Students Audition For “The Crucible”
BY: LAUREN JOHNS
Art & Life Editor
The Meramec Theatre Department is launching the play lineup with “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller for performances planned for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-6 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 7.
Professor Michelle Rebollo, director, said the theme of the play – events around the 1950’s involving McCarthy’s “witch hunt” for communists – resonates well with all the political upheaval of today.
“The plays for each year are all selected at once by me and the ‘Theater Area Committee,’ said Rebollo. “This one in particular allows for a great variety, a contrast to previous shows, opening our eyes to what happens when free speech is attacked.”
Meramec students and community members auditioned for the play Aug. 22-23. Typically, auditions take three hours, said Rebello. The aspiring actors fill out information forms and cold read scripts individually or with another person.
“During this process, I focus a lot of attention on which character that person embodies best,” said Rebollo. “I don’epay attention to their extensive amount of experience or lack thereof. They might not even be enrolled here and that doesn’t hurt their chances.”
The first rehearsal occurs outside of the theater and the cast will gather in the studio or “greenroom” (a communal space for eating and relaxing). They read through the entirety of the play portraying whichever character they were cast as, while crews start measuring actors for costumes and visualizing the sets, said Rebello. For musicals, the beginning process is a little different. Along with “sides.” performers will need to have 16 measures of music prepared for that particular production. However, there is no required dancing experience.
Evan Turek, scholarship student who made it to the semifinals of KCACF (Kennedy Center American Collegiate Festival) said that there is no dancing in the shows here, but rather “choreographed movements.”
Turek has attended Meramec for three years and been in four of the five shows each year, (which includes the children’s show they put on for kids in the area during summer). In addition to the KCACF honor, he has also received an award for his vast achievements and time commitment, given to him at the end of the year banquet.
“The college chooses those who are exceptionally active and engaged,” said Turek. “The biggest shock was with the national competition. We are just a quaint little community college so it’s rare that any of us get that far. Only 50 people are chosen out of 300.”
He said that he was scouted out during one of his performances and from there he traveled to Iowa to audition with 10 others. He said he needed to have two songs and a scene prepared.
“What people don’t realize is that our theater is such a hidden gem,” said Turek. “Our shows are free first of all, which isn’t common. However. we do have a fundraiser during each show and last year we raised $2,000 a night with ‘Avenue Q’. Not too mention, our theater is bigger than the ones on Broadway.”
In addition, Turek said how much he admires Michelle Rebollo and her unflinching ability to take risks and help students grow to become better versions of themselves.
“I never thought in a million years I would be the lead role, but Michelle took a chance on me in ‘Avenue Q’, casting me as Princeton. It was so nerve racking but at the same time it was one of the best experiences of my life.”
His advice to wannabe performers: audition, audition, audition.
“It can be challenging to put yourself out there,” said Turek. “Keith Oliver (another director) asked me to sing something on the spot once during rehearsal. I was constantly questioning how prepared I was for all of this exposure.”
Regardless, he knows that bad days do happen, and claiming you’ve never had a bad acting experience would be the biggest lie imaginable, said Turek.
Kalen Riley, another theater student, also stresses the importance of taking chances. “I have been in more productions than I can count at Meramec and have learned so much from Michelle and Keith,” said Riley. “If you’re thinking about auditioning and are too scared, or too nervous, just try it. The absolute worst thing that could happen is you don’t get a part.”
There are various other opportunities alongside just acting or tech crews, such as joining theatre or improv clubs. In addition, you can also apply to be a director and work with Rebollo and Oliver.
“This requires previous experience and only two students are selected,” said Rebollo. “After an application and interview process, the chosen ones help direct a series of pre-selected plays.”
Due to the surplus of opportunities, Riley said that this program is like an “unsung hero.” It has propelled him to new heights.
“My work here helped me get accepted into Roosevelt University, one of the most competitive Conservatory programs in Chicago,” said Riley. “They only accept about 25 out of 2000 auditions and I was one of them.”
Riley said theater can have such an impact on diverse communities.
“We love theater because we all enjoy movies and hearing stories,” said Rebollo. “In today’s society it’s harder to stay united, but performing changes that. We gather together despite differing political views or backgrounds and come out on the other side more open-minded.”
According to Riley, freedom of expression is the greatest thing to gain and the worst thing to lose. “Excuse my bad ‘Crucible’ reference: anyone that doesn’t allow the population to enjoy that expression of life should be put on trial,” said Riley.
