'Pericles' auditions finish

Auditions for the fall play Pericles, a tragic comedy by Shakespeare, finished Tuesday with an exceptional turnout. Over 100 people tried out for the play.

"105--and I think that's a new record for the fall play," said drama director Kelly Newman. "They usually run about 10 fewer than that. And it never ceases to surprise me how many new people I see at the auditions."

Callbacks will be held on Thursday and the cast will be announced Friday. The cast will rehearse until the performances, which are scheduled for November 14, 15, 21, and 22.

Newman was very excited about finally putting on a production of 'Pericles.' "I've wanted to do this play for a long time," she said, "and the last scene of Pericles is truly great--it is so powerfully moving and magical."

The arts hallway was packed Monday and Tuesday afternoons with the hopefuls, practicing their lines and rehearsing with their scene partners. Some of them waited over two and a half hours for their chance to show Newman their skills.

"I read the part of Pericles and the part of Antiochus," said sophomore Sam Silsbee at the audition on Tuesday. "I'm hoping to have a speaking role, not a lead role, unless it's the role of the pimp."

Senior Tekle Ghevremesthel isn't a Shakespeare expert, but he still hopes for a part. "I didn't know anything about the play, I just saw one of the papers describing it. I just wanted to be in a play period," said Ghevremesthel. "If I don't get cast, I'll be a little bit disappointed, but I'll just say ‘oh well' and hope for better luck next time."