News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE January 15, 2008

BALDWIN PLAYERS IMPROV AUDITIONS JANUARY 22 -23

TIFTON – The Baldwin Players will hold auditions for their spring production Jan. 22 - 23 at 7 p.m. Auditions for the improvisational comedy sketch group will take place in Conger Hall room 319 on the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College campus.

“There is a method to the madness behind successful improv,” Dr. John Galyean, Baldwin Players director, said. “I studied and performed improvisational comedy in Los Angeles, and I can safely say it's a very unique beast. Many actors are scared of it; many nonactors love to do it. No matter what, improv is always a crowd pleaser, and it can be a valuable tool in rehearsing legitimate plays. It's just that some of the instincts one has to develop are counter-intuitive to regular theatre."

Previous audiences have filled the 90-seat theatre in 319 Conger Hall. "We have repeat customers throughout the run, it's like having groupies! The only problem is that some of them expect us to perform what they shouted as suggestions the previous night," Galyean said. He credits shows like ABC's "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" with Drew Carey and NBC's "Thank God You're Here" with helping to popularize improvisation as entertainment.

Auditions are open to anyone who would like to tryout. No experience is necessary. Production dates for the improvisational evenings are March 6-8.

For more information, contact Galyean at 229.391. 4960 or jgalyean@abac.edu.

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