Ocean City Theater Company and Ocean City Pops Orchestra hold auditions

Dance auditions at the Ocean City Music Pier

On a bright, sunny, Sunday afternoon in Ocean City, while many people on the Boardwalk were enjoying a leisurely stroll or relaxing on benches, a group of about 125 singers and dancers were auditioning at the Music Pier for spots this summer with the Ocean City Theater Company and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. The first round of auditions began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 4:30 p.m., while the second round started at 4:30 p.m. and continued to 9:30 p.m.

I was there for the first round of the dancing auditions and watched as a group of about 35 dancers, performing jazz and tap, were focused and enthusiastic, determined to secure a spot for the summer season.

According to Stephanie Trigg, Company Manager, “This is the first season for a combined effort between the Theater Company and the Pops.”

The Companay will be presenting three shows this season: “The Wizard of Oz,” “42nd St.,” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Trigg, along Michael Hartman, staging director, were born and raised in Ocean City and are graduates of Ocean City High School. Both Hartman and Trigg have previously performed on the Pier, and now they also manage the Children’s Theater.
“The Wizard of Oz” and “42nd St.” will be presented this summer at the Hughes Performing Arts Center of OCHS, while “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be performed at the Music Pier.

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Every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on WCFA-FM 101.5, you can listen to local creative writers reading their stories, live. The participants are from the Avalon Library Creative Writers’ group. They share their work and are interviewed about their pieces by Barbara Andruzak, the host of the show. Each week features a different creative writer, with the authors coming from all over the county.

The Avalon Library Creative Writers’ group meets the first and third Saturdays of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Library. Dr. Sue Jacobson, former Penn State professor and member of the library staff, is the moderator. New members are most welcome. If you would like more information, please contact the library at 609-967-7155, or visit the website at www.avalonfreelibrary.org.