To some Winona State University students, Wednesday is the typical hump day.
One class is hoping to make this Wednesday more exciting.
Student directors are looking for 23 students to perform in their projects, with auditions running from 4 to 6 p.m. today in the Performing Arts Center’s Magnus Theatre.
Meggan Massie, theatre and journalism major and student director, said that participants need not prepare a piece.
“Just come and try out,” she said. “Most people have never been on the stage before, and it’s a really good opening experience for acting.”
David Bratt, theatre and dance chairperson and class instructor, said students don’t need previous acting experience, but they must be able to devote two to three weeks to the scenes.
Massie added that students may watch first if they feel apprehensive.
Students will perform only for the class and their friends, which makes it easier, she said.
It also helps participants to know that even directors get scared, Bratt said.
“Everyone else is nervous too,” he said. “The student directors will do their best to make people comfortable.”
Massie agreed, admitting that directing can be overwhelming.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” she said. “It’s a huge part of our grade.”
The work may be challenging, but it’s still fun to try new things, Massie said.
“It’s another way of expressing ourselves as artists,” she said. “This is a cool experience for me because I’ve been in scenes before. Looking at it from a new perspective is interesting.”
Massie encourages anyone to audition, especially men.
There are 11 male roles available, but few men try out, she said.
Ambitious students may consider taking multiple roles.
During auditions, potential actors will complete an application to tell their availability and interests.
Applications will ask them if they would like to take one role or several, Massie said.
Pieces range from classics from 150 years ago to contemporary American playwrights, including Beth Henley, Henrick Ibsen, Clifford Odets, August Strindburg, Lanford Wilson and Paul Zindel.
Students will perform the scenes from March 5 to 10.
Bratt said that students learn from one another through acting and directing.
“[Student directors] learn how to communicate better with someone else about the vision they have, and student actors can use it as a way to get more active in theatre,” he said.
As a bonus incentive, the university offers credit to students who participate in the projects.
If participants enroll in next fall’s Theatre Activities, they will receive credit toward the course.
For more information, contact David Bratt at 457-5241.