LIVERMORE, CA — The subject of the email, entitled Rocky Horror Follow Up, attempted to console.
“Training to be an actor is a lifelong endeavor. It may consist of disappointment regardless of your talent or your work ethic, and remaining humble, hardworking and gracious will bring you the greatest rewards and growth and reputation… if this particular show doesn’t work out, there is always another opportunity.”
On August 29, 2025, LPC Theater released the cast list for its fall mainstage production of Rocky Horror Show, narrowed from 61 initial candidates.
Auditions for the musical were held on Monday, August 25, in Room 4127, the theater’s dedicated rehearsal room in the Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts. Two days later, 40 people were invited back for another round, this time in the Black Box theater.
In the end, 24 people accepted roles in the classic musical. Nearly two-thirds of the people were rejected.
The LPC Actors Conservatory (LPCAC) has seen a rise in enrollment. On top of that, this is the 50th anniversary of Rocky Horror Show — “a loud, proud, unapologetically campy cult classic filled with rock ‘n’ roll, risqué humor, innuendo, and the occasional burst of glitter.” It is widely popular, especially among the theater community, which led to considerable interest in the October performance at Las Positas.
With the popularity of the musical and the growth of the LPCAC, most of the first-year students were left out in the cold. Of the 24 spots in Rocky Horror, 11 went to second-year members and two alumni in the Conservatory. Only three first-year members in the Conservatory were chosen. The final eight spots went to the auditioners based on the vision of the director, Dyan McBride.
With a show so cryptic and obscene, should there have been more space given for new members in the Conservatory? Should the Conservatory have prioritized those newly committed to the program over those just in it for a chance to perform? Or was the complexity and significance of the show primed for the more experienced performers, leaving the first-years to watch from the wings?
Some might say that this decision brought LPCAC rookies to a disadvantage, but it was not up to them to determine — it was up to the director. Her decision was to choose excellence and experience. Without McBride’s vision, the stage is just a platform.
The Actors Conservatory is a two-year intensive program, hosted by the LPC Theater Department, that provides professional training for the intellectual, creative and personal development of theater artists. Being the only non-audition-based conservatory in the country, the Actors Conservatory believes that everyone is entitled to learn.
From what was once an eight-person cohort to averaging around 20 people, LPCAC has increased significantly in attendance.
Auditions were the perfect opportunity for McBride to determine who, what, and how she wants in her version of Rocky Horror.
“With the amount of talent plastered, this show could’ve been cast in 17 different ways,” said Michael Patin, cast as Brad, the lead male role.
In a normal audition process, you’d assume this schedule of: getting your name called, giving your music sheets to the accompanist, singing your song and leaving the building, either feeling you nailed it or you blew it. However, with McBride, “cold reads,” in other words, one-and-done impressions, are not part of her agenda.
“Dyan wanted what every director wants from someone who auditions: preparedness, professionalism, enthusiasm and the willingness to be directed… She is a good detector of potential,” says Scout Del Real, a second-year LPCAC student who was cast as Frank in Rocky Horror.
Throughout the entire night, McBride used each audition slot to its last second. Asking to sing their song in an operatic way, seeking insight about their dance experience, suggesting character choices, but most importantly of all, taking all of this and ensuring that these actors can listen and adjust to these requests instantly. This process took up the whole night, leaving auditioners to stay longer than expected.
“It may be an educational environment; however, rehearsals are to learn the show and shouldn’t be treated as just ‘a class,’” Del Real states.
Theater is always a learning experience, but given Rocky Horror’s explicit, vulgar content, basic skills of the theater trinity, acting, singing and dancing, will not be cut out for this production.
Patin, as previously mentioned, notes that the training in LPCAC has made him more confident in all areas of theater. Prior to his training in this program, he always thought that acting was just this “nebulous artsy thing,” but over time, it grew from a passion to a glimpse of his future.
“Students are given the opportunity in their time at the Conservatory to hone their skills as actors with the intention for them as artists that they either move forward to be professionals in our communities or they transfer to four-year institutions,” said LPCAC Coordinator, Titian Lish.
With this designed curriculum to shape students from amateurs to professionals, the Conservatory helps prepare these people for their acting careers and any obstacles that may arise along the way. Whether it is in preparation for an audition, tackling an unfamiliar role, or learning skills that can be useful in the long run, LPCAC will make sure that its students are well-rounded in all aspects.
“The hard truth is that you will not be cast in every production you audition for, no matter how talented you are. Sometimes your acting chops and spirit are perfect for a role, but you don’t yet have the vocal range or quality that the production calls for,” says McBride. “Remember, the goal of the artistic team is to make every person shine in their roles.”
Like she said, it is the hard truth, but it is never the end. Each year, LPC theater continues to grow along with its talent, providing plenty of opportunities for students to get back up on their feet and try again. Ranging from classes of Fundamentals of Acting to Shakespeare Studies, LPC Theater endlessly offers students chances to learn, to grow and shape as performers so that one day, they will take their spotlight on the center stage.
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TOP PHOTO: The cast rehearses for Rocky Horror Picture Show. (Photo by Sam Barnes/ The Express)
Kiarra Bautista is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on Instagram @KiarraFaithh.
