Auditioning Is More Than A ‘Pastime’

Neither the playwright nor the director showed signs of panic.

After all, this was only the first of two nights of auditions. Just because there were not enough black actors on hand to play all the parts written for African-Americans didn’t mean things wouldn’t work out. Eventually. Somehow.

Besides, director Jack Delehanty had other concerns Sunday night. A dozen people had showed up at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park seeking roles in the Civic Theatre’s production of Bryan Harnetiaux’s play about the desegregation of baseball, “National Pastime.” They had filled out information cards. Now it was time to start finding out if they were any good.

It all happened in one small meeting room, with everyone present.

Auditioners sat in chairs backed up against the walls. Though more than a few of those in attendance appeared to know one another, there wasn’t much kidding around.

You could feel a hint of vulnerability in the room. And there was respect for that.

Delehanty, low-key and businesslike, had different auditioners take turns reading from the script. When they had read enough, he would say, “OK, thank you,” in a pleasant, noncommittal way.

Harnetiaux, who said little, sat on the carpet with his back against a wall.

Though one or two of the would-be actors stumbled in their first readings and seemed to offer little evidence that they could help the production, no judgments were voiced. No one was asked to leave. Everyone got second chances — even those whose attempts to do a Southern accent might have been ill-advised.

Still, several of the people reading for parts were impressive. The one black man at the audition was good. So, too, was a woman who looked a bit like Mary Tyler Moore back in her Laura Petrie days.

One guy who held his face in his hand while reading the part of Jackie Robinson seemed like a good prospect. Well, except for being white.

Delehanty didn’t fawn over the polished performers. He never shouted, “Yes!” or “YOU are my Red Barber!”

He just spoke quietly about wanting to get a sense of everyone’s voices.

When Sunday night’s session concluded, all were invited to come back Monday night.

The Laura Petrie lookalike told Delehanty she had an appointment related to buying a house. “But I’ll try to rearrange it,” she said.

Opening night is April 18. , DataTimes MEMO: Being There is a weekly feature that visits Inland Northwest gatherings.