Want to make a TV show? Olympia media company needs actors, crew. Here’s how to audition

Jared Gendron
·2 min read

Ever wanted to work on a television production crew? Or do you have a passion for acting?

Thurston Community Media, a nonprofit corporation based in Olympia, is in the early stages of creating a new community-produced entertainment program called Live at Five. The media company is searching for actors and production crew over 18 years of age to get the show off the ground. The show is expected to start airing this summer.

The show’s aim is to produce sketches and digital shorts “written and performed by local media makers and actors, highlighting local cultural heritage, and current events while bringing some family-friendly fun to screens across the area,” according to a Monday news release from the company.

Nonprofit arts organization OlyFilm Collective will be producing the show’s digital shorts. The organization has shot several short films and a documentary series that highlights local arts scenes in the Puget Sound region.

Live at Five will air live on TCMedia channels 22 and 77 on Xfinity at 5 p.m., beginning June 3. It will also be streamed online at the company’s website.

Thurston Community Media began in 1983 as a nonprofit organization. According to its website, the media company creates programs that reflect community interests and enhance expression of free speech.

How to audition or apply to crew position

The company will be hosting auditions at its Olympia studio at 440 Yauger Way, Suite C, which is just west of the Capitol Village mall. Actors will be reading from a cold script prepared by the production team, media producer Robert Kam told The News Tribune via email. There will be two rounds of auditions:

  • Saturday, March 25 from noon to 4 p.m.

  • Saturday, April 22 from noon to 4 p.m.

Anyone can make an audition appointment by emailing liveatfive@tcmedia.org, but you can also show up to an audition period without reserving a spot ahead of time. Resumes and headshots are also not required.

Volunteer crew members must also be studio certified. Those who want to volunteer can sign up for a three-week studio class with Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation. During the class, students will learn studio production fundamentals, like operating a camera and working in video and audio software, at one of TCMedia’s studios. Participants will produce a TV show during the final class. The training sessions take place Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. on April 19, 26 and May 3. The entire class costs $85. Enrollment will become available after April 3, Kam said.

Kam says that field crews who work on the digital shorts don’t need to be certified.

For any further information, you can call the media company at 360-956-3100.