Ed. Note: The following is a press release provided by College Of The Canyon Theatre Department

College Of The Canyons Theatre Department offers roles to both students and community members two upcoming plays,“Dracula” and “Raisin In The Sun”

The College of the Canyons theatre department will host a series of open audition dates for students and community members interested in performing in the college’s two upcoming fall semester productions.

The COC theatre department’s fall productions include “Dracula” by Steven Dietz and the critically acclaimed “Raisin in The Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry.

Randee Trabitz will direct “Dracula” and “Raisin in the Sun” will be directed by Susan Hinshaw. About 15 to 20 actors ranging in ages from 16 to 50 are needed for these productions.

Preliminary auditions for “Dracula” and “Raisin in the Sun” take place at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24 and Tuesday, Aug 25, in the Black Box Theater, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

Auditioning actors should prepare a one- to two-minute monologue. Actors interested in“Raisin in The Sun” should prepare a monologue from a work in the American realism style.

Actors interested in “Dracula” are asked to note any special abilities in regards to dance, stage combat or any physical restrictions. All will be considered, but some roles are more strenuous than others.

The director will have material for actors to read if a monologue is not prepared. Students who are cast for a role in either production will need to register for the college’s theatre production course.

“Dracula”

The COC production of “Dracula” closely follows the source material of the novel. This suspenseful story is based on the legend of the Transylvanian vampire Dracula. The lead characters work to piece together Dracula’s identity and make a valiant attempt to stop him from taking new victims.

“The play is roller coaster, thrilling us with our darkest fears and unleashing sides of ourselves that society would repress,” said Trabitz. “This is a chance for students to explore a Victorian world with a tight ensemble working together to unleash a catharsis for the audience.”

Rehearsals will begin on or around Saturday, Aug. 29.

Performances will take place on the weekends of Oct. 9-11, and Oct. 16-18.

“Raisin in The Sun”

The multiple Tony Award-winning play revolved around the dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Sacrifice, trust and love among the family, as well as its heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world, provide a searing and timeless story of hope and inspiration.

“This is one of America’s greatest plays,” said Hinshaw. “It’s an important chapter of American history and the play still resonates deeply today.”

Rehearsals will begin on Sept. 14.

Performances will take place on the weekends of Nov. 13-15, and Nov. 20-22.

For more information about the College of the Canyons theatre department’s spring semester productions or for additional details about the audition process please visit this website