Theatre Company E is a big deal. First, this isn't actually "community theatre": this is professional. Second, they have an amazing history in American theatre.
After I was turned away from Theatre Company A's "As You Like It", I started poking around. A friend had mentioned Theatre Company E, so I checked their web page. Surprise: they have acting classes! I signed up, and I had a great experience. The class ended with us doing a showcase on their actual stage. One person in the class needed to drop out because of a family emergency, so I brought in my older son to fill his part.
Okay, the ball was now rolling!
That summer, Theatre Company E announced two auditions. One was for "American Tragedy", the other was for "Murder on the Nile". I was doing "Godspell" with Theatre Company B, and that conflicted with "American Tragedy". I was also going to be away during the audition for "Murder on the Nile", but they said they would give me a call when they do callbacks.
My older son auditioned for "American Tragedy". A few weeks later, we received a call: they need an extra (butler in one scene, worker in another, etc.), and they wondered if he could do it. I didn't have to ask him twice! He was definitely on-board. I, then, got a call for "Murder on the Nile": they wanted both my son and me for small parts in the beginning of the play!
I can understand the need for extras, but I didn't understand why they brought us in for "Murder on the Nile". I have my suspicions. From my participation in the class, they knew I could do the job. And . . . well . . . I have brown skin, and could pull off looking Egyptian.
If that is the case, then, for a nice change of pace, my skin color got me a part in a very prestigious theatre company! I can't complain about that!
As it is, I think Theatre Company E does keep an open mind. After "Murder on the Nile", we were asked to be in "Tiny Tim's Christmas", even though we seriously didn't look the part. Just recently, a friend of mine got a part in their "Christmas Carol" . . . she's blind! I wonder how many theatre companies would have given her a chance!
I'm becoming a bit of a fixture at Theatre Company E. I take classes there whenever I can, and I am getting a great deal out of them. I do wish I could be in more of their productions, though, but they are a repertory company so this sort of thing isn't common.
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