Jennifer McBrayer will giggle and wink as she tells you that she gets around.If you’ve attended a local stage show in South Baldwin County recently, you’ve probably seen her in action.The …
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Jennifer McBrayer will giggle and wink as she tells you that she gets around.
If you’ve attended a local stage show in South Baldwin County recently, you’ve probably seen her in action.
The mom and Gulf Shores resident has skipped through nearly a dozen storylines about princesses, mythical creatures, weirdos from outer space and murder.
This month, she is a supporting cast member in the classic tale of two grumpy opposites sorting out their differences, and their lives, as “The Odd Couple” at South Baldwin Community Theatre.
But this, however, is the all-female version
With shows opening on three Baldwin County stages in the coming weeks and several more productions in the works, the opportunities to become involved are enormous, McBrayer said.
“If you want to be part of any kind of performance, there is a way to plug in down here, and that was surprising to me,” she said.
Not just the opportunities, she said. But also the talent hidden in Baldwin’s neighborhoods and schools.
At a recent rehearsal for Orange Beach’s upcoming production of "Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” McBrayer said she was nearly brought to tears by the performances.
“They just sound so gorgeous,” she said. “There is so much talent and opportunity here. It’s really great.”
She said she knows the process can be intimidating, but there are dozens of roles to fill from being centerstage to selling tickets.
In an effort to prepare the uninitiated for auditions, McBrayer is helping with Exit Stage Left’s audition workshop happening this weekend in Foley for that troupe’s spring presentation of “Matilda.”
In Fairhope, Jeff Lovingood, who is currently directing “Four Old Broads” at Theatre 98 in Fairhope, said his biggest advice is to simply show up.
While the current production, which feels much like “The Golden Girls” but funnier, he said, has a cast filled by a few theater regulars, two cast members have never stepped foot on stage before. Another is making a return after 23 years away from the bright lights of the stage.
“What it really boils down to is if people just show up they will be given an opportunity to do something. People see actors on stage and think that’s all there is,” Lovingood said. “We need backstage. We always need costuming, light board or whatever the case may be. We can find something so you can be part of our community, too.”
McBrayer said it is encouraging, too, that so many people in Baldwin's theater community work across stage lines in roles at multiple stages.
"We're really passionate about trying to blend all of these people so we're like a giant theater family," she said. "We're always happy to help someone plug in."
“The Odd Couple”
South Baldwin Community Theatre, Gulf Shores
Jan. 5-15
www.sbct.biz
“Four Old Broads”
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Expect Excellence Community Theatre
Audition workshops are being held for the following spring shows:
“Matilda”
Exit Stage Left, Foley
Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Lunch provided, registration required
Exitstageleft.org
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre, Daphne
Jan. 7, 1-2:30 p.m.
Participants will learn the callback choreography with ESRT choreography Matthew Kiel
$25 per person
Be sure to check individual websites for audition requirements such as the use of accompaniment tracks.
“Into the Breeches”
Theatre 98, Fairhope
Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
5th Annual Radio Theatre Festival
South Baldwin Community Theatre, Gulf Shores
Feb. 4, 3 p.m.
“A Bagful of Fables”
South Baldwin Community Theatre, Gulf Shores
Jan. 14
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
10th-annual Theatre on the Bluff
Eastern Shore Repertory Theater, Daphne
“Matilda”
Exit Stage Left, Foley
Jan. 13-14, 20-21
Ages 8 through adult
Exitstageleft.org
