New Fall Play Audition Process

The Leesville Road High School theatre department is back in action while students prepare for auditions for the fall play, Anne of Green Gables.The play is based on the novel of the same name by L.M. Montgomery.

The show follows a young orphan named Anne who goes to stay with siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm: Green Gables. The Cuthbert’s originally wanted a boy, but decide to keep Anne around after she wins their hearts. The play follows Anne as she navigates new friendships, the challenges of growing up, and the world around her.

So what’s new about the audition process this year? 

In previous years, students were asked to memorize and perform a monologue in addition to performing cold reading from the script. Matthew Hurley, Leesville theatre teacher and director, said via email, “We are condensing the first round of auditions to one day from two. There was always an option to present a monologue, but this year that will be submitted beforehand through a self-tape versus being done live at the audition.” 

Hurley explained the reasoning behind this change was due to there being less students that typically audition for the play compared to the musical in the spring. This change also saves time at the in-person audition, making one day easier than splitting it up into two.

Bennett Durham, freshman, said, “I’m really excited about this [show].” 

Durham has been involved with theatre for around three years now, with her favorite role being Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Durham said, “I’ve seen Mean Girls, Sound of Music, and Freaky Friday; they were really good!” Aside from Leesville Road Middle School, Durham has also performed with a local theatre company, Starbright Youth Theatre.

Nina Whittington, junior, is also auditioning for the play. She said over text, “Auditions are the scariest part, but also the most exciting part of theatre! I’m always super nervous no matter what, and right after it’s so relieving, same thing with the cast list coming out.”

Whittington has been involved in theatre since she was eight years old participating in acting camps at Raleigh Little Theatre. Whittington has performed in multiple LRHS shows including, The Sound of Music, Mean Girls, Crush, and Freaky Friday. 

Whittington said, “I love how much it feels like a family here! Everyone is so welcoming and inclusive, making it a place you are excited to go to every single day.”

Hurley said, “I try my best to provide some variety in the type of shows we produce so that students have a variety of experience over their four years. Last year was science fiction. The year before was fantasy. With Anne of Green Gables being set in 1900, this takes us to a time period we haven’t done in my time at the school. It also has uplifting messages about wonder and hope.” Hurley is excited about both a new time period for the students to perform and also the audition process.

Auditions for Anne of Green Gables will be held on Wednesday, September 3 with callbacks on Thursday, September 4. 

For more information on how to audition, you can find Mr. Hurley in room 022 or visit his website at https://lrhstheatre.weebly.com/.