Auditioning for First Year Players’ production of ‘Fame’ is more like trying out for a family than a musical cast. This tight-knit theater organization will host its spring musical auditions on Jan. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m in the Hall of Languages.

FYP is SU’s theater group for freshmen and transfer students within non-drama majors. The group has been on campus for 16 years and has performed shows such as ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Follies.’ The organization is entirely student-run, with upperclassmen managing production, show direction, music direction, set creation, hair and make-up, costume design and public relations. The first-years perform the rest.

Junior Alex Rabinowitz, from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is the upperclassman directing this year’s production and said he is looking forward to a cast of motivated, ambitious performers who share a love of the theater.

‘FYP is an experience and opportunity like no other on this campus, and because the show we’ve picked is about performers, it’s going to really resonate with anyone who comes out to audition,’ Rabinowitz said.

‘Fame’ relates the story of vibrant high school students at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts that explores issues including prejudice, identity and perseverance. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Apr. 3, 4 and 5 in Goldstein Auditorium.

Sign-up sheets for auditions are posted in FYP’s office, cubicle E in Schine’s Office of Student Life. Students auditioning are expected to prepare a one-minute monologue and a full musical-theater song.

After a seven-minute audition, choreographer Katlyn Morahan will teach a dance routine that each student performs in turn. An accompanist will be provided, but students must bring sheet music and comfortable ‘movement’ clothing to the auditions.

Co-producers Sammy Kanter, and Jessie Dawson are looking to generate a cast of about 25 committed performers who are willing to attend rehearsals three to four evenings a week.

‘FYP is definitely a strong commitment, but we’re very flexible with night classes and other commitments like rush and pledging,’ Kanter, a junior newspaper major, said. ‘Everyone who has an interest in becoming a part of FYP should audition. It’s an enriching activity, it helps you make friends and it’s a good confidence builder.’

Stage Manager Sara Nicolodi, a junior English textual studies and education major, expects the cast will put on a professional show. In her second year with FYP, she encourages first-years looking for their niche at SU to come out and audition.

‘It’s like joining a family. You get to work with all these new people, and everyone is really helpful and cares about each other,’ Nicolodi said.

Junior Christine Miller, public relations director of FYP, recognizes the importance of providing non-drama majors with an opportunity to become involved in a performance organization at SU.

‘At SU, sometimes it’s hard to get involved in theater if you’re not a theater major, so this is a good opportunity for students who are interested in music and theater,’ Miller said. ‘This is just a chance to do what we enjoy; it’s our passion.’

Throughout the fall semester, FYP held two dance, two acting and two singing workshops for students interested in auditioning for the spring production or for students who simply wanted to participate in performance activities during the semester.

Freshman Rebecca Kirschner, from the College of Ecology, said she enjoyed attending the workshops and plans to audition for ‘Fame.’

‘I want to be part of FYP because I feel that I need to stay connected to theater here at SU,’ Kirschner said. ‘I have also made some of my closest friends through their workshops.’

Co-producer Dawson, a graduate student in early childhood special education, asks for anyone who is interested in being a part of the production to come to auditions, even if they aren’t completely confident.

‘If there’s an area you don’t feel comfortable with, put your best foot forward and show us what you’re willing to be,’ said Dawson. ‘You never get anywhere without trying.’

Published on January 16, 2008 at 12:00 pm