Denton Community Theatre beckons students to acting

by Nasreen Iqbal of North Texas Daily

Since the birth of the Denton Community Theatre in 1969, the facility and its staff have offered students a break from the mundane activities of a typical summer vacation.

With seven to 10 productions taking place each year that are composed of cast and crew members who are mainly volunteers, the DCT beckons students who have even the slightest inkling to try their hand at acting.

DCT managing director, Mike Barrow, said they are happy to do so.

"We always have a number of students from both universities who participate in our programs," Barrow said, referring to students who attend both UNT and TWU. "We have always considered the universities a strong part of the community and we would love to see more students get involved."

Barrow, who was born and raised in Denton, began his involvement with the DCT at the ripe age of 10 when his parents helped him audition and eventually land a role as one of the original pied pipers in a famous children's play.

Barrow majored in arts and theater at UNT and later, despite his interest and background in acting, spent 20 years workings as the general manager of a men's formal-wear store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He continued however to maintain some involvement with the DCT.

"When the company I worked for decided to relocate to Houston, I decided not to go along," Barrow said.

Coincidently, the DCT was in need for a new managing director at the same time.

The DCT is not affiliated with the UNT theater department and for many students the open and free auditions that are offered at the DCT serve as an alternative to campus programs that were created specifically with theater majors in mind.

While UNT's theater department offers a number of core classes that are open to all students, auditions for plays are limited to theater majors only, said Department Chair Lorenzo Garcia.

"The idea behind these core classes is to allow the student to determine if they are interested in pursuing acting as part of a degree," Garcia said.

Garcia said a student may audition for any of the plays and productions offered at UNT after criteria has been met and the student has been declared a theater major.

For many UNT students who have the desire to act but are not pursuing a degree in theater or dance, DCT is the answer to their sonnet like prayers.

"Some students discover a talent they never knew they had," Barrow said.

Barrow also said that the volunteer opportunities go beyond auditioning.

"The opportunities range from acting to building, painting, directing and even designing costumes," he said.

In addition to discovering hidden talents, volunteering is a great way to meet new and friendly people, said Bonnie McCormick, the director for DCT's upcoming play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

McCormick also suggests that acting teaches individuals skills that come in handy in everyday life.

"Getting on stage is beneficial for anyone," McCormick said. "It helps develop skills essential to public speaking and boosts confidence."

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will show at the DCT from July 31 to August 9 and it will be holding auditions for the comic play, Plaza Suite, on July 19 and July 20 at the Campus Theatre located on West Hickory Street.

To see a list of auditioning tips or to learn more about how to get involved with the Denton Community Theatre, visit www.dentoncommunitytheatre.com.