University Theatre (UT) aspires to inclusive casting that reflects our world, and our community. Auditions are open to all currently enrolled NC State students regardless of gender, race, ability, or identity. You do not have to be a theatre minor—or even be taking a theatre class—to audition for a production.
Commitment to the Audition Process
UT is committed to a welcoming and transparent audition process that supports students with various levels of experience. Unless a character choice is dictated by the author or the story, casting will be based on the actor’s experience level and fit for the particular role/cast, rather than skin color, body type, gender identity, or physical ability. If a student requires a special accommodation, said student may contact the show’s director in advance to make that request.
Audition Orientation
To prepare for auditions, an orientation session is scheduled the day before at which you will have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as get insight into the audition process. While attendance is voluntary, these sessions prove to be very beneficial – especially if you are new to University Theatre.
What To Expect Upon Your Arrival
After being greeted, you will sign-in, have your student ID scanned, photo taken, fill out an audition card, and be assigned an audition number. Additionally, in completing the audition card, you will be asked to provide any known rehearsal schedule conflicts. Bring your current academic and/or work schedule(s) to aid you in completing this task. And finally, have fun!
AN IN-PERSON PROGRAM: PART OF THE WRIGHT WAY SERIES**
- Audition Orientation: Jan 12
- 7-9 pm : Thompson Hall
- Auditions: Jan 18-19
- 7-11 pm : Thompson Hall
- Rehearsals: Feb 6 – March 2
- Performances: March 3-6
*coming soon
Themes: Disability Visibility & Inclusion
Content Warnings: Adult & Ableist Language
For more information contact Mia Self: mlself3@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
An In-Person Program – part of the Producing Series**
- Audition Orientation: Jan 12
- 7-9 pm : Thompson Hall
- Auditions: Jan 18-19
- 7-11 pm : Thompson Hall
- Rehearsals: Feb 6 – March 20
- Performances: March 31-April 10
What to prepare to audition for The SpongeBob Musical
Auditionees will need to prepare for the following:
- warm up together;
- sing a song, preferably memorized, and bring an accompanying paper copy of the music, in the correct key, for the accompanist;
- dance/move in a group session and briefly demonstrate any special movement skills you have (tap, tumbling, etc.);
- read/act from scenes/sides you will receive copies of at the audition and that are available on the audition site.
The audition orientation is not required but will walk you through the whole process so you can feel more comfortable with what you will be doing.
You can find sheet music on Scribd.com (they have a 30-day free trial) and through the NC State Library database at https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/disciplines/music (though these resources are older).
*coming soon
Themes: Inclusion & Friendship
Content Warnings: Moments of Fear & Suspense, Climate Change & Anti-Science, Immigration & Othering Language
For more information contact Mia Self: mlself3@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
A STUDENT DIRECTED PROJECT
Project 303 is in collaboration with THE 303 Stage Directing class. Student directors will cast and create scenes to share with selected audiences in our Living and Learning Communities this fall.
An In-Person Program – UT Beyond Series**
- Auditions: Nov 1, 2021
- 5-5:45pm or 6-6:45pm: Thompson Hall 150
- Rehearsals: Nov 2 – 10
- Rehearsal Schedule based on actor availability with student director.
- Actors and student directors will sign-up for slots based on schedule below
- Actors will rehearse no more than four hours a week and no more than eight hours for the project
- Performances: Nov 11 & 12
- November 11: 4:30pm – Honor’s Village
- November 12: 7:00pm – Arts Village
- Scenes are four-to-six minutes in length
*coming soon
For more information contact Mia Self: mlself3@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
An In-Person Program: part of the producing series**
Auditions will be broken up into three sections each night with 25 spaces available for each section. Students must sign-up for an audition slot.
- Audition Orientation: Sept 1
- 7-9 pm : Thompson Hall
- Three 30-minute slots available
- Auditions: Sept 2-3
- 7-10 pm : Thompson Hall
- 50-minute slots available
- Rehearsals: Sept 7 – Oct 7
- See Rehearsal Schedule below
- Performances: October 14-24
- See Rehearsal Schedule below
Themes: Social Expectations & Freedom, Love & Marriage
Content Warnings: Heightened language, Paternalistic language & actions, Supernatural characters
For more information contact the show director, Mia Self: mlself3@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
An audio, video, and In-Person Program: part of the UT Beyond Series**
Auditions will occur at the same time as Midsummer auditions above.
Auditions will be broken up into three sections each night with 25 spaces available for each section. Students must sign-up for an audition slot.
