By Emily Lockard //edits by Q
Are you interested in joining the theatre scene at Pensacola State? PSC stages many awe-inspiring performances inside the Ashmore Auditorium, and everyone’s excited for the upcoming musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! So, how can you, as a student, get involved? PSC Director of Theatre and inductee into the FCSAA Theatre Division Hall of Fame, Dr. Rodney Whatley, shares how students can make the most of the theatre experience PSC provides.
TO ATTEND:
PSC students are given FREE tickets to all PSC performances, including concerts, speakers, plays, musicals, and dance troops. Go to the Ticket Office located in Building 8 with your PSC Student ID to obtain your free ticket and reserve your seat! Be sure to get your ticket early before all seats are taken.
More information about upcoming shows can be found under Performing Arts on the Lyceum tab found on the college’s main website, including how to buy tickets for non-PSC students.
FOR AUDITIONS:
PSC typically performs one musical during the fall semester and two plays during the spring: one serious play early in the spring semester, and one comedy later on. Auditions for these performances are hosted sometime during the first few weeks of the respective semester. Auditions are open for EVERYONE, not just theatre majors—and not just PSC students!
If you’re interested in auditioning for a performance, you should have a prepared song, a memorized monologue, and be prepared for movement tests for the musicals and be prepared for a cold reading for the plays (cold reading is when you are given a script, and possibly assigned a partner, during the audition to perform with little or no time to prepare).
Audition dates can be found on flyers around campus or on the PSC Performing Arts Department’s social media (such as Facebook).
More information about how else to prepare for PSC auditions can be found under the Theatre AA tab on the PSC performing arts website, accessible through the Lyceum tab found on the college’s main website.
FOR THEATRE MAJOR/THEATRE TRACK STUDENTS:
If you are a theatre major or on the theatre track, you are NOT REQUIRED to take part in any performances to graduate, though it is strongly recommended that you do—especially if you plan to pursue a higher education or a career in theatre, as it serves as a means for you to hone your craft and receive recognition for your skills.
As said before, you do not have to be a theatre major to audition for any PSC performances.
TECHNICAL THEATRE:
PSC’s technical theatre (who manage lighting, sound, staging, etc.) is led by the Technical Director, Lance Brannon. Technical theatre runs the technical aspects for performances hosted in the Ashmore Auditorium for the PSC Lyceum Series performances as well as mentors and assists students from high schools who rent the auditorium for their performances. While technical theatre is primarily volunteer-based, paid positions are available! Technical theatre runs during the afternoons (around 1-5 PM), and they are looking for anyone interested in building sets or joining the tech groups for the physical shows!
For more information on PSC’s technical theatre, contact Technical Director Lance Brannon in Building 8.
Have more questions about getting involved with PSC theatre? Contact Director of Theatre Dr. Rodney Whatley in Building 8 for more information.