THE SECOND SEASON: BROADWAY COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS A POLITICAL COMEDY FOR ITS FIRST PRODUCTION

The Broadway Community Theater will open its second season in October and will hold auditions next week for the first production.

The theater board president, Susie Felker, said the second season marks a major accomplishment for the group, which started last year as a family-oriented group of thespians who just want to have a good time.

"We're not looking for professional actors or people who were in all their college plays and majored in theater," said Felker. "We are looking for people who just want to have a good time."

The group did three productions last year, including a children's production. The final production was a dinner theater.

Felker said a children's production is planned for late February or early March and a dinner theater, "The Odd Couple," is planned for April.

In October, the group will perform "State of the Union," a play about politics that depicts an unknown's run for the presidency.

Auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Academy of Dance Arts, 2254 Kingsway Drive. Audition times are 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Roles are available for approximately 17 adults, ages 20 and older.

"Some are bit parts, but others are really good parts," Felker said.

She explained that prior acting experience is not required.

"Last year we had a lot of people come out who had never been in a play before, and they loved it. They said it was the most fun they'd ever had. So it's something that even if they've never done it, here's their chance to give it a try," she said.

The group still does not have it's own theater, and that's why season tickets aren't being sold. And they also need backstage crews.

The group is operated by a seven-member board of directors. Felker said last year was a success in that many people took notice that a community theater group existed. But she said the three productions did not raise as much money as the group hoped.

"That's the case with many ventures, you don't make as much money as you'd hoped in the first year," she said. "So we're still looking around for a place to have the plays."

She said many people who worked on the plays last year have pitched in to help with the second season. Many people got involved with the children's production last year, and it was a hit with the community, she said.

There is still hope the group will continue to grow this year, she said.

"State of the Union" will be presented Oct. 23-25. It first appear on Broadway in 1946 and the later film version starred Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

The community theater production will be directed by Bruce Welker.

No preparation is needed for auditions and they are open to anyone. For more information, contact the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts at 334-9233.