WNCC auditions for 'Forever Plaid' and 'Grease'

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company invites open auditions for two spring shows - "Forever Plaid" and the rock 'n' roll hit classic "Grease" at 6 p.m. Jan. 17, in Aspen 207 at Western Nevada Community College.

Auditioners should come prepared to sing a song under 1 minute in length. They may bring a taped accompaniment or provide the accompanist with a musical score. Call-backs will follow on the next two evenings.

"Forever Plaid," the hit show featuring four singers trying to earn their plaid jackets, will play at WNCC Carson City in 12 performances March 24 through April 9.

The show features the top slick harmony songs on the '50s hit charts, including "Lady of Spain," "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Heart and Soul," "Sixteen Tons," "Catch a Falling Star" and "Shangri-La."

The quartet is killed in a crash when traveling to their big concert, then miraculously revived 30 years later to live their musical dream. Consequently, the show could either be cast with four young men who are brought back to Earth exactly as they left it, or four middle-aged men who aged during the 30 years in the afterlife. Singers need to be experienced part-singers.

"Grease" is a show familiar to even novice theatergoers. While hip Danny Zuko and wholesome Sandy Dumbrowski play out their unlikely romance, the class of '59 at Rydell High sings and dances their way through such nostalgic scenes as the pajama party, prom, drive-in movie and burger palace. This performance will include specially licensed hits from the movie, including "Grease Is the Word," "You're the One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted." The show will play in seven performances at the Carson City Community Center, May 12-21. Casting calls for 17 speaking roles, a dance troupe and a chorus. Featured roles will be played by performers who are 20 to 30 years old.

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company is a critically acclaimed regional theater company operated through the Performing Arts Program at WNCC, drawing tour buses from all around Nevada and California.

Its last performance, "Fiddler on the Roof," drew some 4,700 people. Stephanie Arrigotti will produce and direct both shows. Gina Kaskie-Davis is the choreographer for "Grease."

Everyone accepted in either cast must register to participate in the productions. All credit students will receive a scholarship to defray half their tuition.

This course applies to the associate of arts degree with an emphasis in Musical Theatre.

For information, call the WNCC Performing Arts office at 445-4249.

University of Nevada, Reno reopens Jan. 3

The University of Nevada, Reno is closed for the holidays and will reopen Jan. 3. For detailed information and frequently asked questions regarding the winter closure, see: www.unr.edu/winterclosure on the Internet.

Scholarships available for those with hearing loss

Students with hearing loss face all of the challenges the average college student encounters, from adjusting to a more intense academic pace to coping with roommates to finding ways to fund tuition and books. Dr. Nanci Campbell of Sierra Nevada Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, who sees children and young people in her practice, wants to help students with hearing loss solve at least one of those challenges through a unique scholarship program funded by leading hearing-aid manufacturer Oticon Inc. A dozen $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

The Oticon scholarship program is open to students with mild to profound hearing loss (minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss) who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Administered through Sertoma International, each $1,000 award is designed to cover tuition, books and supplies during any term during the academic year, including summer school.

Interested students should contact Campbell to obtain a copy of the scholarship application. Applications can also be downloaded from the www.sertoma.org Web site. Deadline for applications is 4 p.m. May 1.