Auditions for “Torn Apart, Together” October 7
Pictured: Vanessa El-Zein will direct this production at HFC.
HFC Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming musical showcase called Torn Apart, Together in the Adray Auditorium of the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F on the main campus) on Monday, October 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Auditions are open to any HFC students, Henry Ford Early College students, dual-enrolled high school students, HFC theatre alumni, and University of Michigan-Dearborn students. No prior acting experience is necessary.
Once the cast is chosen, required rehearsals For Torn Apart, Together will be every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Torn Apart, Together will debut Friday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. with an additional show Saturday, February 16, at 3:00 p.m.
“This is not a play, but a musical theatre showcase that explores complex themes of love,” said director Vanessa El-Zein. “The multi-faceted topic of love can take on many forms – the relationships with friends, family, and with ourselves. With love comes joy, sorrow, longing, and loss. We will weave that together to tell a unique story. We'll be performing music from Next to Normal, Frozen, Spring's Awakening, Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and much more. Torn Apart, Together gives us the opportunity to learn that musical theatre can come in many forms, from many genres, and yet bring us together to create a cohesive and wonderful concert.”
Singing is one of the most vulnerable art forms
An alumna of Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, El-Zein earned her associate degree in business administration from HFC and transferred to Eastern Michigan University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music. After hearing her work as music director for In The Heights at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, HFC Director of Theatre Dr. John-Michael Sefel contacted El-Zein about working on a new showcase idea, which turned into Torn Apart, Together.
“I had the privilege of seeing John-Michael's work on Leo's Big Day Out and The Detroit Wall Project at HFC,” recalled El-Zein. “He was like, ‘Hey! Let's do a thing!’ And I was like, ‘Okay! let's do it!’ And here we are!”
Torn Apart, Together marks El-Zein’s directorial debut at HFC.
“I'm looking forward to meeting and working with new people. I love to sing and, more than that, I love to share that joy with others. I want to share my experience and knowledge, and hopefully give others a memorable and fun experience delving into the world of musical theatre,” she said. “Singing, to me, is one of the most vulnerable art forms there is. No matter what you believe your current skill level is, I encourage everyone to audition. My goal is to build people's confidence and offer everyone equal opportunity to find their voice on and off the stage.”
For questions or more information about Torn Apart, Together, contact El-Zein at velzein99@gmail.com.