REGINA – The theatre is alive with the sound of music as performers auditioned for a chance to join Saskatchewan Express’ annual provincial summer tour.
With up to 15 spots available in the tour, many are stepping onto the Saskatchewan Express stage for the first time including Adelle Sawatzky who drove in from Kindersley, Sask.
“Since I was little, my parents have taken me camping and we’ve seen Sask. Express shows and they’ve come to my school and I always thought they were so cool and I was like ‘I could do that,’ so I decided to audition today,” said Sawatzky.
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Some singers are vying to re-join the troupe this summer. Ryan Ramsay is auditioning for his second year on tour.
“I decided to come back because I realized the stage is really the place I love to be and I realized that last year with Express,” Ramsay said.
But first, they must survive the tough audition process. Each performer must do an interview, sing three songs and recite a monologue of their choice. Despite the lengthy list of requirements, it’s a welcoming process.
“We don’t ever want anyone to go away from here saying you know, this was a really terrible thing that they had to go through,” said Carol Gay Bell, artistic director for Saskatchewan Express.
Saskatchewan Express has auditioned thousands of aspiring performers during its 36 years of operation with over 600 performers touring with the company. Many who participate in the program continue on to achieve successful careers in the performing arts including parts at the Globe Theatre and on Broadway.
“We give you training, we give you opportunities like these young people get to do between 35 and 50 shows in a summer,” Gay Bell said.
“It was unlike anything that I have ever done before. I got to meet so many new people and I got to perform way more than I ever had to do before,” Ramsay added.
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