Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 11/6/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   98

SLU HOLDS AUDITIONS FOR "THE SECRET GARDEN"
     HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Opera-Music Theater Program
will hold auditions Nov. 16 and 17 for its spring semester production of the Broadway musical
"The Secret Garden." The musical will be performed the week of March 15 at Southeastern's
Pottle Music Building Auditorium. 
     Auditions for adult roles only are scheduled for 7 p.m., Nov. 16, in Pottle Auditorium.
Children's roles will be cast at 7 p.m., Nov. 17, in the Music Recital Hall.
     Scharmal Schrock, director of the Opera-Music Theater Program said, Southeastern
students will be given casting priority in adult roles. The children's roles are open to youngsters 
10 years of age and older, she said.
     Those auditioning should bring a prepared (memorized) selection to sing. An
accompanist will be provided, but auditioners must bring printed music. A dramatic reading will
be provided at the audition.
     "'The Secret Garden' is a musical treasure filled with magic and beauty," Schrock said. 
     The compelling tale of regeneration follows an 11-year-old girl, orphaned in India by
cholera, who is sent to Yorkshire to live with her only relatives   an embittered, reclusive uncle
and his invalid 10-year-old son. The uncle's estate includes a magic locked garden.  
     Schrock, the production's coordinator and vocal coach, said "The Secret Garden"
includes "flashbacks, dream sequences, a strolling chorus of ghosts and some of the most
beautiful music ever written for the Broadway stage."
     "The Secret Garden" will be directed by Larry Gray with set design by Steve Schepker.
The full orchestra will be conducted by Frank Dubuy.
     For additional information, call the Southeastern music department, 549-2184.
                            - SLU -
Press release available on the World Wide Web:
www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf98.htm