Arts center sets early registration for ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’

EL DORADO — To kick off auditions for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the South Arkansas Arts Center will be hosting early registration from 6 until 8 p.m. on Thursday. This is an alternative way to register, rather than in the 30 minute time slot before auditions on at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Music director, Chris McCroskey, will be at SAAC during early registration and said he wants to meet anyone who is auditioning and answer any music audition questions. Auditioners using sheet music should attend early registration to talk with McCroskey and review tempos and other aspects of the audition piece.

Persons who cannot attend early registration and are using sheet music, are asked to arrive to the audition early to discuss with McCroskey. Those planning on using accompaniment from cell phones, MP3 players, or CD’s are still encouraged to attend to talk with McCroskey.

Thursday evening will also be a time to get a basic headshot, if needed. A headshot is required for all auditioners and a SAAC photographer will snap photos for the audition. Headshots will also be taken during registration on audition nights.

Measurements will be taken at early registration so the costumers can start working as soon as the cast is announced. Those who do not attend and are cast in the show will need to return to SAAC after the cast list is announced to have measurements taken.

All adult and teenage auditioners should be prepared to sing a musical theatre piece all the way through, however memorization is not required. Kids ages 7-12, auditioning for the children’s ensemble, are welcome to sing a musical theatre piece, but may also sing something familiar from school or church. Every auditioner is encouraged to sing a piece they are comfortable with so auditions are not stressful.