The team behind the reborn ON STAGE LIVE! Cabaret have a saying — “We can’t break a leg without you.”
Through its evolution over the five years, the theater company has always relied on the arts-loving community in Johnson County to support their mission through ticket sales and attendance.
But as the theater group revives itself, that mantra is taking on a new meaning.
“We’re opening the doors. Now, it’s your time to get up there and shine,” executive director Chris Tompkins said. “If you don’t try, you’ll never get it.”
As ON STAGE LIVE! Cabaret prepares to open later this spring, organizers want to be sure local residents have a hand in making the theater a true southside original.
The public is invited to come try out for this season’s slate from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, showing off their varied talents as theater directors find the perfect parts for upcoming performances. Singers, dancers, actors, comics, specialty acts, tribute artists, bands and pianists are invited to try out.
With a slate of shows including musical revues, two featured Broadway musicals, comedy, murder mystery, spoken word, dance and more, the hope is to provide an outlet for local performers to get on stage, and make ON STAGE LIVE! a decidedly local flavor.
“We want to open up the doors — whether you’re 16 or 12 or 85, come audition, because we have such a wide variety of shows,” Tompkins said. “We want you to have an opportunity to be in a show.”
Since May 2023, ON STAGE LIVE! has been putting on unique cabaret-style musical shows for the community. Through the year, audience members from all over central Indiana had flocked to the Greenwood theater to see shows dedicated to Elvis Presley, legendary female singers and Barbra Streisand.
A special Halloween show, “Witches BREW,” drew sold-out crowds and rave feedback from people in attendance. Its Christmas showcase, “Holiday Magic,” did much of the same.
At the end of 2023, the organization announced a $100,000 effort to upgrade the theater facility, improving the audience experience while allowing the group to continue to provide one-of-a-kind entertainment. Work is ongoing transforming the theater space, with a hope to launch its first shows in March.
“We’re going to finish it out in the way I originally envisioned it, and it’s going to be one of the most beautiful theaters in Indianapolis,” Tompkins said.
But as the physical theater space is reborn, theater leaders wanted to also expand its reach in the community.
“My goal has always been, since I first started this, to provide a stage for local talent to have an opportunity to share their artistic gift,” Tompkins said. “While there are other venues and theaters available in central Indiana, there are none on the southside.”
The auditions are open to all, with varying requests for different acts.
Singers are asked to bring a minimum of one up-tempo and one ballad of their choice, while dancers can bring a one-minute dance routine of their choosing. Actors should plan on performing two or three monologues from Broadway, TV, movies or spoken word. Comics can deliver a three-to-five minute teaser, and bands can play one or two of their best songs.
The important aspect is that people come prepared to wow the judges, Tompkins said.
“Come in prepared to audition. If you don’t come in prepared, you’re going to, frankly, be flailing. There’s nothing worse than that,” he said. “You want to walk in like you’re applying for a job.”
For those who are cast, Tompkins hopes that it sends the performers on a journey to more and more creative endeavors.
“I have been so blessed in my professional career where other people have given me incredible opportunities. They opened doors for me,” he said. “I look at this like paying it forward.”
IF YOU GO
ON STAGE LIVE! open auditions
What: An opportunity to try out for ON STAGE LIVE!’s upcoming season, which includes a variety of musical revues, two featured Broadway musicals, comedy, murder mystery, spoken word, dance, and more
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: 916 E. Main St., Greenwood
Singers: Bring a minimum of one up-tempo and one ballad of your choice. If you vocally cross over from Broadway to pop, jazz to country, bring a variety. An accompanist will be available, or please bring tracks.
Dancers: Bring a minimum of one minute dance routine of your choosing. If you cross over including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, clogging, hip-hop, etc. plan on bringing tracks to perform a minute of each.
Actors: Bring two or three monologues from Broadway, TV, movie or spoken word.
Comics: Deliver a 3- to 5-minute teaser.
Specialty acts: We’d love to meet and see what you have to offer.
Tribute artists: We’d love to meet you and hear you honor your favorite artist.
Bands: Bring one or two of your best songs.
Pianists: 2 to 3 minutes of one or two songs.
Information: onstagelivecabaret.com
