Passion for playing

Passion is a powerful emotion. It can influence people to make rash decisions and even endure torture.

In this particular case, I'm talking about community theater, where one rash decision to audition -- just for the heck of it -- pulls a person into an intimate group of people devoted to putting on the best possible show with its resources.

From rehearsing in a sweltering room because someone forgot to flip on the air conditioning to reciting lines on a 20-minute drive to practice, the performers and helpers with the River City Players epitomize this passion.

Yes, the bright lights and colorful costumes of a professional traveling show are impressive. But even more impressive is the passion and courage it takes for a teacher to stand on stage in front of friends, parents and students -- all of whom will no doubt mention the experience over and over and over -- and act like a murderer or a thief or a maid.

Occasionally an e-mail will circulate through thespian friends, running off a list of ways to identify amateur actors. Things like if your living room sofa spends more time on stage than in your living room or you have your own secret family recipe for stage blood.

Other identifying factors include if you've ever appeared onstage wearing your own clothes or you have a frequent buyer card for the thrift store.

While humorous, the list shows how community theater does not stay in the theater, it permeates the actors' entire lives and not just theirs, but their friends' and neighbors'.

After all, who comes to see a community show if not others in the community?

The community support and participation make community theater accessible, special and successful.

The River City Players just announced audition dates for its next production, giving aspiring amateur actors the chance to participate in a mystery thriller called "Panic."

The play requires two men and four women. Auditions will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Port Cape.

Break a leg.