Published: March 11, 2009 11:32 am      

McSwain scheduling auditions

ADA — Hoping to fill the stage with the area’s finest talent, the staff of the McSwain Theatre is scheduling open auditions for new band members.

Musicians are needed who play the banjo, bass, fiddle, keyboard, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, drums, saxophone, dobro, steel guitar and harmonica.

Judy McLellan, also known by the stage name of Jae L. Stillwell, is manager of the McSwain.

“We want to fill the stage with the finest talent in the area,” she said.

Ada’s historical landmark recently underwent extensive renovations and is set to re-open this summer. After its completion in 1920, the McSwain was a venue for dozens of movies, plays and performing artists for more than six decades.

Hosting everything from the first “talkie” movie in Ada to country recording artist Blake Shelton, the McSwain Theatre was a center of entertainment in southeastern Oklahoma.

In 2002, the Chickasaw Nation purchased the theater and began supervising its operation. The Nation is also spearheading the current renovation effort. Plans are to restore the theater to its original glory days, in both appearance and reputation.

The renovation includes a facelift, inside and out, and a new stage area complete with state of the art lighting and sound technology.

The closing date for scheduling an audition is Wednesday, March 25. To schedule an audition, phone Stilwell at 580-332-8108 or e-mail judy.mclellan@chickasaw.net.