Auditions
Quick Links
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
NWCT’s casting process begins each June with Season Auditions, where over 400 performers are seen for consideration for the next season of NWCT programming, including Mainstage casts and Second Stage programs. As part of our mission to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of young audiences, students and professional adult actors appear on the NWCT stage.2011-12 Season Auditions
The 2011-12 Season Auditions will be held June 8th, 9th, 10th (4pm-8pm) and 11th (10am-6pm). Auditions are by appointment with reservations accepted beginning May 2. To request your Audition appointment send email to Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager or call 503-222-2190 x 21. Download the season audition packet for complete instructions on how to prepare for your audition.
Below, please find general information about auditioning at NWCT. Audition Packets can be downloaded by clicking on the link in the Quick Links box above.
What am I auditioning for?
NWCT holds General Season Auditions in early June to cast the next year’s season of Mainstage productions and Second Stage programs. More detailes are provided in the Season Audition Packet along with a Season Performance Schedule.
Mainstage productions are fully-produced plays cast with professional adult and youth actors. NWCT produces five Mainstage shows per season.
Second Stage programs are performance troupes and professional training programs for advanced student actors, including Kid’s Company NW, KidsPro NW, Teens NW, Interns NW, and Summer Nights!.
What should I prepare for an audition at NWCT?
All auditioners (adult and youth) are asked to memorize and present:
- An age-appropriate monologue (30-60 seconds long)
- A song 16-32 bars long (musical theater-style preferred)
What kind of material should I prepare?
Monologues selected from a play (rather than from a book of monologues), and standards or musical theater song selections (rather than pop songs) are preferred. Above all, choose material you like that best shows your abilities.
Where can I find audition materials?
You local library and the internet are good resources for audition material. Audition classes are held at NWCT each spring, and private coaching sessions are available year round.
Who will watch my audition?
Sarah Jane Hardy, NWCT Artistic Director, Carolyn Newsom, NWCT Education Director, guest directors and various NWCT program directors are invited to watch Season Auditions. Carolyn also accompanies on piano. Parents, siblings, and friends are not permitted to watch the auditions.
What do I need to bring to the audition?
- Your completed Season Audition forms (in the Season Audition Packet)
- A current headshot (a clear photo of your face, any size, in black and white or color). A school photo is fine. Industry headshots are also accepted.
- A resume or Experience Form (available in the Season Audition Packet)
- Sheet music to the song you will sing, with the beginning and ending marked. Auditioners may also bring recorded accompaniment on CD or sing a cappella.
What and when are callbacks?
Callbacks are further auditions for specific shows or programs. Information is sent by mail to let auditioners know what they are being considered for. You will receive callback information approximately two weeks following your Season Audition.
NWCT holds callbacks on various dates throughout the season. Sometimes there is more than one callback date per show. If you are called back for any show or program you will be notified again closer to the callback date with details for preparation, and the opportunity to attend or decline.
If any of your contact information changes after Season Auditions, please be sure to update Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager, with your new information.
How will I know if I’m cast in a Mainstage show or Second Stage program?
You will be notified either in person or by telephone whether or not you are offered a role in a show or program after final callbacks.
When are rehearsals and performances?
The production schedule varies for each show. Rehearsals are typically afternoon/evening on Sundays, and evenings Monday-Thursday until Tech Week (the week before opening). Each show’s production schedule is distributed at the time of callbacks. Conflicts are considered during casting.
What if I still have a question not answered here?
Contact Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager, or 503-222-2190 x 21. The NWCT Audition Hotline (503.222.2190 x 28) is updated throughout the season.
NWCT’s mission is to educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of young audiences. Your audition experience is an important part of fulfilling that goal. If you have questions about your audition or casting following your callback, you are encouraged to contact NWCT.
Just for Adult Performers
Adult performers attend NWCT general auditions at the same time as youth performers.
Adults who have performed in a main stage cast during the past five years do not need to attend Season Auditions. Please send your current headshot and resume and a completed Adult Season Audition Packet (PDF is preferred format) to Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager.
Adult performers who are NEW to NWCT should schedule an appointment and complete the Adult Season Audition Packet.
Adults who have performed in a main stage cast during the past five years do not need to attend Season Auditions. Please send your current headshot and resume and a completed Adult Season Audition Packet (PDF is preferred format) to Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager.
Adult performers who are NEW to NWCT should schedule an appointment and complete the Adult Season Audition Packet.
Other information for adult actors:
- NWCT typically hires non-equity actors.
- Casting is usually age appropriate.
- Most main stage roles are paid. All performers receive complimentary tickets to the show.
- Rehearsals are typically Sunday-Thursday evenings until Tech Week. Calendars are distributed at callbacks.
- Our performance schedule includes School Matinees (daytime performances during the week) and Public Performances on evenings and weekends. Full performance schedules are included in the Season Audition Packet.
- Understudies are occasionally cast depending on a production’s needs. Please indicate on your Audition form if you would need an understudy to cover School Matinee performances because of daytime work conflicts. Understudies are not guaranteed.
- All conflicts are considered during casting.
