[Holly]

We've already figured out that there are ton of Los Angelites here, I'm sure there's some knowledge floating around...

So, I'm pretty desperately trying to find a place where I can do shows in the LA area - the closer to Long Beach or Torrance, the better. I've seriously spent hours googling trying to find places that, a) look like they put on decent shows, b) are a drive that my mother will allow me to take, c) don't want to charge me $600.

At this point I'm stuck doing shows mostly in the summer because it's so difficult to find places that are accessible when school's going on...

Soo, any ideas?

[what_the_heck013]

Holly, we should put on a show together

[Holly]

Haha for sure. The mdn LA-ers really need to have some sort of party anyway.

[sunrae]

Check out the Young Artists Ensemble in Thousand Oaks. It may be too far of a drive, but they put on pretty good shows. They are a youth theatre for ages 13-19 I believe.

Also Cabrillo Music Theatre is very excellent. They put on really fantastic shows. They reimburse you for your mileage too, so even though it may be a far drive it's worth checking out.

Hope that helps!

[Holly]

I found Young Artits Ensemble a while ago - I really wanted to audition for a show there (they looked better than most in the area), but my mom nixed the idea. She says she doesn't want me on the freeway for like an hour and a half at night, heh.

I haven't heard of Cabrillo Music Theatre, though, I'll look at it

My biggest problem isn't the gas money (although that's also a concern), it's the fact that when I plan on auditioning (after this summer), I'll just barely have my license - my mother's panicky about me driving that far on my own. Although if I manage to get a paying acting job I'm betting she'll reconsider!

[YourMom]

I'm pretty sure Children's Theatre Experience has a few programs close to Torrance and I don't think they charge more than $200 a show. They practice an hour a week, for like 12 weeks, & then they have a few days of tech rehearsal, followed by like 9 performances. So it's really not that big of a committment during the school year, until performance week of course.

Like with all of those theatre companies it might be a little difficult to get a principal role your first time around if you're just getting into performing. But if you're hella confident & kick ass at your audition, they won't NOT cast you in a role because you're a newbie (as was my experience with other theatre companies in SoCal).

I actually think they put on better productions than YAE, though Cabrillo is definitely the closest to professional theatre you can get in the area. However, I've been told that both of those companies very rarely cast people outside of their "circle".

If you're really interested in pursuing theatre, CTE will go above & beyond to push you & teach you everything you need to know to make it as a theatre actor. A lot of their performers have actually been, or are currently on Broadway.

[Holly]

Thanks, I'll look into it It doesn't seem like any of their programs are particularly close to Torrance, but I'm directionally challenged so I'll have to figure that out.