Joann Verderosa said she wasn’t sure how her small, Jack Russell terrier named Vinny would do at an audition for live theater, but it couldn’t hurt to find out.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Ballston Spa Middle School Drama Club held auditions for local dogs to play the lead’s canine companion in this year’s production of “Annie.” More than 20 dogs tried out for the role of the little orphan’s sidekick, Sandy.
“We’re looking for a well-trained dog, who is good around kids,” said Co-Director Joe Shaver. “The dog also has to be comfortable in front of a crowd 1,000 people, and pretty.”
Also being auditioned was an understudy dog for Sandy and a group of runaway dogs that get chased by a dogcatcher during a scene.
For the audition, dogs were led on stage one at a time with their owner. After the dog became acclimated to being on stage and around the girls playing orphans, they then were asked to perform a few basic tricks and interact with 7th grader Emily Sargent, who stood in as Annie during the auditions.
Scenery and lighting director Pat Ferlo worked with the dogs and Sargent, as Shaver and his Co-Director Matt Lopez watched. This will be the fifth time Ferlo has been apart of an “Annie” production and the second time he has done doggy auditions to find the role of Sandy.
“You can tell as soon as they come in if they are right for the part,” said Ferlo. “So far all of them have been sociable and none have nipped at us, but they need to know the sequence of commands we need for this to work.”
Sandy’s big scene comes toward the middle of the production, according to Shaver. At one point Sandy is caught by the dogcatcher. Annie then calls out for Sandy, who escapes the dogcatcher’s grasp.
“But Sandy isn’t the dog’s real name.” said Shaver. “Sandy has to come when she’s called in the scene when she’s called, because if she doesn’t it’s bad news for Sandy,” he joked.
That’s why the directors decided to hold auditions so early. Opening night isn’t until Feb. 3, but that leaves plenty of time for the selected dog to get used to the actors and learn its temporary name.
Despite the worries of Vinny’s owner, he did well during his audition. He was able to sit, stay, come when called and stand for a treat. He also interacted well with the actors.
“I’m not a dog trainer, but he’s my dog and he reacts to me well,” said the Clifton Park resident.
Verderosa said she’s trying to get Vinny into dog modeling, so if he wins the role it will be good practice for his future career. He currently is contracted with an agency in the Hudson Valley and recently landed his first job.
“We did a photo shoot for Oprah Magazine last week,” she said. “It’s exciting.”
Stacey Walz, a kindergarten teacher at Wood Road Elementary School, brought in her black Boston terrier named Toga to try for the role.
“He’s just such a good dog, we thought it would be fun for our family and friends to see him up on stage,” she said. “Plus, I bring him into school a lot so he’s pretty famous with the students.”
Eleven-year-old Toga – named after Saratoga – faired well during his audition by responding to his owners and the directors when they called.
Abby, who played Toto during the district’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” several years ago, also tried out, but not for the role of Sandy.
“I don’t think she would be as Sandy because she’s not good with commands,” said Abby’s owner and Joe’s mother, Barb Shaver. “We’re trying her for the role of a runaway because she’s basically just good at being cute.”
While auditions were happening inside the Ballston Spa High School, an adoption clinic was happening outside sponsored by Mohawk Honda in conjunction with the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.
Some of the dogs up for adoption even auditioned, in the hopes a star was in the midst of the rescued pups. Even if they weren’t chosen, the audition was then put on their adoption resumes.
By mid-day, Shaver said he believed they had found a couple of dogs who would be cast in the production, but he wouldn’t say who.
“You’ll have to come on opening night to find out,” he said.