Theatrical company seeking young performers in County

It’s a concept that goes back to Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney gathering the neighborhood kids to “put on a show.”

That can-do spirit lives on in a venture that starts tonight in Aroostook County.

Community Group Entertainment, a Presque Isle-based theatrical production company owned by Richard and Tammy Scott, is seeking “Aroostook’s Young Performers.”

To that end, the Scotts are holding auditions from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday at the private space of the Aroostook Centre Mall’s food court in Presque Isle. They are seeking performers of all types from ages 6 to 19 (Those age 17 or under must be accompanied by an adult). Those selected will take part in a variety show titled “Travel America Through Music.”

In an ad placed in several Aroostook County weeklies, Scott said that those auditioning should “come prepared to perform. Bring your own materials and support.” There will be a piano available to play, but other musicians should bring their own instruments (electric guitars are excluded). There is no fee to participate.

Scott estimates that 15 to 20 performers are the minimum needed to get the project off the ground.

“We’re planning performance modules with singers and dancers,” he said. “If we get enough musicians, we could set up a jazz ensemble or even a big band.”

Established last November, Community Group Entertainment first staged the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” in February at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.

Scott, the father of three performers ages 13, 11 and 6, is confident that the abilities he needs are available in Aroostook County.

“We used quite a few young people in the cast when producing ‘Annie,’ ” he said. “We have traveled through Aroostook, and have seen there is a strong base of young talent. It’s just a matter of bringing everyone in and putting it together.”

Those chosen will rehearse throughout the summer, with an eye toward a July 10 performance at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Performers will rehearse individually at home, with group rehearsals weekly, often aided by area performance professionals.

“We’ll keep the rehearsal time minimal, because children and parents are so busy in the summer,” Scott said.

More dates may be added, Scott said, depending on the eventual makeup of the show and the interest from other venues.

“We’re still formulating the show,” he said. “We plan to have vignettes, so we can take parts out and place them anywhere in the lineup, or stage a smaller show for those that are interested. Also we’re planning to create a video or DVD of the talent, so we can shop the show around.”

Eventually, Scott would like this to be the start of a regular traveling performance troupe.

But for now, it’s an opportunity for young Aroostook performers.

“This provides a professional performing experience for young people, to allow them to get some stage time,” Scott said. “There’s not many chances for our youths to get this kind of opportunity outside of a school setting.”

For more information, call Richard Scott at 227-2019 or e-mail productions@gwi.net. Dale McGarrigle can be reached at 990-8028 and dmcgarrigle@bangordailynews.net.