Audition Guidelines for Actors

Attention: the Winter 2011 General Audition will be held in the 1st floor Center House Theatre. The UGA is RESERVED for TPS and PATA member actors. All ACTORS MUST have a headshot and resume attached to their current 2011 Member Profile PRIOR to applying for the audition.

Actors receive the following amount of time in which to perform their audition (monologues; song):
  • AEA/EMC performers: 3 minutes (monologues+ 18 bars of a song - if applicable)
  • Non-AEA performers, qualified recent university graduates: 2 minutes (monologues+ 18 bars of a song - if applicable)

Your Audition: The Facts

Auditions will take place in in , . Follow this link for a map, directions (by car, bus, & train), and bus routes.

 
  1. Pre-Audition Procedures:

    Performers must arrive at designated arrival time (see above). Performers must check-in at their arrival time or risk losing their time slot. If you do not check-in at your designated time, TPS can not guarantee that your resumes will be properly sorted and distributed to the auditors prior to your audition.

    Provide proof of AEA or EMC status if applicable
             READ THIS: ALL union affiliated actors MUST bring proof of current Union Status to the audition or risk forfeiture of slot.

    If you are singing as a part of your audition, have your music (in your key) ready to give to the accompanist.

    Performers are registered in ½ hour blocks. It is essential that you are ON TIME for your scheduled 'Arrival' designation. Your 'Audition' time noted on your form is an approximation.

    You will be given a choice of warming up in one of two rooms:
    • Quiet Room -
    • Loud Room -
    • Please initial next to your name on the sheet posted in your warm-up room of choice.
    • You and the rest of the performers in your group will be asked to stay in the Warm-up room once you have checked in at the top of your ½ hour check-in time. The monitor will NOT search for you if you are not in the warm-up room.
    • The monitor will review the procedures with you at this time confirming your audition order.
    • When you are "on-deck", you will be prompted by the monitor where you should be so that you are ready to enter the theatre for your audition.
  2. Audition Procedures: When given the cue to go:



    If you are singing as a part of your audition:
    • Give your music to the accompanist as soon as you enter.
    • Give any instructions about tempo and the cue when the accompanist should start.
    • Please have any cuts or changes in the music clearly marked.
    • A word of advice (not a rule) - Do your monologues first - it gives the accompanist time to look over your music

    Clearly and loudly state your name and the piece(s) you will be performing--name of play or song, playwright or songwriter, and the character you will be portraying.

    If you are doing two short monologues, make sure to announce that fact and identify both pieces in your introduction.

    When you complete your piece(s), say "Thank you" clearly to the auditors, so that they know you are finished.



    The next actor should be taking stage as you leave it.
  3. Timing:

    As noted above, you have a specific amount of time in which to perform your audition:
    • AEA/EMC: 3 minutes. ALL Others: 2 minutes
    • You may use it at your discretion.
    • You may do any combination of pieces (monologues; song) not to exceed your time limit.
    The timekeeper starts the clock when you begin your first piece:
    • Your introduction (name-play-character) is not part of the time limit.
    • Be aware, however, that if your piece involves silent action before the first word is spoken, the clock will be running.
    When your time is up, the timer will say "Thank You". If time is called on you, stop immediately and exit downstage left. DO NOT plow through and finish anyway, no matter how close to the end you may be. Your time is up - finish graciously.

  4. Auditor info: Information on which auditors saw your audition will be available . The Auditor Attendance record will also be updated and available here: direct link to auditor info here.
  5. Callbacks are the responsibility of the auditing company. As most auditors are local, they may not be holding callbacks for several weeks to months. A few auditors do hold callbacks in the evening of the same week of the auditions and you may want to be prepared to be called in the evenings of .
  6. IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR AUDITION FOR ANY REASON

    Let us know ASAP by emailing audcoord@tpsonline.org.

    Canceling less than 24 hours before your audition? You MUST call , and leave a message.

    Please notify us prior to your audition time - your audition time can be given to people on the waiting list.

    NO-SHOW and actors over their 2-3 minute audition length will be required to attend a pre-audition screening process before signing up for the next year.

For any other information about your audition, consult the TPS website - https://tpsonline.org - or email TPS Unified General Auditions Coordinator at audcoord@tpsonline.org

Your Audition: Suggestions

The following suggestions are included particularly for actors who are new to general auditions such as these, but others also may find them useful. The suggestions are not hard and fast rules; they are offered to help you prepare for your audition.

  1. Material Selection: Choose material you enjoy and are comfortable with.
    • The theatres and casting directors that attend these auditions present a wide repertoire; so choose material that shows you well rather than trying to guess what a specific theatre might be looking for.
    • If this is your first time at these auditions, choose pieces that represent you. This is your introduction to the TPS auditors.
    • Avoid trying to tailor your audition to a specific play within an auditor's season. Without knowing the director's vision, you may cast your self incorrectly. Let the casting directors do their job. You do yours - Your Best Audition.
    • Avoid pieces requiring an accent if this is your first time at these auditions.
    • Avoid narrative pieces that are just storytelling. It is always better to present a character going through emotions, rather than reciting a narrative describing them later.
  2. Timing: It is a good idea to time your piece(s) to a little under your time limit to give yourself a bit of breathing space. That way, if your rhythm is a bit slow on your audition day, you won't risk being interrupted with "Thank You" before you reach the big finish. (Note: Don't feel you must fill the entire allotted time limit - shorter pieces are fine.)
  3. Props: Avoid props! Anything you carry onto the stage with you must be carried off immediately when you leave. For example, a letter or a pair of gloves would be OK if you feel they are essential to your monologue, but don't carry on an armload of things. Avoid firearms, and NEVER use any item that risks making a mess and littering the stage for following performers. NO LIQUIDS! Also, NEVER use anything that is part of the set for the host theatre's current production. Your audition should showcase you and your talent only. Props always risk drawing attention to themselves in an audition setting.
  4. Dress: There is no dress code for the TPS Unified Generals, but these suggestions are offered:
    • Dress appropriately for your piece(s). Your clothes should fit your piece(s) without being a costume. The simpler the better. You want the auditors focused on you and your talent, not on your outfit.
    • Dress in a way that reflects who you are, as well as who your character is. The auditors are forming an impression of you, the person, as well as of your performing ability.
    • Please avoid disrobing during your audition. If you must, please carry your clothes off stage with you and dress there!
  5. When Onstage: Be sure to find the light on stage and don't hide upstage. Also, be sure to speak loudly and clearly. Check the pronunciation of unfamiliar words before your audition. Do not give any other introduction to your piece-no plot description or "setting the scene".
  6. Preparation: DO NOT let the day of the audition be the first time you perform your piece(s) for other people. Try to get a director or fellow actor or even a non-theatre person to view your piece(s) and give you feedback beforehand. Not only can an objective eye point out problems you can't see for yourself, but having shared your work with another person before your audition will boost your self-confidence considerably.
  7. If possible, relax and have fun! :
    • The auditors are indeed looking to see your talent. They rely on the TPS Unified General Audition to introduce them to new faces and to new facets of familiar ones. They want to see you do well!
    • Don't be disappointed if the auditors do not react to your piece(s), or if you see them writing during your audition. They ARE paying attention to you.
    • Your career does not begin and end with your timed TPS audition. This is not your one and only chance. Have a good time. This is your time to shine - enjoy it!