The Chattanooga area will be inundated with aspiring stars as the Chattanooga Theatre Centre hosts the Tennessee Theatre Association Conference otherwise known as TTA.

It is the first step in a line of competitions that, for a chosen few, will end with national and even international acclaim.

To be held Oct. 24 through Oct. 27, TTA will begin with the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Four colleges from across the state will vie for the opportunity to move on to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) which is the regional competition level. To do so, each college performs a full-length play, complete with set, lights and costumes, which is judged by a panel of adjudicators.

Only one school will be chosen to represent Tennessee at the regional level. If the school advances through the regional level, they will compete at the national level at the Kennedy Center in New York.

"The really wild element to the Kennedy Center competition is that we have four schools performing in three days. They have to set up their scenery, readjust lighting and unpack costumes with only a few hours before show time and then break everything down so the next college can load in. It’s a frenetic yet impressive process." said Jeffrey Brown, Producing Director of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and President-Elect for TTA.

A similar competition will also be held for community theatres such as the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. But instead of a full-length production, the community theatre competition only allows a performance of one-hour in length. That time may be devoted to a one-act play or a cutting from a full-length.

Unlike the college competition which ends in a national contest, the community theatre competition cumulates at the international level.

CTC will be competing in the event with a cutting from its season opener The People vs. Mona. "CTC was fortunate to have participated at the international level several years ago with another play by Jim Wann, Pump Boys and Dinettes. We hope to achieve the same goal this year," said Brown.

The public is encouraged to attend both competitions. Audience members may attend the response session after each performance and listen to the critique from the adjudicators. "The competitions are truly an in-depth look at the art and craft necessary to make theatre work," said Brown.

TTA is also the beginning of another type of competition. The TTA Conference recently became the primary screening mechanism for SETC auditions. Dozens of college students state-wide will audition for slots at SETC auditions. That slot gives the actor an opportunity to audition in front of more than 100 representatives from theatres across the country.

"It’s a huge audition not only in number of participants but in importance as well," said Stephanie Bever, marketing director for CTC and former SETC auditionee.

"The Tennessee Theatre Association Conference is the beginning of an exciting journey," said Brown. "For some it’s the beginning of the trek to audition for prominent theatres at SETC and others for performing at regional, national and international levels."

To attend the competition performances, individuals can either register for the conference or buy single tickets. Conference registration includes tickets to all performances and admission to the workshops also available. Single tickets are $5 per performance for the Kennedy Center competition and $10 per night of community theatre performances. Packages are available. Call the Chattanooga Theatre Centre box office for tickets and further information, 267-8534.

WORKSHOPS AT THE CONFERENCE

TTA goes beyond competitions. There is ample opportunity for those just looking to learn more about the craft of theatre.

Eight workshops will be conducted on various theatre topics. Acting and monologue preparation workshops will be led by seasoned professionals Sherry Landrum and Rex Knowles. These workshops assist not only those preparing to audition at TTA but anyone interested in improving their acting and auditioning ability.

"Actors are always in a constant state of learning. Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Jodie Foster and so many other stars still take theatre classes and read acting books," said Jeffrey Brown, producing director for the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and president-elect of TTA.

A special guest instructor will lead two workshops on the television and film side of acting. Dawn Wells, best known for her role as Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island, will cover techniques for acting for the camera and how to make the move to the professional acting world. Along with appearances in more than 100 television episodes and multiple stage roles, she is known for the Dawn Wells’ Film Actors Boot Camp. The week-long session covers more intensely the same topics Wells will address at TTA.

Other workshops at the conference include a rare stage combat workshop to be led by a former stuntman and administrative workshops on grants and season selection.

"It is all part and parcel to the inner working of the theatre," said Brown. "The community has an excellent opportunity to learn more about the theatre. And it’s an opportunity that will not return to this city for several more years."

To attend any and all of the workshops, individuals must register for the TTA conference. Registration is $40 for non-members and includes admission to all workshops and tickets to the college and community theatre competitions. "It is the best way to catch everything." Brown said.

Call Jeffrey Brown for registration forms and further information at 267-8538 ext. 225.