The Springfield Muni has announced its 2023 season and is gearing up for upcoming workshops and audition days. The Muni is an outdoor community theater which produces four musical theater productions every summer and is run mostly by volunteers. It is located less than five miles from the University of Illinois Springfield, near lake Springfield and Henson Robinson Zoo.

Since 1972, the Muni has produced four shows in each summer season. Early in January of this year, they announced their 2023 season. Rock of Ages will debut on the Muni Stage on June 23 – 25 and June 28 -July 1. The show will be directed by Andrew Maynerich & Morgan Kaplan and promises ‘80s energy with ‘80s hair and features music from many popular ‘80s rock bands like Journey and Styx. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be performed July 14 – 16 and 19 – 22. The show will be directed by LaDonna Wilson and features the classic Disney story with beloved music by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. School of Rock: The Musical will run Aug. 4 -6 and 9 – 12. The show will be directed by Jeremy Goeckner and Sara Goeckner and is based on the hit Jack Black film with additional original music from popular composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. A fourth show will be presented at the beginning of the run (June 2 – 4 and 7-10). Due to contractual arrangements, the title will not be released until May.

The Springfield Municipal Opera, or the Muni, was established on April 21, 1950, and was built on a 55-acre plot that was formerly a wheat field. The Muni is operated by the Springfield Municipal Opera Association, a not-for-profit theatrical organization. Each show is performed by a volunteer cast. If you want to be involved but don’t want to get on stage, a task force of volunteers is recruited every year to usher, build sets, paint, and run concessions with many other crew members needed backstage on performance days for various tasks. Craig McFarland, a member of the Muni Board of Managers (as well as Online Coordinator for the UIS Department of Legal Studies), says that “it usually takes around 150 people to put up a production.” If you are interested in auditioning, there are many resources to help you prepare for the big day.

In regard to Auditions, McFarland said, “Usually, we have several hundred adults audition. Each of our four productions will cast between 30 to 50.” This year, auditions will be held on March 4, 5, 11 & 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Hoogland center for the arts in Springfield. On audition day, you will need to arrive a suggested 45 minutes early to fill out the audition form and receive a number. The process starts with a group vocal warmup where you can work out any last-minute butterflies. You will then be ushered into a large room where the directors of each show will be gathered, as you will essentially be auditioning for all four shows at once. You will turn in your audition sheet, complete with a headshot, stage experience, show preferences, and sheet music for the pianist. Then you will sit and listen to the other auditioners until your number is called. Depending on the shows you are interested in, you may also need to attend the dance audition, which will happen at a separate time from your vocal audition.

If this process sounds intimidating or confusing, the Muni holds audition workshops that walk you through the process and help you to prepare. You will also get to meet some people who will be casting each show. This year, you can register to attend workshops on February 11. You are not required to attend any of the sessions, but the times allow you to attend all three sessions. These sessions will occur after an initial workshop meeting at 10 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but sign-ups are preferred.

Each year, the Muni offers a variety of shows that appeal to different audiences and potential cast members. Shows vary in music styles and genres, with a range of large-to-intimate cast sizes and feature children’s ensembles to all-adult casts. Last year’s performances included Sponge Bob, Ragtime, Newsies, and Matilda. With the close proximity to UIS and so many options for shows and dates, the Muni may be just the way to spend your summer. Additional information can be found at http://www.themuni.org/