Spring auditions for the NSU Theatre Company approach

Hailey Ross
TNE Writer
The NSU Theatre Company will be having auditions for an upcoming production of
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Students do not have to be a theatre major or
minor to audition.

I always get really nervous before I go on stage for my audition, especially if it is for a
character that Im dying to be, said Nicole McManus, Pryor freshman. Ill admit this
year I havent auditioned for anything because I have been intimidated by the idea of
losing out to a theatre major student, but I am very excited and ready for this audition and
play.

This is a comedic play written by Christopher Durang about three middle-aged siblings.
Their theatre-buff parents gave them each names inspired by Chekhovs characters. This
comedic play revolves mostly around the relationships of the siblings.

Vanya and Sonya live together in their family home in Pennsylvania; the story really
begins when their third sibling Masha who has brought with her a much younger lover
named Spike visits them. From this point on the play goes into varies themes of envy,
lust, betrayal and sympathy, all tied together with comedic spin.

This play was first performed off Broadway in 2012. It gained recognition and had sold
out shows and then was preformed on Broadway the following year. The play won a Tony
Award at the 67 Tony Award shows for best play.

The auditions will be for all six characters. There are two boy characters and four girl
characters to choose from. Students will need to have ready a two-minute performance
for the audition and will fill out a questionnaire regarding to what the performer is willing
and not willing to do on stage.

I plan on auditioning for the part of Vanya, I feel like I could really get into his
character, said Jake Heckadon, Owasso sophomore. I just transferred to NSU this
spring, and didnt think I would get the chance to audition for a play until next fall, but I
got lucky. I think I will perform a minute monologue to show my serious side, then for
the other minute try to make the judges fall out of their seat from laughter.

This play will be directed by Scott Pursley, and will have its first performance in April.
This is also an opportunity for students to get involved with the NSU Theatre Company,
by volunteering for behind the scene jobs, such as, but not limited to, building props,
lighting, costume design and other various jobs.

Students can join the theatre company who are not theatre majors and take theatre
classes, said Chris Miller, theatre assistant professor. Most people are going to get
involved in anyway shape or form, other then simply performing on stage.

Audition will be between 3-5 p.m. Feb. 4, at the NSU Playhouse, south of campus.
For more information, call (918) 444-2789.
Published 1/29/15

Courtesy photo NSU facebook.