- Audition Orientation: Sept 1
- 7-9 pm : Thompson Hall
- Three 30-minute slots available
- Auditions: Sept 2-3
- 7-10 pm : Thompson Hall
- 50-minute slots available
- Call Backs: Sept 8
- 7pm : Thompson Hall
- Audio and Video Recordings
- Recordings will occur by appointment throughout the fall semester.
- Live Performances
- Rehearsals will occur Fall of ’21
- Performances will occur early spring ’22
- More info to be provided at auditions.
Themes: Friendship, Women in science, mystery and conspiracy.
Content Warnings: Adult and Patriarchal language
For more information contact the show director, Jayme Mellema: jsmellem@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
An In-Person Program: part of the wright way series**
- Audition Orientation: Sept 1
- 7-9 pm : Thompson Hall
- Three 30-minute slots available
- Auditions: Sept 2-3
- 7-11 pm : Thompson Hall
- Three 50-minute slots available
*coming soon
Themes: Disability Visibility & Inclusion
Content Warnings: Adult & Ableist Language
For more information contact Mia Self: mlself3@ncsu.edu
**MAY CHANGE DUE TO COVID GUIDLINES
For general performance and audition information please contact Asst. Director for Performance and Academics, Mia Self at mlself3@ncsu.edu
What To Bring:
- Your Student ID card;
- Your academic and work schedule – you will need to list all conflicts (dates/times you are not available for rehearsal) on your audition card;
- You may be asked to provide a list of your previous theatre experience on your audition card. If you wish, you may bring and attach an acting resume;
- If audition sides are used they are provided above, however you may bring your own copies of audition sides;
What to Expect:
- Signing in – when you check in, you will be assigned an audition number and have your photo taken;
- You do not need to memorize sides or a monologue for UT auditions – the Production Director will ask you to read from the pre-posted audition sides;
- You may be partnered with other auditioners to read a scene or a monologue from the pre-posted audition sides;
- You may not have your cell phone or any other electronic devices (including smartwatches) on stage during your audition;
- You may be asked to attempt improvised movement or dance choreography during the audition. Auditioners are encouraged to dress in a way to make movement comfortable and safe. This includes comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes.
After the Audition
- Once the show has been cast, an email will be sent to all auditioners with a link to the cast list;
- If you have been cast and you choose to accept your role, you will need to accept your role and submit your playbill bio on the Production Resources page: go.ncsu.edu/cast-crew
- Potential participants have the right to decline casting offers without fear of reprisal such as losing future opportunities. Participant are not required to explain why they chose to decline an offer;
- Your Stage Manager will email you with information on where and when to pick up your script;
- Visit the Production Resources page for a working rehearsal calendar, show-related information, and to sign up for costume measurements.
Definition
The role of swing is an understudy who learns the blocking, music, and/or choreography of one or more role(s) without expectation to perform the role(s.) The swing is expected to attend all rehearsals and be ready and available to perform the role(s) should the actor assigned to perform the role be unable to attend a rehearsal or performance due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances. Swings are not expected to memorize lines nor will they be costumed for specific role(s).
Purpose
Being a swing provides the participant with an opportunity to gain skills through observing rehearsals, practicing performance, and being a collaborator on the performance team.
They provide essential backup for specific roles so that if the actor in the play is unable to rehearse or perform, the show process could continue. Casting a swing allows for students with differing abilities to participate without concern of interrupting the rehearsal or performance process. Swings may potentially be tasked with additional responsibilities based upon their skills and abilities and the needs of the production.
Procedure and Responsibilities
Prior to auditions, the Production Director will determine their needs for swings, and those roles will be cast as part of the audition process. When a student auditions for a UT production, they will be asked if they are interested and willing to serve as a swing. There are no expectations that students will accept swing roles.
If cast as a swing, the actor is responsible for attending specified rehearsals, writing down and learning blocking and/or choreography, and becoming familiar enough with the script so that they could reasonably perform the role(s) if the cast actor was unable to. Swings are not required to memorize lines – they carry a book on stage.
Swings are not provided a costume, and they will not perform unless they need to replace an assigned actor in a rehearsal or performance. If a swing needs to replace an actor for a performance, the decision of whether to make the replacement permanent will be decided by the production team and they will keep in direct communication with the two actors involved as the decision is being made.
Swings will be credited as full company members.
Swings shall remain “on-call” up to 1 hour prior to show time, prepared to perform. Swings not contacted 1 hour prior to showtime will be released from their duties for the day’s performance. Stage management will call swings in and prep pre-show items as needed.