Fairmount Center hosts workshop on auditioning

Happy New Year, everybody! Yeah, yeah. I know. A little late in the game for that, seeing as 2020 is already over three weeks old and not altogether happy at that, depending on who you ask.

Nevertheless, I hope that the same enthusiasm that you greeted the new year with is still sticking with you so far. I, for one, was asleep when the ball came down, missing it for the first time since I was a kid. So I’m not sure how much enthusiasm I greeted it with myself, but that’s another story!

Regardless of how 2020 has started this new decade for you, it’s not too late to try something new. Perhaps reading this column over the past 16 years (!) has finally convinced you that it is time that your kid — or you! — get off the sidelines and get under the lights yourself!

It may be the dead of winter, but spring musical fever is well underway for our area young thespians as many schools either have already started working on shows that we will be talking about in a few weeks or months, or may be auditioning them soon.

I myself just auditioned the Madison High School spring musical this past week. (More on that later this year!)

If you have a young thespian that is thinking of auditioning for the first time, there is a helpful opportunity coming up this weekend that may be perfectly timed to help you get started.

Professional actors Nancy McNulty and Tim McGeever present “Auditioning: From Community Theatre to Broadway” from 1 to 4 p.m., Jan. 25, at Fairmount Center for the Arts.

McNulty and McGeever will give young actors ages 12-18 insight on what it’s like to be a professional actor and give pointers on nailing their next audition.

The workshop is divided into two sections. The first two hours focuses on audition techniques and strategies for booking the role. The last hour focuses on the actors’ careers that have taken them all over the world, working in film, television and on stage.

Ample time will be included for students to ask questions, and for McNulty and McGeever to talk to parents about ways to support their aspiring thespians.

Among McNulty’s extensive theater credits are the Williamstown Theater Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre, Sundance Theater Festival,

The Actors Studio, The Public Theatre, New York Stage & Film, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and The Lucille Lortel Theater. She holds a master’s degree from The New School and is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. She is a dialects coach in Pittsburgh.

McGeever received his training at The Juilliard School. His Broadway credits include “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Off-Broadway, he has performed at a multitude of locations, including Lincoln Center, Roundabout Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, Quantum Theater and Kinetic Theater.

He played Zazu on the national tour of “The Lion King.” In addition to acting, he is a director, writer, coach and teacher.

The three-hour workshop fee is $25 per attendee. Parents are invited to attend the last hour of the workshop for free.

Pre-registration for this workshop is not required but strongly encouraged as workshop size is limited. To register, call 440-338-3171 or visit fairmountcenter.org. This program is made possible due to generous support from Melanie and Toby Maloney.

Fairmount Center for the Arts is located at 8400 Fairmount Road in Russell Township.

Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@ windstream.net, follow me @ StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.