High School Students Can Be in 'Rent'

Area high school students have the opportunity to perform in "Rent (School Edition)" on the Wallman Hall stage as part of a new initiative through the Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts.

As part of the new Center for Arts Engagement, the School of Fine Arts is establishing a Conservatory for community instruction in the arts, including a Town and Gown Youth Company that focuses on workshops and theatre productions for the youth of Marion and surrounding counties.

The first production for the Town and Gown Youth Company was the summer production of "Once on This Island, Jr." at Prickett's Fort. The second will be "Rent (School Edition)."The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning show is a modern adaptation of Puccini's opera "La Boheme," which will end a 12-year run on Broadway this September. High school students who would like to participate will be required to audition and will be offered workshops in acting, singing and dancing. Students must be enrolled in high schools in Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston or Taylor counties and must be between the ages of 14 and 19. Students do not have to have any previous theatre experience.

Auditions are set for Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon and Sunday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in Wallman Hall on the main campus. Call-back dates will be announced later. Those who audition must be available for both audition dates and must bring proof of their enrollment in high school. Show dates will be Jan. 22-25, 2009.

Students can sign up for auditions through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22822782700. For more information, call (304) 367-4219.