thursday, with a turnout of over 40 cast and crewmates.
Auditions consisted of a preliminary monologue read, an excerpt from one of the show’s musical numbers and a dance call for beginner and intermediate dancers. Performers were then asked for a “call back” the next day to showcase their acting ranges, with an additional invite-only dance call for advanced dancers.
“Chicago is one of the shows that people who love musicals grow up knowing about. It’s done everywhere, and because it has been so popular for so long, it becomes an ‘ambition show’ for people,” Aurora Held-Dodd, the show’s director and choreographer, said when asked about the cast’s turnout.
Held-Dodd attributed the auditions’ success to the story’s content, in her opinion the villainesque nature of many key characters as well as the fantastical plotline of the show draws people’s attention.
Sophie Wheeler, Chicago stage manager, oversaw tech interviews, where potential crew members discussed their design inclinations and relevant experience. While numbers in the tech department were slightly below average, Wheeler was still satisfied.
“The people we have do really good work and we are always really excited to have new faces, but we always get the work done,” Wheeler said.
For those who may have a future interest in theatre, both Wheeler and Held-Dodd have similar messages, If you want to, do it – people from all different majors and interest levels do shows, and are so pleased to have new perspectives and different voices.
Held-Dodd explained, “It is an old cliche, but it’s because it’s true – there is a place for anybody in theatre or the arts in general, regardless of experience or ability. If you have something pulling on your heart telling you that you want to be involved in anything, then find an environment with people that will welcome you in and just go for it.”
The public’s first look at Chicago will occur during Homecoming weekend, with a number to be performed for alums and other attendees. The full show will open in the spring semester, with performances on February 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd. More information, about the show, as well as the rest of the 2024-25 season, can be found at https://www.marietta.edu/theatre-season.
Edited By: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu) & Alyssa Holland
