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Auditions for Christmas production coming up

On the cusp of Autumn, one would be hard-pressed to find someone preparing for Christmas. But, with the amount of work it takes to put together a professional stage performance, the sooner the better for local theatre group the Kaatza Lakeside Players.

On the cusp of Autumn, one would be hard-pressed to find someone preparing for Christmas.

But, with the amount of work it takes to put together a professional stage performance, the sooner the better for local theatre group the Kaatza Lakeside Players.

Auditions for their annual pre-Christmas production begin next week, with a call-out for 17 youth and 10 adult roles to fill.

“I’m looking for strong voices, and kids brave enough to tackle that on stage,” Kaatza Lakeside Players artistic director Dena McPhee said.

This year’s pre-Christmas show is less elaborate than the past two year’s pantomimes, sticking instead to a more traditional comedic Christmas farce.

“It’s not over the top like the pantomimes,” McPhee said.

The play, titled The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, is about putting together a Christmas pageant with a group of trouble-making kids in its cast.

“They’re rotten kids,” McPhee said, adding that young actors should have a great deal of fun with the roles.

In addition to comedic dialogue, the play includes quite a bit of singing, with some opportunities for actors to sing solos.

With a stronger focus on child actors than adults, McPhee said that this will be the perfect opportunity for first-time actors to learn more about the theatre’s ins and outs.

“It’s basically a free theatre program,” she said.

Shortly after the actor auditions, there will be a lights, costumes, and general back-stage education and auditions night.

The Lakeside Players’ first attempt at such an event, the public will be invited to learn from long-time theatre volunteers what the less visible theatre personnel do.

Rehearsals will take place Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Cowichan’s Centennial Hall.

“So come and see what it’s all about,” McPhee encouraged.

Rehearsals will begin at the same location the following Tuesday, and will continue Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until the November 23 to 27 performances.