Hairspray

Where the breakdown of social construct meets hip dance moves, all you need is a whole lot of beauty product to hold it together.

Auburn Area Community Theatre is having auditions for its first musical, "Hairspray," and the choice of this production wasn't made just because of its popularity or potential for encompassing a large cast.

"We chose this particular play because of its racial balance," said Barbara Stauffer-Brewi, managing director. "In order to even be able to do Hairspray, you have to sign on the contract ... that you won't swap out characters--that you'll maintain the racial balance."

Stauffer-Brewi said participation in the AACT by African-Americans has been historically low. They hope to begin to change this with the production.

"Any time you have a part of your community missing in what you're doing, it diminishes you," Stauffer-Brewi said. "We want to broaden and reach out."

Recruitment is in the job description for artistic board member Malcolm Webster, who has been involved in community theatre for years.

"I think part of it goes to stereotypes," Webster said. "A lot of African-Americans don't do theatre ... A lot of times you might have a person who's interested in theatre--who's a young black person--who doesn't do that because that's not talked about or encouraged."

A myriad of roles are available, from principal roles like Tracy and Link, to positions in the dance choir and musicians. There will be a place for everyone in this production--if you at least know your right foot from your left.

"You don't have to have had training in dance," said choreographer Kelly Davino, junior in theatre. "We're going to find something for you to do."

Including everyone, Webster said, is what community theatre is all about.

"With this show, you're bringing more people in than we've ever had before," Webster said. "You might not realize that person standing there is a star waiting to be born."

Auditions will be Sept. 6-7 from 6-8 p.m at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Participants should prepare to sing a 30-second to one-minute a capella segment of any song that will show their range. They should also dress to dance.

Of course, there may be a special role for someone with the right qualifications.

"I would love to be able to do 'Hairspray' as it has traditionally been done, with Tracy's mother Edna being in drag," Stauffer-Brewi said. "If we can't, we can't--I'll cast it some other way--but I would really like to do that."

Webster said they have also been contacting black churches, the Auburn University Black Student Union and the National Panhellenic Council to solicit participation.

"I think it's going to be very interesting for the community," Stauffer-Brewi said.

Even if you've never acted before, getting up on stage may open new horizons, Davino said.

"It really helps you to understand other people, other cultures, other societies," Davino said.

And being in theatre means being on an even playing field, even if you are untrained.

"There is a bond among theatre people--thespians--that transcends their socio-economic (status), their race, their place in society," Stauffer-Brewi said. "In the theatre, everybody stands on equal ground."

For more information visit www.auburnact.org.