The stage in the Janet Root Theater (JRT) explodes to life when all spotlights are properly cast upon it, leaving room for students to express themselves through song, dance, and anything creative. Even though it’s known for housing the weekly Monday Morning Meetings, the JRT wins students over with each musical it stages and will soon sparkle again with the new spring musical: The Addams Family.

     As Shorecrest gears up for its highly anticipated production, all the boxes need to be checked before the process begins, thus introducing: the audition process. To provide insight into this experience, three students shared their motivations, challenges, and advice for aspiring performers as they hoped to earn themselves a spot on the cast list for the performance.

     For freshman Sanjay Sinha, auditioning for The Addams Family was a low-pressure opportunity, thanks to the support of friends. However, it doesn’t guarantee it to be stress-free. One of the biggest challenges for him was overcoming his nerves. 

     “Yes, it is low stakes, but one can still be nervous when performing for an audience, especially when singing,” Sinha said. Despite this, he felt good throughout the process. For future auditionees, Sinha’s advice is practical: “First, make sure your schedule can accommodate the time and you’re okay with the commitment, but besides that, just do it because it’s not like you’re going to regret it.”

     Junior Alex Lewis has a passion for theater and was motivated to audition due to her love for performing and relationship with directors US Performing Arts Producer & Thespian Director Michael McCarthy and US Dance Instructor Jill Godfrey.

     Lewis prepared by watching different productions of The Addams Family on YouTube and reviewing some of the songs in hopes that her studying would pay off. She auditioned for Alice Beineke–a supporting role of a lonely house-wife archetype–which, although exciting, also happened to be outside of her comfort zone. “I believed that I could do it, and it would be really fun to try,” she said. 

     Lewis received valuable feedback from the directors. “They encouraged me to make myself stand out and take risks that would make me a good fit for the character,” she said. 

     Thrilled to be cast as Alice, she’s looking forward to exploring the character’s songs and attitude. Lewis encourages others to try theatre, even if it’s not a career goal. “Having public speaking skills and being part of a cast can be very valuable life skills,” she said. 

     For junior Tanner Johnson, auditioning has become an annual tradition. “I love how open the community is. Everyone is so kind and amazing,” he said. To prepare, he watched a few high school productions and listened to songs from the show. Despite his experience, he found the process stressful, particularly with so many others auditioning for the same parts. In the end, his nerves eased during the audition and he felt better afterward, knowing he’d done his best. 

     Even though Johnson was excited to be cast as Gomez, he became overwhelmed once he realized the demands of the role. Nonetheless, Johnson is excited to work with the talented cast and directors in hopes that the show will be as perfect as he imagines.

     “Everyone working on the show is putting in so much effort,” said Johnson, “I know it’s going to be an amazing show.” His advice to future auditionees is to embrace the fun and take risks without fearing judgment. “It’s a fun environment where we can all share a laugh, so don’t be afraid to go out there and be silly,” he said. “Also, it’s okay to be nervous; everyone in the room feels the same way. Don’t let your nerves stop you from being great.”