Much of the 'Shanghaied' cast gathers in the bar scene, where futures are predicted, dastardly deeds are plotted and much 'wodka' is consumed. Submitted photo Judy Niland.

This could be Alan Isaksen’s big moment.

At age 52, he’s kept his dream a secret. But after hearing about the upcoming auditions for “Shanghaied in Astoria,” he has decided his time has finally come.

Only recently having relocated to Astoria, for the 18 years while previously living in New York, he relished going to the theater. “It made me feel alive to see them,” he says of the performers, “to watch them doing something I want so much to be doing myself.”

Still, for all that time, and really since the age of 15, his love of singing has been a closeted affair.

“I was in church,” he recalls of the moment he grew quiet. “I was singing out loud and suddenly noticed people were looking.”

Did he have a good voice? Was he singing off-key? All he could see were their side glances, and from that moment to this, he’s chosen to be safe. His songs have been sung only when no one’s around.

Which for “Shanghaied’s” director, Dana Lewis Allen, makes him a perfect fit.

“Everyone who’s ever thought, ‘I can do that,’ should come, because in fact, they can,” she insists.

In her second year directing the show, Allen has a passion for newcomers.

Other summer activities are fine, she allows, but she’s seen how “Shanghaied” brings people out of their shells. It makes for a big crazy family, she says of the season. “A world of its own” is how she describes it, where each and every person finds a place for themself.

But what of auditions?

Isaksen has seen the musical, “A Chorus Line.” He’s got a good idea of how it all works. You step on a stage, you’re given your shot, then from the dark of the audience a voice shouts “thank you,” and just like that, you’re dismissed.

As in, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

“It can be intimidating for a new actor to think there’ll be a room full of pros watching and judging,” Allen understands. “But it’s so not like that.”

Instead, she describes the experience this way.

The auditions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 14 and 15, making Wednesday for newcomers, then Thursday for veterans.

“When you come in the door,” she warns, “you’re going to see a lot of people excited to be back. For them, it’s been since last season that they’ve seen these same friends, so the atmosphere is like a family reunion.”

Each person attending will be given an application for posting contact information, and for listing any prior experience with being part of a show.

Show business experience is not a requirement, Allen is quick to explain. It’s the potential she’s seeking, the willingness and dedication, and from that she claims her success is in pulling talent from people. “We’ve cast newcomers who had no experience that went on to become some of our audience favorites,” she says.

Along with experience, the application will request details of what conflicts, if any, there’ll be for the season.

Understandably, Allen allows, people do have lives, so all of the roles are open for double casting.

When the audition begins, everyone gets up on stage together. Allen emphasizes that no one is expected to step out alone and deliver a performance. On the contrary – these auditions are more about ensemble.

That’s why as a group, everyone is given a chance to warm up. Stretches and vocal exercises are meant to help break the ice. So for those who are singers, their auditions will be choral, not solo. And for those who are dancers, the steps will be given for all to try out.

Then for anyone who wants to read for a role, they will have that chance.

“We want all kinds of people to come out for auditions,” Allen repeats. Even if they think they can’t sing a note or can’t dance a step, even if they feel they’re just too shy, she says the show has something for them.

Indeed, she expects many who attend may opt to pursue their other interests. For costumes, wigs and makeup, for backstage operations, Allen assures the opportunities are there.

Still, what’s most important for Allen, she says of the auditions next week, are the newcomers like Isaksen.

“It can be very intimidating,” she knows from experience. People have panicked, she’s seen in past years. They’ll get to the theater, then suddenly at the last minute, decide to drive away.

That’s the very moment Isaksen is seeing as his moment of truth.

“I’m basically a shy person,” he explains of his dilemma. “It’s very scary to think of finally doing it.” For him, these auditions are a push to be sharing the talent he has kept to himself.

Allen understands what that’s like. Theater was her background, performing and directing in Fairbanks, Alaska, before moving to Knappa and teaching high school. She got into so many activities, she said, that she’d forgotten how meaningful it is to be part of a show.

“It’s hard work,” she says of the theater life. “But when it all comes together, you feel absolutely fantastic.”

That’s why she urges any and all who may be thinking of coming to the upcoming auditions to push through their fears. “Then the first time someone asks for your autograph, it will blow you away!”