The College of the Canyons Theatre Department will host a series of open audition dates for students and community members interested in performing in the college’s two upcoming spring semester productions.

The COC theatre department’s spring productions include “Legally Blonde: The Musical” based on the adaptation of Amanda Brown’s novel and film, “Next Fall” by American playwright Geoffrey Nauffts, and performances of the college’s annual New Works Festival.

More than 40 roles will be available to actors of all ethnicities ranging in age from 16 to late-50s.

“We are excited about our spring productions and the many roles available for actors, singers and dancers,” said Paul Wickline, chair of the COC theatre department. “Our directors and designers have been working hard behind the scenes, now we need you to come out and show us what you got.”

Auditions for “Legally Blonde” will take place at noon Saturday, Feb. 7 and 6:45 p.m Monday, Feb. 9 and Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Auditions for “Next Fall” and for the New Works Festival take place at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 and Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Auditions on Saturday, Feb. 7 will take place in the college’s Studio Theatre located in Student Center, Room 130, on the college’s Valencia campus. Auditions on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 will take place in the college’s Black Box Theatre.

Actors interested in auditioning for “Legally Blonde” should prepare to perform about one to two minutes of a song from a musical theatre production. Those auditioning are asked to bring sheet music for a provided accompanist.

All interested in auditioning for “Next Fall” or the New Works Festival should prepare a one to two minute contemporary monologue.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”

COC theatre instructor Matt McCray will direct the play based on the novel “Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. “Legally Blonde” tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl and a student at Harvard Law School who tries to win back an ex-boyfriend.

During her time at Harvard, she realizes her knowledge of law can help others, and successfully defends a celebrity in a murder trial.

“This musical captures everything that was great about the movie, but adds a ton of incredible songs and high-octane group scenes and hilarious characters,” McCray says. “The cast is huge and very diverse, and the chorus especially will have a lot of fun jumping in and out of different character roles. It’s going to be a party on stage and a total blast to see!”

The COC production will include a cast of 20 with actors ranging in age from 15 to 50.

Performances will take place the weekends of March 20-22 and March 27-29.

“Next Fall”

“Next Fall” takes a provocative and modern look at love, faith and commitment in the relationship between Adam, a confirmed atheist, and devout Christian, Luke.

After a serious accident, Adam must reassess his views and seek support from Luke’s family and friends, forcing Adam – and the audience – to examine what it means to “believe” and what it might cost us not to.

COC theatre instructor Susan Hinshaw will direct the college’s production of “Next Fall.”

Performances take place April 23-26.

For more information about the College of the Canyons theatre department’s spring semester productions or for additional details about the audition process please visit www.canyons.edu/Departments/THEATR.