TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre to Stage RENT This Summer; Auditions Held in May

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) is pleased to announce the 2015 Summer Conservatory production of Rent. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Rent will rock the Zilkha Hall stage at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts September 18 & 19.

Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create music in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

"Rent is a musical that has become a contemporary classic but is still relevant to teenagers. I believe that this show will challenge our students and expand boundaries by exposing them to mature subject matter in an educational setting," said Bob Lawson, TUTS' Director of Education.

HSMT will hold casting auditions for young actors between the ages of 13 and 18. Students will need to provide an updated resume and headshot, prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre, up-tempo, pop selection in the same genre of Rent and provide the appropriate sheet music. Students will be expected to dance at their audition.

Dates: May 2 at 10:00 a.m., May 3 at 1:00 p.m. and May 17 at 1:00 p.m.

To sign up for an audition slot, call 713.558.8801 or visit TUTS.com/Rent for more information.

Casting auditions will be held at the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (800 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002).

RENT will mark the 12th production of TUTS' Summer Conservatory Program. This program at HSMT strives to bring Houston's finest musical theatre talent ages 13-18 together once a year to rehearse and present a fully staged production. These students enhance their musical theatre training through their interactions with TUTS' Artistic Team, directors, choreographers and musical directors.

To learn more about TUTS' Education and Community Engagement programs, visit TUTS.com/EDU.