Las Vegas Academy Theatre staff looks for dedicated actors

While browsing a Las Vegas Academy Facebook page, I came across an eighth-grader's remark that went something like this: "I'd like to study at Las Vegas Academy Theatre, but I heard you have to be really talented."

As a longtime audience member, I can affirm that talent plays a big role. But department chair and technical director John Morris -- who will be audition potential students later this month -- is carefully vague about what exactly "talent" means.

"We're not necessarily looking for singers," he says, "although singing helps. We understand that students are going to be nervous. And we're not looking for students who have been overcoached."

Far more important, Morris says, is attitude, preparedness and potential. The staff can tell if a hopeful is just going through the motions or is genuinely determined to become a part of the program.

"I recommend people rehearse by performing their monologues out loud several times to themselves and others," Morris says. "The more you do it, the more confident you'll be."

The staff isn't looking for perfection. It wants to see how a teenager might grow by being a part of the school.

There are some hard facts, though, and Morris says he doesn't want to "put stars" in anyone's eyes. The company accepts 45 to 60 performers (along with a small technical crew), and oftentimes, two-thirds of auditionees are not accepted. And there's a sad reality not only in schools but in the "real" world that males have an advantage.

(Acting auditions and technical interviews are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 21 and 28 at the Lowden Performing Arts Center. Appointments required.

There's plenty of additional information at lvacademytheatre.org/auditions.html

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at vegastheaterchat@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas