Auditions
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.2013-14 Season Auditions
The 2013-14 Season Auditions will be held in June 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2013. Auditions are by appointment with reservations accepted beginning May 1. To request your Audition appointment send email to Wendy Reznicsek, NWCT Production Manager or call the Audition Hotline 503-222-2190 x 28. Be sure to include the following information in your email or voice message: your name, performer's name, age of performer if under 18, phone number (required for confirmation and reminders), and your preferred date and time to audition. The audition schedule will be June 5, 6, and 7 between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm; and Saturday, June 8 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Each audition lasts a maximum of three minutes. Further details are in the packet. A Youth Season Audition Packet and an Adult Season Audition Packet will be available for download soon. Bring the completed Forms with you to the audition; please do not send them to NWCT prior to your audition.
Current NWCT students: If you are enrolled in an Audition Class (Spring term) or are a current member of STUDIO NW, you do not need to schedule an audition appointment. Your audition pieces will be performed for our Directors during one of your scheduled class sessions.
Below, please find general information about auditioning at NWCT. Season audition packets will be available for download soon.
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's 2013-14 season of plays will be James and the Giant Peach, Peter Pan, Goodnight Moon, and Little Red "Riding Hood".
Second Stage programs are performance troupes and professional training programs for advanced student actors, including Kid’s Company NW, Studio NW (an evolution of former KidsPro NW and Teens NW programs), 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; Suezann Kitchens, STUDIO NW director; and guest 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 Form (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 US mail to let auditioners know what they are being considered for. You will receive callback information via US mail approximately two weeks following your 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 via email 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, or adults who auditioned at the PATA Spring 2013 City-Wide Auditions, do not need to schedule an audition appointment. Please send your 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, or adults who auditioned at the PATA Spring 2013 City-Wide Auditions, do not need to schedule an audition appointment. Please send your 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.
