Chrysty Laske was in her element yesterday at the Playhouse Theatre. After singing lyrics like "far away you'll hear me singing softly to the dawn" for Paramount's Kings Dominion performance tryouts, it was obvious she had been through the routine before.

Laske (sophomore-graphic design) is an amusement park stage brat. She said she has tried out for Disney World, Busch Gardens and danced last summer at Six Flags to the point where she didn't mind performing "He's So Fine" with Daffy Duck.

"I feel OK singing them," Laske said about her lyric selection. "I think it's good for auditions because the shows at Six Flags, Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion are cheesy."

Laske represents a small breed of students.

Along with the gung-ho Laske, about 30 other students brought out their magic tricks, practiced concertos and stretched vocal chords and hamstrings for a chance to be a "main attraction" at the theme park.

Although most students know Richmond, Va.'s Kings Dominion more for its "Hanna Barbara Land" than quality musical revues, some, like Laske, crave nothing more than to perform in "Yogi's Summer Camp Craze."

Paul Haught, Kings Dominion entertainment manager, said he hoped to fill that void by holding auditions yesterday afternoon for any magicians, twirlers, singers, dancers and musicians willing to share the spotlight with Yogi.

"Quite honestly, the University has a fine reputation. We felt it was worth taking a day to audition here and see if it was worth it," Haught said.

Unlike the shows they're looking to fill, the auditions are serious. Haught said Kings Dominion auditions 1100 people and take about 100 of those. With the auditions lasting only two minutes each, it's hard to make a lasting impression.

Stage Manager Michelle Bruce said the judges look for more than talent, using appearance as part of the criteria.

"It's the overall package . . . you have to sell yourself," Bruce said.

During the summer, Kings Dominion will monitor your weight also, said Leslie Winn, freelance costume designer. Winn was responsible for beginning that monitoring process, measuring the performers 18 different ways after they left the stage.

Most seemed a little bit unglued after the auditions. Magician Hans Masing (junior-management information systems), who admitted most of what he could do can be found in the library, showered anybody associated with Kings Dominion with quick tricks. Masing got behind the drum set to do a few measures with a judge on the piano -- anything to win a few extra points.

Before leaving the theater, Masing joked to the judges, "I can juggle too."

Other performers went the multi-talented route. Michael Patrick Nolan (theatre arts-sophomore) passed out résumés, sang and tested to be a theater technician.

Whatever the talent, most students said they wanted to work at Kings Dominion for the money, about $325 a week.

Outside, Rebecca Dreyfuss (sophomore-theatre arts) looked a little dazed after singing a song from City of Angels and then reading the part of a Klingon in her two-minute audition.

"It was a little bizarre," Dreyfuss said.

What do you expect from the amusement park able to put on The Flintstones Go Hollyrock with a straight face?