E.M.U. Theatre to have auditions

E.M.U. Theatre will have auditions for two one-act plays at 7 p.m. Dec. 20-21.

The plays are “Futz!” by Rochelle Owens, and “Self Torture and Strenuous Exercise,” by Harry Kondoleon.

Auditions will be at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.

Owen’s 1967 avant-garde classic “Futz!” is the story of a man in love with his pig. His actions so anger the town that he is killed. Though the show is considered controversial, it poses thought-provoking questions about individual rights and community responsibilities.

“Self Torture and Strenuous Exercise,” an existential screwball comedy full of outrageous physicality and flying props, is about four people isolated from each other by their perceptions of the universe but connected by love (and literary) triangles.

New artist joins Fields Gallery

Elizabeth Rowley, who recently moved to Lawrence from Wichita, is the newest addition to Fields Gallery’s slate of artists.

Rowley works in a variety of media, painting pleine-aire landscapes in oil and building encaustic on a variety of surfaces. She explores the limits of her surface by gouging, scraping and layering with encaustic, fibers, metallic paints and glitter.

Rowley’s works may be viewed at the gallery, 712 Mass. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call the gallery at 842-7187.

Youth musicians wanted for K.C. competitions

Kansas City, Mo. — Two Kansas City music organizations have announced competitions for young artists:

• The Kansas City Symphony will be host to its annual Young Artist Competition Jan. 15 at the Lyric Theatre, 11th and Central, Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City area instrumentalists in grades 9-12 are invited to compete for three cash prizes and a chance to perform a concerto with the Kansas City Symphony. Contestants are asked to prepare a five- to eight-minute movement from a standard concerto or a short work with orchestra accompaniment. Applications are due Jan. 3. For more information, call (816) 471-1100 or e-mail jhull@kcsymphony.org.
• The Metropolitan Opera National Council will have 2005 District Auditions at 10 a.m. Jan. 22 at White Concert Hall, University of Missouri-Kansas City Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo. The competition is an opportunity for young singers to perform before distinguished judges and audition for the opera. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 3. For more information, call (816) 523-2731 or e-mail bbaugh@planetkc.com.