Jaclyn Lechner, Director of the Salt River Community Theatre‘s production of Finding Neverland, stepped into the SVI Radio studio on Monday, July 6 to promote auditions which take place July 23-25 from 6-8 p.m. at the Afton Ford Theatre.

(0:00) 8.35 this morning on SVI Radio, SWIFT 98 and The Spur, (0:04) heading into this hour’s guest interview segment. (0:07) And joining me live in studio is Jacqueline Lechner (0:09) with the Salt River Art Society and some big events (0:12) coming up at the Afton Ford Theater, (0:14) including, of course, the annual musical production, (0:19) of course, looking forward to that. (0:20) So Jacqueline, good morning, how are you doing today? (0:22) Doing great, how are you? (0:24) Fantastic, thank you for your time as always.

(0:26) I’m just looking at the events at the Ford (0:28) and, boy, you guys are doing an amazing job. (0:31) Some great things to close out the, (0:33) to finish off the summer and head into the fall, (0:36) but tell us more first about this year’s (0:39) community theater production. (0:41) Of course, yeah, we’ve got some fun things coming up, (0:44) but auditions are coming up and we are, (0:46) so we’re starting to get into our musical season.

(0:48) So auditions are at the end of this month, (0:51) they’re the 23rd, 24th, and 25th this time. (0:54) We have three days and they’ll be from (0:57) six to eight p.m. at the Ford. (0:59) Perfect, and the production is? (1:02) Finding Neverland.

(1:03) Love it, you did a Facebook announcement, (1:06) you were keeping us all on pins and needles (1:08) the whole time, trying to get us to guess it, (1:09) but Finding Neverland, tell us about it, (1:11) how’d you settle on that? (1:12) Yeah, I’ve loved this musical for a long time, (1:15) but essentially it’s the story of J.M. Barrie, (1:18) who wrote Peter Pan and it’s kind of his life experiences (1:21) and how he wrote Peter Pan, obviously in a musical form, (1:25) but it’s a really fun show. (1:27) Absolutely, and so who are you looking for cast-wise (1:30) to try and fill this? (1:31) Yeah, so this year’s a little bit different. (1:33) So of course we have our standard, it’s welcome to adults, (1:36) so anyone who is out of high school, (1:38) we welcome you to auditions like normal, (1:41) and then this year there are a few kind of featured roles (1:44) for some young boys.

(1:46) So if you’re a boy between eight and 14, (1:49) we’re looking for four roles that are young boys, (1:52) so it’ll be fun. (1:53) And so they’re welcome to come audition, (1:55) it sounds like, just through the process. (1:58) What’s the total number of cast members (2:00) that you’re trying to get here for this? (2:02) Typically we’re about 15 to 20 is where we’ve been at.

(2:06) It’s a good size for the small Ford Theater, (2:09) but it works, and so about that range. (2:12) Well, the past productions have been fantastic, (2:14) so I’m sure this one’s gonna be right up there as well, (2:16) if not even better. (2:17) Why should someone come participate in this as a cast member? (2:21) It is so much fun.

(2:23) It’s a way to build friendships, (2:25) and you also get to work on some skills (2:28) and maybe try something new that you haven’t, (2:30) or come back to the stage if you’ve been there before. (2:33) It’s just so much fun, and it’s so fulfilling (2:36) to be able to put on an amazing production. (2:38) It just feels great.

(2:39) You know, kind of tagging along with that, (2:41) you talk about coming back to something you’ve done, (2:42) or maybe try something new. (2:44) No experience necessary, right? (2:46) Everybody. (2:47) No, I mean, auditions are open to anyone.

(2:49) There’s no pre-elimination or anything. (2:52) You’re welcome to come and audition, (2:54) and we’ll take anyone who wants to try. (2:57) Perfect, so give us again those audition dates and details.

(3:00) Yeah, so it’s at the end of the month. (3:01) It’s July 23rd, 24th, and 25th (3:04) at the Ford Theater from 6 to 8 p.m. (3:07) Perfect, so coming right up, (3:08) and anything that they need to have prepared and ready? (3:11) Yeah, so you can just come and prepare (3:13) like one to two minute musical theater style song. (3:17) It’s kind of open, and then after that, (3:20) we might have you read some from a scene (3:22) just to see some fun acting, (3:24) but just come prepared with the song, and we’ll take ya.

