Unified Auditions workshop seeks actors

It's a cattle call, but one that directors appreciate.

From 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, a special audition workshop/question-and-answer session will be held at Lance Hall at the Circular Congregational Church for Theatre Charleston's second annual Unified Auditions.

The actual auditions will be 1-6 p.m. April 17 at The Footlight Players Theatre downtown.

The group auditions offer Charleston's theatrical directors and producers the opportunity to plumb the area's pool of actors to fill an estimated 300 roles for the 2010-11 season.

Actors new to the area as well as established ones benefit from the exposure of the Unifieds, says Emily Wilhoit, executive director of the League of Charleston Theatres. "Due to time constraints, we rarely hold auditions for our work," says Sharon Graci, artistic director of Pure Theatre, "so we find the Unified Auditions extremely useful. We are introduced to actors whom we don't know, and also reminded of the excellent work being done by actors with whom we've not yet had an opportunity to work."

Among the theater companies participating are Pure Theatre, Village Playhouse, Actors' Theatre of South Carolina, Art Forms and Theatre Concepts, College of Charleston department of theater, Deuce Theatre, Footlight Players and Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions.

The actors will be afforded 90 seconds to use in whatever way they wish, with an accompanist provided if needed. Audition slots are first come, first served and are open solely to individual members of Theatre Charleston. Audition applications must be received by April 9. Membership is $25.

Wilhoit notes that the Unifieds are general auditions, and most theater companies will not cast directly from the auditions. Rather, they will be used as a guide to set up call-backs. For a few directors and producers, though, the Unifieds are their only "open" call and will draw their casts for their entire season from these actors.

The League of Charleston Theatres is an alliance of theater organizations created to "support, advocate and promote Charleston's theater industry both locally and nationally." To register, call 813-8578 or go online at www.theatrecharleston.com.