Volunteers
Lend Your Talents to a GRAND Effort!
There are many ways you can participate that match your interests!
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Contact the business office at 588-4356 for more information
Leadership Positions
The Grand is always looking for new persons to participate as directors, actors, costumers, stage hands,technical assistance and virtually all phases of the theater. In many cases no experience is necessary. Your interest, enthusiasm and dedication are of primary importance. There are positions that require a high level of experience.
Director:
To direct a production at the Grand a college major or minor in theater or a substantial resume of successful productions where you were the primary director is essential. Our patrons and contributors expect a level of quality that is generally achieved only under the leadership of experienced and highly qualified direction. Â
A director must have great communication, organization and leadership skills. The director must keep everyone involved informed about what to do and when to do it. Theatre is a team project and the director is the project leader.
A director is the brain that starts everything and keeps it going. Organizing auditions, rehearsals, set design, costume and prop design, along with about a thousand other tasks in a very finite schedule leading up to opening night and the closing night takes a lot of work, planning, and organization.
Musical Director:
The complex nature of musical direction likewise requires a person with a major or minor degree in music or a substantial resume of successful productions. The music director teaches the singers their parts, and then coaches them in the phrasing, pacing and intent of each song. The Music Director hires and rehearses the orchestra musicians and very often plays in the pit. In some productions the Musical Director accompanies during the rehearsals of a production, but many times a dedicated rehearsal accompanist is hired for that purpose. The Music Director must work closely with the Director, Choreographer, and Producer.
Choreographer:
The choreographer creates and arranges the dances in a musical production and works closely with the Director and Musical Director to form an artistic whole. The choreographer auditions performers and teaches them a dance at rehearsals. A good choreographer works in all forms of dance, including classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, folk, ethnic, and ballroom. They must be knowledgeable not only about dance techniques but also about music, costumes, lighting, and drama. This is a highly skilled position. Choreographers are usually former dancers with years of experience working in the theater or with dance companies. A college degree in dance is preferred, but not required. It is very important for choreographers to help the actors/dancers develop their sense of rhythm and their understanding of the music. A good choreographer has self-discipline, patience, commitment, and perseverance and the ability to train persons with varying levels of talent. The choreographer must remember that this is community theater, but we expect it to be very good community theater.
Auditions
Who May Audition?
Anyone may audition for a Grand Opera House production. All performers are
volunteers. Some come to the Grand Opera House with a lot of experience—others are
first-timers. No experience is required. All roles are cast from the broadest ethnic
spectrum.
When Are Auditions?
Auditions are generally scheduled five to seven weeks prior to a show's opening. You
need only audition once, but are welcome to attend both evenings. Sometimes additional
nights will be used for "call-backs." We normally audition one show at a time.
How Are Auditions Conducted?
For non-musicals auditioners are usually asked to read scenes from the script. Depending
on the nature of the production, the director may ask everyone to read the same scene or
may have a number of scenes to read. Directors also utilize improv exercises in some
auditions. At the audition, the director is looking for general characteristics, technique,
and the ability to work with others.
In musicals we often will break the auditions into separate dance and singing
components. Depending on the nature of the show, the music director may specify certain
audition pieces for individual roles and provide sheet music ahead of time for auditioners
to prepare. Other times, the music director will teach the music at the auditions and
therefore no preparation is needed. For big dance shows, we will often schedule a dance
workshop prior to auditions in order to prepare.
Preparing to Audition
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the script ahead of time. Scripts are
available from the Grand's business office and may be checked out for three-day periods.
Feel free to talk with the director prior to auditions to ask about the play and what is
being looked for in various roles. Keep an open mind and try not to "pre-cast" yourself.
Be enthusiastic-when the director asks for volunteers, jump right in. Remember—
perfection is not expected at auditions—so have fun!
Rehearsals
A typical rehearsal schedule is 7 to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 2 to 4 pm
Sundays. Non-musicals generally rehearse four or five weeks, musicals will rehearse 6 to
8 weeks. Depending on your role, you may not be required to attend every rehearsal the
first few weeks.