Major in Anything. Participate in Theatre
Welcome to audition central where you’ll find the information you need to audition, tips, as well as helpful information once you are cast in a show! University Theatre auditions are open to all currently enrolled NC State students regardless of race, ethnicity, identity, or ability. You don’t have to be a theatre major—or even be taking a theatre class—to give it a shot. We’re always looking for enthusiastic new talent for our shows!
Auditions are held in Thompson Hall, unless otherwise noted, and typically held six to eight weeks in advance of a show’s opening. An audition orientation is scheduled the day before auditions are held where you will have the opportunity to have your questions answered as well as get insight into the audition process. If this is your first time auditioning at University Theatre, the information disseminated during this session is invaluable.
We look forward to seeing you at auditions this year. If you have additional questions or require special accommodations to audition, contact us here. Break a leg!
When you arrive for a University Theatre audition, you will sign-in, fill-out an audition card, have your All-Campus card scanned, a photo will be taken and you’ll be assigned an audition number. Bring your current academic/work schedule as the director will need to know all of your conflicts upfront. You’ll then wait for the director or stage manager to call your name. Most likely, you’ll be partnered with others to read a scene and/or given a monologue. You’ll be given the opportunity to read more than once. While it’s not required, you may attend both nights of auditions if you wish.
In general, University Theatre student production auditions utilize sides — short scenes or monologue readings from the script — provided at the audition. The sides are also placed online in advance of the audition to familiarize yourself. Additionally, full perusal scripts are located in the lobby at Thompson Hall.
Musical auditions. In addition to the above, prepare 16-bars of a song of your choosing. Bring the sheet music, marked and notated in the correct key for your voice range. An accompanist will be provided. You will also be taught a song and dance combination from the show.
TheatreFest is our summer repertory season. Auditioners sign-up online for a 10-minute time slot once auditions are announced. Prepare a short monologue and be ready to read from selected sides. See note above when auditioning for a musical. However, every director and play’s audition requirements might be different.
Audition Sides Orchestra Pit Accept your Role
A glimpse into small town America. It’s a nostalgic remembrance of neighborly ways and sentimental romance. But it is also a reminder of the cycles of our life – the certainty of childhood, the bewilderment of adolescence, the joys and losses of adulthood. Grover’s Corners is precious because it is a reminder that even the simplest life is beautiful when we look closely. Directed by Mia Self, by Thorton Wilder
Run Dates: September 26-October 6, 2019
Audition Orientation: Tuesday, August 20, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Audition Dates: Wednesday & Thursday, August 21-22, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
See above for audition sides
An Open Door Series production. Set in 1935, the play shows a slice of the lives of eight women gathered for a day to rehearse for a charity event. This iconic play by Cuban American writer Maria Irene Fornes focuses on gender roles and the struggle against female stereotypes. Presented in “promenade” style, the audience travels to different locations in Thompson Hall to observe the action of the play. Directed by Rachel Klem, by Maria Irene Fornes.
Run Dates: October 23-27, 2019
Audition Orientation: Wednesday, September 18, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Audition Dates: Thursday & Friday, September 19-20, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
See above for audition sides (when available)
The satire of The Colored Museum has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America. From Git on Board to The Last Mama-on-the-Couch Play, the museum’s “exhibits” undermine Black stereotypes – old and new – and return to the facts of what being Black means. Directed by Ron Foreman, by George C. Wolfe.
Run Dates: November 14-24, 2019
Audition Orientation: Wednesday, September 18, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Audition Dates: Thursday & Friday, September 19-20, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Perusal script available to read in the lobby at Thompson Hall. Although “The Colored Museum” is not a musical, several of the exhibits use or are comprised of music. See above for audition music and sides.
In this adaptation of E. L. Doctorow’s novel, historical figures like Emma Goldman, Booker T Washington, and Evelyn Nesbitt intersect with three groups of New Yorkers – the upper crust of New Rochelle, the African Americans of Harlem, and the Eastern European immigrants at the Lower East Side. Boundaries are crossed, alliances are forged, and lives are explosively altered in this glorious musical. Directed by Mia Self, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Book by Terrence McNally, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
Run Dates: February 19-23, 2020
Audition Orientation: Wednesday, October 30, 7:00pm, Stewart Theatre
Audition Dates: Thursday & Friday, Oct 31 & Nov 1, 2019, 7:00pm, Stewart Theatre
Siblings Vanya and Sonia live in their ancestral home in Pennsylvania where they spend their days bemoaning their small lives and tiny cherry orchard- if it can even be called an orchard. When their rich movie star sister, Masha, comes for a visit with her sexy young boyfriend, Spike, she informs Vanya and Sonia that she is selling the house. Chaos and revenge plots ensue. While Christopher Durang plays on Anton Chekov’s characters and situations, the audience doesn’t need to know Chekov’s plays to enjoy this absurd and hilarious comedy. Directed by Rachel Klem, by Christopher Durang.
