Get ready to hold still

Suzie Harrison

It’s not enough to just strike a pose, no matter what Madonna says.

If she were singing about the Pageant of the Masters, she would add,

“and hold it.”

It’s that simple, and that difficult. But for those who are up to

it, the Pageant of the Masters is looking for men, women and children

to volunteer for next summer’s show, “Portrait of the Artist,” which

will be staged daily July 7 through Aug. 29.

People of all ages and sizes are welcome and needed to become cast

members in the famous presentation of “tableaux vivants.” The casting

call is from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 17; from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 18; and from

7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 22. During tryouts, prospective volunteers are

measured and photographed, they meet the behind-the-scenes pageant

staff, and they can partake of refreshments and snacks. They also get

to see the display of what pieces were chosen for this summer’s show.

This year, people will be trying to fit into characters from “The

Dance” by Henri Matisse, “Les Demoiselles D’Avignon” by Pablo Picasso

and “The Storyteller” by Buck McCain. No theater or acting experience

is necessary.

It takes a cast, or around 500 people, to make the show happen

each year, and in addition to posers, volunteers are needed for

positions in wardrobe, makeup, headdress departments and more.

“On average, 850 people show up for casting call, and only 12% of

our volunteers are from Laguna Beach,” director Dee Challis Davy

said. “That’s kind of a low percentage. I challenge or encourage some

of the Laguna Beach locals to volunteer.”

Its fun to be involved in such a time-honored tradition, she said.

“I hope more Laguna people will try out,” she said. “It’s the same

procedure as the last 30 years, as far as I can remember.”

Many volunteers come back year after year, as well as many

generations of families and their friends. Students can earn credit

toward community service requirements by volunteering for the

pageant.

The Pageant of the Masters is 90 minutes of “living pictures,”

which originated in Europe centuries ago.

Challis Davy said that the volunteers are the most important part

of the show and there could not be one without them.

The casting call will be backstage at the Irvine Bowl, on the

Festival of Arts grounds, at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For more

information, call (949) 494-3663.