Calling all singers, musicians and artists: Kean Theatre Council is hosting auditions for their Cabaret Cocoa and Chill fundraiser to benefit The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey. The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. via the Kean Theatre Council Facebook Page.
Kean Theatre Council is the direct connection with the arts between the students and faculty of the university. Their mission is to foster interests in the performing arts at Kean and beyond, sharing skills that will expand a student's passion for theatre.
The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey has a 39-year history of supporting children's arts education.
As per the children's theatre website, the mission statement of The Growing Stage is "To nurture the development of the performing arts through education - and to create, produce, and perform works that engage the entire family."
The Growing Stage was founded by executive director Stephen L. Fredericks in 1982.
"Just as we celebrate the generation who first built our theatre and the history that impacted their effort to accomplish it, we strive to serve the generation before us with an enriching and creative experience that encourages their effort to accomplish their own dreams," said Fredricks, as per The Growing Stage's website. The Growing Stage embraces diversity and pledges to mentor young people.
The event is being directed by Kean Theatre Council Vice President and senior Leanne Marie Laurino, with music directed by her brother and fellow senior, Joseph Laurino, Jr. This will be Leanne Laurino's directorial debut. She looks forward to getting singers, musicians and artists into the holiday spirit.
Leanne Laurino is pursuing a bachelor of arts in theatre, a teaching certification and a voice minor. Joseph Laurino, Jr. is working towards a bachelor of arts in music education.
"We are raising money to benefit the Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey that has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have wonderful staff and many Kean students and alumni (including myself) have had the opportunity to do theatre there," said Leanne Laurino.
To audition for the charity cabaret, students should email ktc@kean.edu to receive an audition form. Once the form is completed, interested candidates should include a one-minute video submission of themselves singing a holiday pop song of their choice.
Laurino added, "I am also interested in seeing some instrumental work, spoken word poetry, or anything that fits into the Cabaret, Cocoa, and Chill vibe."
All videos and completed forms should be submitted no later than Thursday, Nov. 5 at 11:59 p.m. If students have any questions or concerns, they are encouraged to email either the Kean Theatre Council at ktc@kean.edu or Leanne Laurino at laurinol@kean.edu.
Students can visit The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey website for more information on how to volunteer or to learn about their programs and upcoming events. Students are also welcome to donate to their cause by visiting their official donating page online.
For more information about Kean Theatre Council and their upcoming events, visit their page on Cougar Link for more information.