Run Dates: April 1-11, 2020
Audition Orientation: Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Audition Dates: Thursday & Friday, January 30-31, 2020, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
See above for audition sides (when available)
Student Shorts is an evening of three short plays about identity and being human. Directed by NC State students and guest director Lormarev Jones.
Haiku by Kate Snodgrass — An estranged daughter returns to her family hoping to convince her aging mother and her differently-abled sister to come live with her.
The Spirit Is Willing by Nicole Quinn — A chance encounter between two former high school acquaintances forces them to come to terms with their life choices.
21 Chump Street by Lin-Manuel Miranda — A 15 minute musical about a nerdy but confident high schooler who falls for the new girl at school – but the new girl has a secret of her own.
Run Dates: March 18-22, 2020
Audition Orientation: Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
Audition Dates: Thursday & Friday, January 30-31, 2020, 7:00pm, Thompson Hall
See above for audition sides
Be prepared to read from sides and to participate in a warm-up and movement segment.
If you are auditioning for “21 Chump Street“, please be prepared to share a portion of a song. You can use your phone to play a karaoke clip if you want. Rap songs are encouraged.
Contact Rachel Klem for additional questions related to the audition process.
- Read the whole play.
- Think about the world of the play.
- Consider all possible parts you could play.
- Read your scene or sides out loud at least five times—all the characters.
- Make sure you understand what all the references mean, where the humor is, what the tone is and what happens in the scene.
- Ask yourself two basic acting questions about the scene: “Who am I talking to?” and “What do I want?” (Hint: You don’t need to BE something, you need to DO something.)
- Highlight your lines.
- Get enough sleep.
- Get enough water and healthy food.
- Warm up your body and your voice.
Do not:
- Memorize your lines.
- Block (add full movement to) the scene.
- Attempt to imitate a famous performance.
- Schedule anything else for the rest of the evening.
- Drink alcohol or extra caffeine.
- Eat garlic or onions.
- Forget to shower.
- Wear good clothes but nothing distracting.
- Wear or bring appropriate shoes.
- Remove your jewelry.
- Bring water in a bottle and some breath mints.
- Bring your script, sides or scene and a pencil.
- Show up early.
- Sign in.
- Read the rehearsal schedule very carefully.
- Fill out the information card legibly and completely.
- Turn off your cell phone in the lobby and keep it off.
- Prepare to stay until you are dismissed.
- Be willing and ready to read for other roles.
- Have a positive, upbeat, courteous and courageous attitude.
- During the scene: stand in 1/4 position, speak clearly, listen closely, breathe fully, make eye contact with your scene partner, allow yourself to be nervous.
- Take direction if it is given.
- Show everyone you are a team player and easy work with.
Do not:
- Talk, sleep or distract anyone during someone else’s audition.
- Use any media devices of any kind in the audition room.
- Bring food except an energy bar if you need it.
- Chew gum.
- Apologize for your performance.
- Criticize your performance.
- Look at anyone but your scene partner during the scene.
- Ask the director too many questions.
- Be difficult or expect special treatment.
- Thank everyone who facilitated your audition.
- Leave the building.
- Relax.
Do not:
- Leave anything in the audition room, including trash.
- Hang around in the lobby talking.
- Beat yourself up about your audition.
- Criticize anybody else’s audition.
- Make any assumption about the casting.
- Give it another thought until the cast list is posted.
- Forget that it’s only a play.
- Accept your role and provide your bio for the playbill here»
- Pick up your script. Your stage manager will contact you soon with rehearsal dates and where to pick up your scripts.
- Visit the Production Resources page for calendars and other pertinent show-related information.
- See “A note about stage makeup” below:
A note about stage makeup
For hygienic reasons, all cast members will need to supply their own basic corrective stage makeup, applicators (including makeup sponges, brushes, brush cleanser) and makeup remover/towelettes. Application of said stage makeup will be guided by the makeup designer and/or the makeup crew. Cast members are expected to provide foundation, highlight/shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and blush and lip color.
If students anticipate participating in University Theatre shows or enrolling in the stage makeup class, we recommend purchasing a “Ben Nye Theatrical Creme Kit” in your color palette. If you need help in sourcing makeup or determining your color palette, please contact Laura Parker for assistance.
In instances where specialty makeup or specialty makeup effects are necessary (including, but not limited to, stage blood, scars, false ears/noses, hair whitening, etc.), University Theatre will supply said specialty makeup and/or prosthetics.
If an actor has visible tattoos that need to be covered, said actor will be responsible for effective and appropriate tattoo cover-up makeup. If the actor needs guidance on what products would be effective, please contact Laura Parker.