A directing class at BYU-Idaho held auditions this past Thursday for all actors and actresses beginning their theatrical journeys. Auditions worked toward students’ final showcase projects, allowing them the opportunity to direct and perform one-act plays of 10 to 15 minutes.
“Anybody outside the theatre department can audition and be a part of the event,” said Harley Gregory, an actress.
Each actor was asked to prepare a short monologue. If one was not yet prepared, the directors had options of monologues for the actors to choose from. Shared monologues ranged from theatrical scripts of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Newsies”, “Seagull”, “Coastal Disturbances” and more.
As student directors sat in a semi-circle in room 102 of the Eliza R. Snow Performing Arts Center, observing one audition at a time, the community actors and student actors prepared anxiously in the halls outside. Practicing lines, pacing the floor and taking the time for any pre-audition traditions, each actor and actress was actively engaged in the environment.
One actress, Katherine Hall, explained how this was not her first time auditioning for a short scene. To her, it’s not work — it’s passion.
“My first acting class exposure was in sixth grade and after that, I just loved it,” Hall said. “It’s fun to be chaotic and try new things, and it’s a really, really great group of people.”
Actors selected to participate in the one-act scenes will rehearse for 30 minutes twice a week for the remainder of the semester in preparation for the showcase. The showcase will not only benefit the actors and directors, but will allow an opportunity for the community to witness a theatrical event.
Trevor Hill, the professor of the class, has been a part of the BYU-I campus faculty since 2016. Providing guidance, assurance and encouragement to his students has let him witness successful creative directive scenes produced over the years.
“The student showcase is not only beneficial for the student directors and actors, but it is fun for people not only in our department but in other departments as well,” Hill said.
The student directors showcase will be held in July. Dates will be announced in the future. All are welcome to watch and support the student directors and actors. The event will provide an opportunity for all to become involved in the arts and be inspired.