Page 69 - Scrimshaw1980-81

February 19, 1981 Scrimshaw page 5 Looking for .that 'btg break' One by one they are called to stand performers would be called upon to before the judges. An eternal two take their show on the roac These minutes is ended when they are performances, sometimes presented interrupted by a polite "Thank you under less then ideal cirumstences. very much, would you go with Mar- were often more infamous then nota- rene please' bre For most. Ihat is the extent of a We did one outside show at Fort Kings Production Audition A small Eustis, Va:: Sandy recollected with a group will be called back at the end cringe, during which the temperature of the day for a second look; a lew 01 reached 109 degrees. Sweating be- , these will be invited to attend call fore they even reached the staqe to back auditions For the rest, an perform, red-hot microphones which afternoon of anxious waiting will con- had been baking under the afternoon clude with a sobering disappoint- sun provided yet another interesting ment. twist to that particular performance Why do they do if? Why subject Vacationers fortunate enough to visit oneself to such tram"1s rnreturn for so Kings Dominion this season will have little? As college students majoring in the opportunity to view the products the performing arts, many of the of this great talent hunt. College performers who underwent this ordeal students Irom across the country will shared one characteristic: a lack of be stepping it :n a tribute to the best professional stage experience. of the New York stage entitled "Give my Regards to Broadway," singing This desire for experience is what with that down on the farm style in draws so much interest for these the Country-Western production,"! be- auditions according to Mr. Benfield neve in Country," and celebrating the He explained that rn addition to lOY of music, song and dance In the providmq exposure to paying anor _ pop music review Can t Stop the ~ut best of all, these provides , The audition process begins: filling out the application... ence, Kings Productions under the MUSIC, wrll last longer than two perform- mm- quality conditions working ances Bill Byrne direction of professional experts from utes Two minutes It is important that performers this step of the audition process, the entertainment industry That isn't alaI of time, but that is all "project the clean cut, theme park performers waJting their turns at TSU the nervous performer has, Two min- image," in the words of Lin Benfield;- emphasised using material that is Anxious for a chance to work with utes to make a lasting impression a marketing representative for Kings familiar 'and relaxing to work with the pros, Mimi, ~ student at TSU, The judges seem «reo but attentive Dominion Eye contact, direction, and ccoreeseo that she was "looking lor a They watch; they walt. They wait for style were also considered according Terry, a dance major from Point Park break." She also cited the value of someone to stand up and prove to to Mr Benfield. College (PittstJurgh, Pal, echoed this being able to list such an experience them, "l've got It, I've got what it strategy of "doing what you know" on a resume as an added attraction takes!" Performing hopefuls are advised by He also pointed out the need to "use Bill and Sandy, two students from And all in two minutes Kings Productions to "show us your flashy moves that will catch some- Shenandoah College (Winchester, best two minutes ... (present) material one's eye Va.) who performed in shows at Auditions to win a summer job that best eKemplifies your talent." A Kings Dominion last summer. agreed performing in a live show at a theme piano sheet music of their chosen But by the time these aspiring that it was a valuable experience park may not generate the same material, to consist of one slow ballad talents are led in small groups 't'm glad I did ii, I liked it a lot.' drama or romance of tryouts for an and one faster, upbeat selection Ihrough the deserted concert hall, the commented Sandy. "I wanted to see off-Broadway production in the Big question of what to perform has been if I could handle doing the same Apple, but the spint is the same Those likely to be hired are requrreo decided. As they take their places show day in and day out." she Unlikely as it was, that a new super- to attend a second, or 'call back' along a row of chairs 011 to one side explained. Two months preparing and star would be discovered by the audition. During these closer look of the stage, the battle lor control five months performing the same act Kings Productions auditions held at sessions, singers are run through begins. First timers struggle just to can be challenging, she recalled, but Towson State University on February brief dance routines, and dancers are keep stili. The audition veterans con-. this test of "endurance" was some- 6, the crowd of young performers asked to audition their vocal abilities centrate on channeling Iheir nervous thing she wanted to try waiting in the TSU Concert Hall lobby energy into an asset. They count on it was humming with nervdtJs energy With only two minutes to "show your to help them reach Ihat highest note, The regular 6 day, 40 hours per They were all there for the same stuff," selecting material to perform to make them shine a little brighter week Kings Dorninon routine was reason. A chance for a little piece of can be a crucial decision. When than the competition. interrupted on occasion when the fame, a chance to live forever discussing what considerations affect Discovering enough talent to staff live shows at 5 theme parks (mctuo- ing Kings Dominion of Richmond, Va.) is no small task, Kings Produc- ..........and finally, the crucial two tions, the largest producer of profes- minutes. sional live shows for theme parks launched its 1981 recruitment effort on January 14 The day of auditioning held at TSU was just one of 40 to be Y(JI(8UO'S held at 28 colleges and universities in 12 states and Canada HAPPY HOUR According to Dewey Hawthom, Di- rector of Promotions for Kings Pro- LADIES ductiqns, 4,000 to 5,000 hopefuls will compete to fill 400 openings for singers, dancers, instrumentalists, ac- Tues. - Fri. tors and variety performers. Those fortunate enough to land jobs will 4:30-6:00 earn salaries ranging from 140 to 236 Two for Price of one dollars per week working at the parks from Los Angeles, California to T.o- ronto, Canada Judging the auditions at TSU were Wed. and Sat. two Kings Productions directors and two musical supervisors, all of whom plan to work with the shows at the ALL DRINKS $1.00 Kings Dominion park this summer, In addition to being rated according to ...anxious waiting at stage right... their primary talent. performers are appraised on the basis of their gen- eral appearance and style.