Trying Out 

It may be true that “All the world’s a stage,” as Jacques intones in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. But it’s also true that most actual stages require auditions. In Randolph next month, the Vermont Association of Theatre and Theatre Artists is offering dozens of them. Upward of 75 aspiring actors can be scheduled during the annual, daylong event. For its silver anniversary, points out codirector Ronni Lopez, VATTA has a brand-new location: the Chandler Center for the Arts. After holding court at St. Michael’s College for many years, Lopez hopes the central location will make the event more convenient for participants from southern Vermont.

Thespians who apply will be required to present two monologues, plus “16 bars of a song if you want to sing,” says Lopez, before a panel of theater professionals. The panel then gives its evaluation. With any luck, the actor walks away with the promise of a paying gig in a show.

There’s a parallel interview process for nonactor theater peeps, such as lighting and design technicians, who have the same goal of finding work.

Lopez concedes that attendance at the VATTA event has declined a bit in recent years — last year, just 30-odd folks showed up. Why? “I don’t know,” she admits. “We’ve had pretty consistent producers.” Lopez, who codirects VATTA with actor G. Richard Ames, acknowledges that small theater groups around the state may simply not have the time to commit beyond their own organizations. “I understand how people feel about driving to these things,” she says of the audition-and-interview event.

Still, for individuals looking to break into show biz, or build on current careers, VATTA offers a stage and a chance to act out.

VATTA Statewide Auditions & Interviews Event. Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph. To apply, call 355-4015, email [email protected] or click here.