National Outdoor Drama Auditions set for March 13

TO REGISTER

National Outdoor Drama Auditions applicants must register online at http://outdoordrama.unc.edu/auditions. There is a $60 nonrefundable fee; the deadline for registration is Feb. 26. Call (919) 962-1328 or e-mail outdoor@unc.edu for more information.

Companies, dramas and sites seeking personnel will be:

n "Horn in the West," Boone, N.C.

n "The Lost Colony," Manteo, N.C., also casting for "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Tale of the Frog Prince."

n Snow Camp Historical Drama Society Inc., Snow Camp, casting four plays including "The Sword of Peace" and "Pathway to Freedom."

n "Tecumseh!" Chillicothe, Ohio.

n "Texas Musical Drama," Canyon, Texas.

n Theatre West Virginia of Beckley, casting four plays including: "Honey in the Rock" and "Hatfields and McCoys."

n Ohio Outdoor Drama Association, New Philadelphia, Ohio, casting three plays including "Trumpet in the Land" and "White Savage."

n "Unto These Hills," Cherokee, N.C.

n Walk In The Light Productions, Bath, N.C.

UNC News Service

CHAPEL HILL -- Actors, singers, dancers and technicians are invited to audition for next summer's outdoor historical dramas on March 13 at UNC. Auditions are open to anyone 18 years or older with theater experience.

"Outdoor drama provides the perfect opportunity for young artists to hone their skills," said Rob Franklin Fox, director of the Institute of Outdoor Drama, a public service arm of the University. "For more than 40 years, the National Outdoor Drama Auditions have been sponsored by the institute and have sparked the professional careers of talented performers."

William Ivey Long, a five-time Tony Award winner, and Oscar winners Louise Fletcher, Denzel Washington, Goldie Hawn and UNC alumnus Andy Griffith all have performed in outdoor historical dramas.

In 2009, students from 72 colleges and universities from 20 states attended the annual auditions. Approximately one-third of those who tried out were cast in last summer's outdoor dramas.

"It is here that many in the theater world land their first professional job," Fox said. "Each spring, hundreds of young theater artists from all over the southeastern United States make a pilgrimage to Chapel Hill, hoping to impress the directors and producers who cast the country's professional outdoor dramas."

This year, representatives of nine theater companies will be at UNC's Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road, casting for more than 20 outdoor productions. Typical contracts offered will last nine to 12 weeks in June, July and August.¬