In February, students and community members will have the opportunity to audition their talents for a chance to be featured in the casts of three upcoming spring semester productions.

The COC theatre department’s spring lineup includes productions of “subUrbia” and “Lend Me a Tenor,” as well as a collection of eight original works selected for inclusion in the college’s annual New Works Festival (NWF).

In all, there will be approximately 30 roles available for actors between the ages of 18 and 50.

Those interested in auditioning for one or all of the department’s spring productions should prepare a one to two minute contemporary monologue and make plans to attend one of two open audition dates, being held Tuesday, Feb. 5 and Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Actors will then be asked to read sides from the specific plays during callback auditions, to be held Thursday, Feb. 7, for all productions.

Each audition date will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) Black Box Theatre, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

“Each of these productions will offer participating actors the opportunity to shine in a memorable role from a new classic, or originate a fresh role in one of scripts selected for the New Works Festival,” said Paul Wickline, chair of the COC theatre department and producer/director of “Lend Me a Tenor.”

“We are very pleased to offer local actors the opportunity to work with talented, award-winning directors on these outstanding projects,” added Wickline.

“subUrbia”

Focusing on themes of escape, personal re-invention and the American dream, “subUrbia” follows the evening activities of a group of aimless 20-somthings living in suburban New Jersey. But when a chance encounter with a former classmate turned successful musician stirs the emotions of the group, each begins to examine the lies and excuses that have combined to keep them stuck in a seemingly meaningless, dead-end existence.

The COC theatre department’s production of “subUrbia” will include roles for five men and four women. Two actors of Middle Eastern, Indian or Pakistani descent are being sought for this production.

In addition, actors auditioning for the role of “Pony” will be asked to sing and play guitar at the audition. Actors will then perform script readings at the callback audition date.

“Lend Me a Tenor”

A hilarious farce set in the autumn of 1934, “Lend Me a Tenor” takes place on the night that the Cleveland Grand Opera Company is set to host the world famous tenor Tito Morelli in a gala season opening performance of “Otello.”

The hope is that the evening will help place Cleveland on the cultural map. But with Morelli nowhere to be found — and eventually arriving drunk —plans quickly begin to sour, and things begin to spin out of control.

The COC theatre department’s production of “Lend Me a Tenor” will include roles for four men and four women.

Actors specifically auditioning for the roles of “Bellhop,” “Tito” and “Max” are asked to prepare approximately 30-seconds of an operatic song, to be performed at the audition without accompaniment. If nothing is prepared, a musical selection will be provided.

Actors will then perform script readings at the callback audition date. All roles will be cast with the best actors, regardless of singing abilities.

New Works Festival (NWF)

The annual NWF is a collaboration between the college’s theatre and English departments which gives aspiring playwrights — from the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond —the opportunity to see their work brought to life through a unique workshop experience that focuses on taking the writer’s work to the next level.

Using a blind reading process, eight playwrights were selected to have their works developed for this year’s NWF. Subject matter for the plays chosen include themes ranging from carrying on a father’s dream, to Cowboys and horse wranglers, to scenes without any dialogue at all.

The NWF will contain roles for six men and six women. In all, a company of 12 to 14 actors will be needed to perform in a variety of new scripts.

For more information about any of the College of the Canyons theatre department’s spring productions or for additional details about the audition process please visit www.canyons.edu/departments/theatre/upcoming.htm.