By Gina Malone
On Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, the Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) presents a unified audition connecting local actors, singers, dancers and theater technicians with theaters throughout Western North Carolina. The event is free, but requires pre-registration, and will be held at Ferguson Auditorium on the Asheville campus of A-B Tech.
Although similar audition events have been held in Asheville, this will be the first for ATA, and organizers hope to make it an annual event. “We have found that so many of the organizations and individuals that make up ATA perceive a boundary that just doesn’t exist,” says Jeff Catanese, president and co-founder, with Rose Pillmore, of ATA. “These auditions allow a company in Hendersonville to see, and potentially cast, someone from Weaverville whom they might not have otherwise.” Other benefits include potential marketing tie-ins for theaters and the convenience for performers of auditioning in one place for multiple roles.
Alexa Edelman has worked with a number of theaters in WNC over the last 10 years. Early in her acting career, she participated in similar large-scale auditions. She commends ATA for its community-mindedness. A recent mixer event earned her a role in a production by the Montford Park Players. “Had it not been for the Alliance, I would have been unaware of the opportunity,” she says. “Now that they are establishing a unified audition, I have much greater exposure to be seen by other local theaters that either I would not have had the time to go to separately, or, for some, I didn’t even know of their existence. Plus,” she adds, “I really hate auditioning, so now I only have to do it once!”
Chandler Peveto, too, participated in similar events in his college days, but says that this will be on a much larger scale and includes many theaters he would have auditioned for anyway in the coming year. As a relative newcomer to Asheville, he has worked with theaters in Asheville, Mars Hill, Tryon and Saluda, and wants to continue to establish himself in the WNC theater scene.
“With multiple theaters signing up to attend, I can get my name out there to places I haven’t worked with before and network into those locations, which could help me in the future if I plan to audition for their next season,” Peveto says. “It also takes some of the stress off of me for auditions since I am able to present myself in a unified approach.” Although, he adds, preparing for the event requires work so that he does present himself in the best way possible as an actor and a singer. “With all that being said, I’m looking forward to introducing myself to other actors and directors, getting a better understanding of the theater scene here in WNC,” he says.
In addition to auditions for stage performers and technicians, ATA invites those interested in volunteering to attend the event on February 1. “There are so many people who love theater and just want to help,” Catanese says, “but might not be aware of what opportunities exist. This is a chance for everyone to meet in a relaxed and friendly circumstance.”
Registration is open through Thursday, January 15, for all ATA members and, pending availability, opens for non-members on Thursday, January 1. Learn more at AshevilleTheaterAlliance.org/arta.
