Budding thespians will have a chance to take the stage this summer.
    Kaleidoscope Theatre, Drumheller’s homegrown theatre troupe, is looking for volunteers to help in their upcoming production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma!
    Auditions will be held on April 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kaleidoscope Theatre.
    “People will need to have a song prepared and will need to do a cold line read,” said Deanne Zariski with Kaleidoscope Theatre. “We need all sorts of people to audition, especially guys. We have parts for all ages.”
    Due to the larger scale of the production, in addition to people to be on stage, volunteers are needed backstage to help bring everything together.
    “We are definitely looking for people to work backstage doing larger roles, like stage manager, sound, and set construction. We need the actors of course, but the behind-the-scenes stuff is just as important,” said Zariski.

Kaleidoscope Theatre is getting ready for their first summer production since Hello Dolly (pictured here), five years ago. Auditions for Oklahoma! will be held on April 21, 4 to 7 p.m. and April 22, 7 to 9 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to fill a number of crucial backstage roles as well.

    The production will  be the first summer production for the theatre since they did Hello Dolly in 2008. The goal is to continue to have regular productions throughout the year.
    “We’re trying to do a season with two shows a year at least, have other events in between, and try to do a summer show every second year at least,” said Zariski.
    Oklahoma! tells the story of two cowboys in 1906 as they compete with a ranch hand and travelling peddler for the women they love.
    “It’s a great musical. There is a great ensemble, catchy songs, and it’s a classic. It’s good for all ages,” said Zariski.
    For more information and to volunteer contact Zariski at 403-820-9593.

    An actor from Red Deer will take over the lead role of Jesus for the first time in five seasons at this year’s Canadian Badlands Passion Play.
    For the past two seasons Aaron Krogman has been the understudy of Steve Waldschmidt, who since 2008 has assumed the role of Jesus.
    The Walschmidt family moved away to Saskatoon last winter, paving the way for Krogman to make his big break as the new Christ.
    Krogman has previously played the part of Enosh (the man born blind) and is a veteran Rosebud Theatre and Burnt Theatre actor, singer and musician.
    “To play such an iconic figure as Jesus is by far among the biggest challenges I have faced as an actor and I’m looking forward to bringing everything I have to this pivotal role,” said Krogman.

Aaron Krogman (left) will be filling perhaps the biggest sandals there are as he assumes the role of Jesus in the 2013 Passion Play. Krogman takes over from Steve Waldschmidt, who has filled the role since 2008.

    Since its first performance in 1994, the Passion Play has gained a provincial, national and international reputation as one of North America’s top “must see” cultural and tourism events.
    “We are very excited about the new dynamic that Aaron will bring to the stage,” said Vance Neudorf, executive director of the Passion Play.
    Assuming the role of Jesus extends beyond the reaches of the amphitheatre as people will look to Krogman to maintain the same kind-hearted compassionate demeanor that he presents on stage.
    “He’s a great actor. He really does a great job,” said Neudorf.
    From July 10 to 21 there will be nine performances, including six evening performances and three afternoon shows with over 200 actors on stage supported by 40 backstage staff members.
    Since 2005, annual attendance at the Passion Play has skyrocketed from 6,700 to more than 14,000 in 2012.
    Neudorf predicts this year’s attendance will hit the 20,000 mark.
    “The Passion Play is a mammoth undertaking resulting in an incredible outdoor spectacle,” said Neudorf.