Before the lights, the camera or the action there’s auditions. In the halls of South Broward High School there are around 50 students preparing their pipes for the Chicago musical auditions. 

The drama club is showcasing a musical at South Broward High School during the spring. They hosted auditions for the musical, Chicago.  

Days January 22-23 were the tryout dates. The auditions were split into two days. For the dance tryouts Victoria Mejia, one of the drama club’s president, taught everyone a small part of the dance, and had them perform it in groups of four. For the vocal auditions the girls were told to learn the song “Roxie” and the boys had to learn the song “Mister Cellophane”, which are both from the Chicago musical. 

Only 24 people will be casted to perform, yet around 50 people auditioned to be in the musical. The drama club had alumni, people that have already graduated that used to be in the drama club, come in to judge the auditions along with Ms. Spears and Sabrina Abalos, one of the drama club’s president.  

Chicago is a story based on murder, love and greed. The musical debuted in 1975 and has since been the longest running musical on Broadway. Chicago is known for its amazing dance scenes and beautiful singing that tend to seduce the audience. 

Carly Cook is a senior at South Broward who has been in the drama club for two years. Cook has been singing and dancing since she was little and loves doing it. She is hoping to get casted as “Roxie”, a wannabe star who kills her lover after finding out he was never going to make her famous. 

“I think I did pretty good. I don’t want to get my hopes up, I don’t want to get my hopes down, but I didn’t mess up, so that’s a sign,” said Cook. 

South Broward High School freshman, Kameron Lopez, auditioned as well. He has been singing since he was just seven years old and has recently started doing musical theater. After the auditions Lopez was nervous. 

“I think I did pretty good, but I did mess up once, so I don’t know if that’s going to count against me, but let’s see how it goes,” said Lopez. 

Lily Beltran has been in chorus since she was very little. She’s a ninth grader at South Broward High School that is very interested in the drama club. When Beltran found out about musical theater, she decided to immediately take part in it. After the auditions she came out quite confident.  

“Well I’d like to think I did pretty good, my voice was a little shaky when I belted but I think other than that, pretty good,” said Beltran. 

The rehearsals for Chicago start February 6th, and the show will be held before spring break.