The Art of Auditions
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Have you ever watched a play and said "I would love to do that someday?" Were you in your high school's performance of Streetcar Named Desire and think back on it as one of your fondest memories? Do you sing loudly in the car or the shower? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then there is a place for you in High Point Community Theatre!
The most important word in the name of our organization is COMMUNITY. Our actors, backstage workers, set builders, costume sewers, even the guy who drives the truck are all members of the High Point area community and come together to build each production. And in building those productions, we end up building a community of our own.
So below, find a few of the things you've always wanted to know about High Point Community Theatre but were afraid to ask… |
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How
are your casts selected?
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| The cast of each production is selected through open auditions. There are usually two nights of auditions approximately 7 to 8 weeks before each play. You only need to come to one of those nights unless asked to come to a "call-back" audition. A call-back is when the director needs a second look. Sometimes they are called so the director can look at different combinations of people, sometimes so that they can hear a different scene or a different song. There are not always call-backs; and if there are call-backs, but you are not asked to come, it does not mean that you will not be cast. |
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How
do I find out about auditions?
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| Auditions are publicized with all area media but the sure way to get information is to go to HPCT's web-site (www.hpcommunitytheatre.org) and click on the "Add Me To The Mailing List" link. You will then be notified by e-mail of all HPCT events. |
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Is
Everyone who auditions cast?
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| No, for each production there are a certain number of principal roles and often an ensemble. We cast as many people as the limits of the play, space and budget will allow but usually not all are cast who audition. But the best thing to do is come back for the next one! With each audition experience, you gain a little more knowledge of the process. All actors are turned down at some point in their career. Many people are cast at their first audition, and many have to try a few times. Try not to be discouraged! And if you get nervous, feel free to ask to stop and run for some water. Or if you feel that you did really badly, change your name and come back the next night! We've all been there and we all know that the audition process is nerve-wracking. All we can promise is that we are empathetic to your nervousness, that we will smile at you and be as supportive as possible during the process. |
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What
do I need to prepare before the audition?
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| Auditions
vary depending on the production, the directorial staff and the number
of people we expect at the auditions. Any specific requirements are included
in the audition release material. The norm for musical auditions includes
all those auditioning to prepare a song and to bring the sheet music to
the audition. Please bring that music in the proper key. An accompanist
is always there to play for you. That song can vary from a hymn or Christmas
carol to a Broadway show tune. The selection is totally up to you. Just
remember, short and sweet is best.
Often we
teach a short dance combination for our musical auditions and for both
musical and nonmusical auditions you will be asked to read something
from the script. |
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DANCE???
I don't know how to DANCE!!!
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| Depending on the dance difficulty required for the musical, it may not be a problem. That's what rehearsals are for. At the audition just show us your best shot and if we see that you can follow the instructions and pick up a little that is taught, then we know that you will be able to learn it. With that being said, the dance required for A Chorus Line is drastically different from the dance required for Fiddler on the Roof. Some productions require really good trained dancers, and we will always try to specify that in the audition releases. |
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Is
experience required?
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| No. Many of those auditioning are adults who haven't been in a play since they were the third lamb from the left in their Christmas pageant. Many of those have been involved in some area, either they have done plays before or studied dance or sung in their choir. And many have a lot of experience either in community, academic or professional theatre. We usually end up with a mix of all three for each production. While we make every attempt to have quality productions, an equally important mission is to reach into the High Point community and provide an outlet for those interested in being involved in theatre as an avocation. So no experience is necessary, just a desire to be involved. |
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If I am cast, do I have to rehearse every night? |
| HPCT traditionally
rehearses each play 5 times per week for anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks prior
to opening. We schedule rehearsals with the actors' schedules in mind,
and we make every attempt to waste as little time as possible. Actors
are only called on the nights that the scenes they are in are being worked
on. So if you are in half of the play then you can expect to be called
to about half of the rehearsals. We rehearse on weekday nights usually
from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and on the weekends either afternoon or evening
depending on the casts' schedules. The key is to bring your schedule to
the audition. You will be asked to fill out a conflict calendar. We build
a rehearsal schedule around those conflicts as much as possible. But,
if you have a meeting every Monday night and a class every Tuesday night
and church choir every Wednesday night and volunteer work every Thursday
night and a date with your spouse every Friday night, you probably don't
have time for HPCT. In that case, we'd love to see you in the audience.
The only time we ask you to dedicate every night to us is the week of the show which is known as “Tech Week.” That is the week that we are adding all elements of the production—scenery, costumes, orchestra—to the work that has been done in rehearsal.
The only
thing that I can promise is that your dedication of time and energy
to an HPCT production will be more than repaid in the fulfillment of
working together to create a wonderful production, in the many friends
that you will make, and the pride in helping to build our community.
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How
can I find out more information???
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| Information about any HPCT activity can be found either on our website www.hpcommunitytheatre.org, by email at jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or by calling the HPCT office at (336) 882-2542. I will be excited to talk to you and happy to answer your questions. |
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Jennifer
Blevins
Executive Director High Point Community Theatre |
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Contact
Us
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