"The Pageant of the Masters" is holding an open casting call this weekend in Laguna Beach for its show next summer.
What is it: The nightly performance is part of the beach city's annual The Festival of Arts, where volunteers — in costume, make-up, and holding a pose — reenact famous paintings set to original live music. You might know it from the TV show Arrested Development, when George Michael, played by actor Michael Cera, wore never-nude jean shorts to recreate Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." Check out a still from that episode here.
What's new: Organizers is holding auditions for volunteers this weekend to participate in this summer's The Pageant of the Masters. Participation is open to anyone 5 and up; no theater experience necessary. The only requirement, say the organizers, is "the ability to stand still and have fun."
The history: The Pageant is centered around the entertainment tradition, "tableau vivant," which literally means "living picture" in French. The practice, according to ARTnews, came about during the 17th and 18th century among the aristocracy class before becoming more popular in the 19th century.
The artform had a viral moment during the pandemic, as the bored and quarantined masses, prompted by a Getty Museum challenge, started to recreate famous artworks using themselves.
Audition details: The open casting call is held backstage at the Pageant of the Masters on the Festival of Arts grounds at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach this weekend:
This year's The Pageant of the Masters takes place from July 6 to Aug. 30.
For more information on the casting call, go to www.foapom.com/volunteer
