Colorado Film School announces auditions for student projects

Heather L. Smith / The Aurora Sentinel

The Colorado Film School is looking for actors to star in student films, shorts and other projects during the 2011-12 school year.

The film school, based on the former Lowry Air Force base, will hold auditions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 11 at its Denver campus, 9075 E. Lowry Blvd, Bldg. 965. The school is seeking actors and actresses of all ages and backgrounds. Certain roles may be paid.

Actors should prepare a two- to three-minute monologue and bring printed copies of a personal photo or headshot. Applicants are also expected to send a copy of their photos to auditions@coloradofilmschool.net to be included in the school’s database.

Actors can sign up for an audition slot at coloradofilmschool.net/my/auditions.html.

In its academic programs through the Community College of Aurora and Regis University, CFS offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in writing/directing, writing/producing, cinematography/videography, post production and acting for the screen, as well as a one-year advanced immersion program. While the school is wholly owned by CCA, a current agreement with Regis University allows students to pursue bachelor of fine arts degrees after three years of enrollment through CCA.

The school employs about 25 full-time faculty members and enrolls approximately 400 students, who produce an average of 1,000 films a year.

The Aurora Sentinel's arts and education reporter is bigger than he looks.

Don't be fooled by this picture with TJ Hogle, who plays the Cowardly Lion in the Afterthought Theatre Company's production of "The Wiz." I'm not so tiny; the guy is 6-foot-8.

(Gabriel Christus / The Aurora Sentinel)

Richard Niezen to leave ASO after 2011-12 season

Richard Niezen works with a player during auditions in 2009. (Heather L. Smith / The Aurora Sentinel).

After a decade at the helm of the Aurora Symphony Orchestra, Richard Niezen is preparing for his final bow.

The 2011-12 season will be the conductor’s last for Niezen, the ASO’s music director and conductor. During his time with the organization, Niezen has helped build the ensemble from a small group of musicians to one of the most well-respected community orchestras in the state.

“He feels that he’s done as much as he can do with the orchestra,” said Richard Dustin, the ASO’s president and executive director. “He’s done more for that orchestra than any single person since its inception.”

Ignite Theatre Creative Director Keith Rabin Jr. goes into detail about 2012 season

Keith Rabin Jr. insists that his artistic mission has remained the same.

Rabin, the artistic director and co-founder of the newly formed Lucent Performing Arts Group as well as its Ignite Theatre branch, said the new organization has an old mission. The arts group formally launched in May, after Rabin discontinued Gravity Defied theater company following conflicts with its parent organization, the Rocky Mountain Arts Association.

But the independence and the name change hasn’t altered Rabin’s dedication to pushing the envelope. Like he did with Gravity Defied, Rabin said he’s out to bring risqué material and regional premieres to the stages at the Aurora Fox.

“I didn’t really want to change what our mission was as far as the types of shows.

The only thing that changed about us as a production company was our name,” Rabin said. “We’re going to keep with the edgy, raw, underproduced productions.”

Judging from the company’s lineup for its 2012 season, that mission is alive and well. The four productions range from gritty dramas to macabre musicals, shows that all seem to tout a grand scope and production value.

That theme is no accident, according to Rabin.

“We’ve never lacked for support in the community and just because we changed our name, it may have confused or freaked some people out, but not enough to have our momentum slowed,” Rabin said. “Next year is going to be incredible. I’m incredibly excited about what we’re going to bring to Aurora.”

Look after the jump for full production list for Ignite’s 2012 season, as well as commentary from Rabin regarding the selections.

Afterthought looking to raise funds online for "The Wiz"

Trent Hines, music director for "The Wiz," and Mary Louise Lee rehearse July 27 at Dayton Street Theatre in Aurora. Lee will play Glinda the Good Witch in "The Wiz." (Heather L. Smith/Aurora Sentinel)

The Afterthought Theatre Company is hoping for a little help from its friends for the production of its first musical.
The resident company at the Dayton Street Theatre in Aurora has launched a fundraising page on kickstarter.com to drum up a minimum of $6,500 for its upcoming mounting of the musical "The Wiz." The company must raise the minimum by Sept. 11 receive any donations from the site.

According to the theater company, the donations will help cover “royalties and production costs such as materials, costumes, marketing and promotion” associated with the Afterthought’s first musical.

The Afterthought Theatre Company’s production of “The Wiz” will run Aug. 26 to Sept. 24 at the Dayton Street Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.

My visit with Dixie

This week's Sentinle features a Q&A with Dixie Longate, the larger-than-life diva behind the touring production of "Dixie's Tupperware Party" that's back at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. For those of you looking for more plasticware tips, Heather Smith caught some video during our recent chat with the Alabama Tupperware queen. Enjoy.