Rend Lake College is headed back to the 19^th century this semester to bring to life the French novel “Les Misérables” for the annual Spring Musical.  Auditions are scheduled for January 20^th through the 22^nd in the Theatre, and the musical will unfold on the RLC stage April 9^th through the 12^th.  Students interested in performing should attend one of two audition dates at 6 PM on January 20^th or 21^st.  Performers are asked to dress in business casual and women should wear dresses or skirts.  During this first round of auditions, actors will be asked to perform 32 bars of a musical theatre song.  The 32 bars will need to be memorized.  Rebecca Newburn will be the accompanist and, if possible, she would like the sheet music be emailed to her in advance at newburnr@rlc.edu.  Sheet music should also be brought to the audition.  No karaoke or a cappella singing will be allowed.  Callbacks are scheduled for 6 PM on Thursday, January 22^nd.  Those who receive a callback will be asked to wear dance-appropriate clothing, bring dance shoes if available for a possible dance performance, and be prepared to sing music from the show.  Spring Musical Director Sara Alstat says “Les Misérables” is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862.  The plot begins in 1815 following the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and closes in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris.  The novel follows the lives and interactions of several other characters.  The novel has been adapted many times in film, television and radio as a musical, including the award-winning film of the same title in 2012.  Sheet music can be found online at www.musicnotes.com or www.sheetmusicplus.com.  For more information, contact Alstat at 618-201-2044 or alstats@rlc.edu.  Rehearsals for the musical will be 6 to 9 PM, Mondays through Thursdays starting January 26^th.