Perofrming for Children Gives Instant Feedback

Performing in children's theater (that is, theater for childrenrather than theater by children) isn't as easy as you might think.

"You get immediate feedback," says Edward Kerros, co-artisticdirector of the Papai Players, a company in the northwest suburbs."You will know right away if they are with you or if they arebored."

The Papai Players do seven or eight shows per season and canuse actors at all experience levels (see audition notice below)."You must be free on Saturdays and Sundays and also some weekdays,"says Kerros. The base pay is about $35 per performance, but can goup to $70 per performance for touring shows.

The troupe now is offering "Winnie the Pooh," "Snow White,""Pinocchio" and "The Velveteen Rabbit."

Another company offering theater for children is AlphaBet SoupProductions. Based at Lewis University in Romeoville, AlphaBet Soupalso has touring companies performing at the Candlelight ForumTheatre, Triton College, the Museum of Science and Industry andPheasant Run Theatre.

"We use both singers and non-singers, but all our actors mustbe out of school," says Mark Pence, who, with Susan Holm, serves asowner, producer, director and writer. "We do from three to sevenshows per week, most of them in the day, and the pay can range from$15 per performance on up based on tenure with the company."

AlphaBet Soup is offering "Hansel and Gretel Go Cajun," "ThreeLittle Pigs or Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf," "Pinocchio" and"Alice in Wonderland."

AlphaBet Soup auditions in September and February. "This is agreat training ground for actors," says Pence. AUDITIONS The Papai Players will hold auditions from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 9.Seeking men and women over 18. Must have strong musical theaterbackground, be available weekdays and Saturday mornings and own acar. Prepare 16 bars up-tempo and ballad and a two-minute comicmonologue from a play or story. For appointments call (312)202-8487. Walt Disney World, Florida, will hold auditions inChicago for male and female actors as well as choral singers. Allmust be at least 18 years old. Actors should prepare a one-minutecomic monologue and bring picture and resume. If you sing, prepareone up-tempo song and bring sheet music. Choral singers shouldpresent two short vocal selections showing range, style andversatility. Bring sheet music, picture and resume. Auditionswill be held Saturday at Columbia College, 72 E. 11th St. Choralsingers will be seen at 11 a.m., male actors at 1 p.m. and femaleactors at 3 p.m. No appointments. Very good pay plus benefits. Forinformation call the recorded message at (407) 345-5701. Do notcall Columbia. The Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest will holdauditions for "The African Company Presents Richard III" from noon to2 p.m. Monday at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont. Seeking twoAfrican-American women, one 35-50 and one to play 25; twoAfrican-American men, one 35-45 and one 50-65, and two Caucasian men,35-45. Prepare a two-minute Shakespearean monologue. There is pay.For appointments call (708) 481-3510. Elgin Community Theatre is seeking men and women, all ages andtypes, and one teenage boy for "On Golden Pond." Auditions will beat 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the offices of Contec, 364 Divisionin Elgin. No appointments. No pay. For information call (708)741-0532. Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre is seeking African-Americanmen and women, all ages and types, and one Caucasian man, early 50s,for "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Auditions will be from 7:30 to9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at 2010 Dewey, Evanston. Prepare atwo-minute monologue. No pay. Appointments are suggested. Call(708) 328-5740.

Call the Casting Call Hotline at (312) or (708) 976-CAST(updated Monday and Thursday). Cost is 30 cents per minute. Thehotline is not connected to the Chicago Sun-Times in any way.