The Marion County Civic Theater is being brought back to life, and auditions for its first production are set for next week.
Organizer Carlton Thornhill said auditions will begin Tuesday at 6 p.m. until completed and again at 6 p.m. May 10. They’ll continue May 12 from 9 a.m. until noon and 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Marion County Development Partnership office on Courthouse Square.
“We will be preparing for an original production,” he said. “We want to bring in every area of the arts. We’re calling it ‘The Greatest Show.’ We’re trying not to leave anything out. We’re looking for vocals, acting, film and visual arts, including painting. I’m trying to make it different.”
The show will be performed on stage at the Crystelle Ford Auditorium at Columbia High School.
“We’re actually doing a part that will be filmed and shown on the screen,” Thornhill said. “We’re going to be addressing themes and songs from life — life, death, religion, patriotism and so on. We’ll also be covering school subjects such as bullying. We’ll show film, have a song, film and so on. We will tie it all together.”
Those auditioning can do a variety of things, according to Thornhill.
“You can prepare a dramatic piece, you can sing,” he said. “We will have an accompanist or you can bring a CD. You can also come volunteer as a set builder or work behind the scenes. Because we don’t have a community theater space, rehearsals could be anywhere. We may end up in the street or at a business. For anyone that sponsors us, you’ll be featured in a vignette that will be filmed at that place. We’ll also include some funny stuff.”
Thornhill said the show will also present several other opportunities.
“We’re going to have a flash mob downtown,” he said. “It will be on film and we’ll use whatever area of the arts is depicted. There will never be a more inclusive show. I won’t be writing the show until after the
auditions, however, there are several things that I already know. If something comes in, I may change it. It’s going to be something different about life.”
Thornhill encourages all ages to audition and become a part of the show.
“I want it to reflect our community,” he said. “I’ve already gotten a lot of responses. We had community theater before, and it’s been more than a decade. It’s long overdue.”
Thornhill encouraged people to show up at the open auditions or contact him at (601) 408-5165 for more information.
“You can come and fill out a form and audition,” he said. “We may have another round of open auditions before it is done. Everyone who wants to participate will participate. We’ll even have some special guests from out of town. It will be a one-time shot, and it will be fun.”
Thornhill said he hopes to continue with the performances at different times of the year.
“I want a show at Christmas,” he said. “We also have big plans for Freedom Fest in July. I want to pull in participants from every direction. We’ll have plays, musicals and other even. There are so many folks who could share.
“Our young people have so much to offer. I want to see a crossover where students from Columbia Academy, Columbia, East Marion
and West Marion work together. Arts is the way to do that.”
Pictured Above: Auditions will be held next week for the Marion County Civic Theater’s upcoming production, ‘The Greatest Show.’ | Photo Submitted