(3:27) Perfect, and then after auditions, (3:29) the production doesn’t start until middle of November, (3:32) right, that’s when the performances are. (3:34) So what kind of time commitment (3:35) between auditions and that time? (3:36) Yes, so rehearsals start the end of August. (3:39) So the last week of August, (3:40) it’s Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

(3:42) Every week from 7 to 9 p.m. leading up (3:45) until the musical in November. (3:48) Jaclyn, of course, you put so much time into this. (3:49) Who helps you behind the scenes? (3:51) There’s a lot of people who help me, (3:52) and I’m so grateful for everyone.

(3:54) This year, I am directing, and so it’s back on mostly me, (3:58) but there’s a lot of people who help. (4:01) Brandon Burnham is incredible with our sets and our sound, (4:04) and Tammy has helped us so much. (4:07) She’s the other director.

(4:08) She, we’ll see if she’s in it or helping this year, (4:12) but there’s so many amazing people, (4:14) and the cast helps so much, (4:16) so I’m super excited to work with another great cast. (4:19) Perfect, so Finding Neverland performances (4:21) will be in November, (4:22) but auditions for the cast happening (4:23) at the end of this month. (4:25) Jaclyn Lecter this morning (4:26) with the Salt River Art Society in studio today.

(4:28) Jaclyn, before we even get to that point, (4:30) the Ford Theater has some really good shows (4:33) on the schedule in this month and next month. (4:35) Tell us what’s coming up. (4:36) Yeah, so a couple things this month.

(4:39) We’ve got the Blue Sky Music Camp concert. (4:41) All the kids are having a week-long camp, (4:44) and they get to put on a performance, (4:46) so that’ll be July 10th at seven. (4:48) Get to come support all these amazing youth (4:50) and their performances (4:51) and all the things that they’ve learned, (4:53) and then we have Griffin on July 14th at 7 p.m. (4:58) He is a classical pianist.

(5:00) He has family ties here to Star Valley. (5:02) He’s been in New York, (5:04) but he’s hoping to come back here to good old Star Valley, (5:07) but he’s an incredible pianist. (5:08) He’ll be playing some classical pieces, (5:11) and so it’ll be a really great show, (5:14) and then after that, (5:16) we’ve even got some more great things coming up.

(5:18) We’ve got Dave Stamey in August 15th. (5:22) He’s coming back, (5:23) and then there’s even some comedy coming up, too. (5:26) Yeah, a couple comedians.

(5:27) In fact, you were telling me one’s more (5:28) of a kind of a storyteller crime junkie-type comedian, right? (5:32) Yeah, so at the end of August, we’ve got Mark Yaffe. (5:35) He is your typical comedian. (5:37) He’s a family-friendly comedian.

(5:38) He’s actually Native American, (5:40) and he has some great places that he’s performed at, (5:44) and then later on in September, (5:46) we have Casey Skinner coming, (5:48) and his thing is called You Can’t Hide, (5:51) and it’s his experience at the Cecil Hotel. (5:55) If you know true crime, (5:57) you’ll probably recognize that one, (5:59) but it’s his time. (5:59) He didn’t realize what it was when he stayed there, (6:02) and he had some crazy experiences while he was there.

(6:05) Love it, love it. (6:06) So those shows on the schedule at the Ford Theater. (6:08) Of course, Dancing with the Stars will be back in September, (6:11) and I had a chance earlier, about a month or so ago, (6:14) to talk with Marvin Goldstein and Vanessa Joy.

(6:15) They’re back on the schedule in the fall. (6:17) Yes, they’re super excited to be back here in Star Valley, (6:21) and so we’re getting things prepared for that. (6:23) They’re super excited, and this concert (6:26) and all the other tickets are available to get, (6:29) so they’re really excited to see as many people (6:32) as they can come to Vanessa and Marvin.

(6:34) Absolutely, and then, of course, (6:35) as we’ve talked about, Finding Neverland in November. (6:38) So all those events coming up at the Afton Ford Theater, (6:40) visit saltriverarts.com for tickets, (6:43) details on all the events that are happening (6:45) at the Ford Theater, saltriverarts.com. (6:47) Jacqueline Lechner in studio. (6:48) Anything we missed, Jacqueline, we need to mention today.

(6:51) Just come support the Ford, (6:52) and come support your local community theater. (6:55) Love it. They’re super fun.

(6:56) Perfect, auditions on the way later this month. (6:57) It’s all part of the weekday wake-up this morning (6:59) on SVI Radio.