Auditions: What to Expect

AUDITION LOCATION: Epworth United Methodist Church 4855 Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43615 USING THE CENTRAL AVE. ENTRANCE

AUDITION DATES: August 12 and 13 from 5-7:30 pm (call backs, if needed are Aug 16th 2-4 pm)

1) View the character roles and song list at this link. When you complete the Audition Form, it will ask you what role(s) you are interested in playing.

2) Prior to the audition, you should complete the Audition Form. Download the form and type your responses on the form, print it out and bring it with you to the audition. You may also complete the form when you arrive at the audition, copies will be available.

3) Use thisSign Up Genius linkto reserve an audition time slot. Audition sign ups will be in groups of 8 at a time.

This is imperative! If we are later informed of major scheduling conflicts (long vacations, for example, or being in another production at the same time) that we were not made aware of at auditions, we have the right to recast you to a different role or even let you go.

You will only attend auditions during the hour you signed up for (8 auditioners per hour)! Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to Epworth Church. ENTER the Central Ave door, follow the signs posted about where to go. Wait for your audition time to start.

● What do I do when I arrive?

1. Sign in and turn in a completed Audition Form, have your picture taken. Wait patiently until you are called into the audition area.

● What will the audition be like?

First, we want you to relax and have FUN! Take this opportunity to show us your personality and skills. The more confident and energetic you are, the more we can see your capabilities. Your audition will involve three components. You must participate in all three: Vocal, Reading, and choreography

1. VOCAL:

As part of your audition, you’ll be asked to sing. You will sing individually for the directors. For this show, we’d like auditioners to choose and prepare a well-known song OR a song from our “Audition Song List”. Go to YouTube, find the song form the show. Please provide an instrument/karaoke track (check YouTube).

● Why should I choose a well-known song or song from the song list? Many times, auditioners sing a song that the directors are not familiar with, so it is difficult to gauge whether or not they are singing on pitch. The directors then ask the auditioner to sing another song, like “Happy Birthday” or “Twinkle Twinkle” in order to assess for pitch. Having auditioners sing not one but TWO songs, only adds to the length of auditions. We prefer you provide accompaniment music, as opposed to singing a cappella.

● What if I don’t get to sing my whole song?

Don’t worry if you are interrupted and don’t get to finish your song. This will happen with everyone and only means that we have heard enough of your voice to give us a good idea of your sound. You may also be asked to sing some scales to give us an idea of your vocal range.

2. READING:

You will also be asked to read lines from the script along with other auditioners. You do not have to read a certain part in order to get that same part in the play! By just reading any character you can give us a good idea of your abilities.

Remember to speak loudly, clearly and put as much expressive energy into your reading as you can.

3. CHOREOGRAPHY

Our choreographer will ask you to follow her in some moves.

● When am I done with auditions?

You are finished when you have completed the singing, acting, and dancing portions of the audition.

● Can I come back and audition for the same thing twice?

This is not encouraged. If you feel a need to do so, speak with the director.

● What if I get “called back”?

Callback auditions mean that we would like to see you audition again for some reason. It does not necessarily mean that you are guaranteed a part. We just need to find out more before we make our casting decisions.Callbacks (if we need one) TBA auditioners will be notified by our stage manager by email or phone.

● What if I am not “called-back”?

It does not necessarily mean you haven’t been cast. You could not be called back and still be cast in the show. Please do not contact the directors to inquire if you’ve been cast or called back.

● When will I know if I have been cast in the show? The cast list will be posted by our stage manager on FB and/or Sylvania Arts website

YOU MUST CONFIRM THAT YOU ACCEPT YOUR ROLE, by sending an email to the stage manager jatheater509@yahoo.com 

Once you accept your role you are committed and we will be counting on you!

● If you are not cast in the show, you will likely be disappointed. Please consider becoming involved in the production in some other way. No production is successful without the work of the crew! We will need help with lights, sound, props, make-up, costumes, backstage crew, publicity, tickets, set-building, etc. We hope that Finding Nemo Jr. will be a fun and meaningful experience for everyone involved, in whatever capacity they participate.

● If you are cast, but not in the role you wanted, please continue with the production. Unfortunately, some people take these decisions very personally and leave the production entirely. The directors must always do what is best for the success of the show and although we wish we could give everyone a speaking role, it’s just not possible! Chorus members are integral to a show and still have an AWESOME theatre experience. We hope that cast members will support each other and choose to be happy and supportive of their cast mates.

Special notes:

Attendance is mandatory for all of Tech Week (October 19-22) and all performances

(October 23 and 24-two shows). If you have a conflict during those dates, you will not be cast. If you are unaware of a conflict and it arises after the show has been cast, you may be asked to leave the production. This is not to be mean, but it is ESSENTIAL to have the full cast present for tech week and performances!

If you accept your role as an actor in the cast, you will be asked to put in a minimum of four hours working backstage, with set building, painting, costumes, or wherever you are needed most. We will need this commitment from every actor. If you are not willing to put in this extra time, please do not audition.

Parent volunteers are also an essential part of our productions’ success.

● When will the first meeting be held?

All PARENTS/GUARDIANS & CAST MEMBERS will be expected to attend a Parents’ Meeting on Tuesday, August 18th@ 5:00pm at Epworth. If you have a conflict and cannot attend, let us know at gottalent39@gmail.com Irina Zaurov, director phone number: 419-343-8578

A non-refundable participation fee is required for each actor. The cost is $145.00  The participation fee includes the cost of a script, t-shirt, and contributes to general operation of the show. Participation fees will be collected via online or by Check to Sylvania Arts. If your family is in need of financial assistance, contact Ken Dymond, Executive Director at sylvaniaarts@gmail.com

Parents will be required to sign up for at least one committee and at least one rehearsal monitoring slot. These will be available via SignUpGenius at a later date.

● When will I receive a complete rehearsal schedule?

Our rehearsals will start on August 18, 5-7:30 pm. We will be holding most rehearsals from 5:00-7:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays. We might add more rehearsals on Sundays close to our Tech

 It depends on the role which days/dates you’ll be required to attend. You may have some conflicts along the way, but starting October 1st at the absolute latest, everyone must be at every rehearsal through the run of the shows, which are scheduled October 23 and 24th at the Franciscan Center in Sylvania.

Thank you for sharing your talents with Sylvania Arts Youth Theatre! Break a Leg!

Overview of Important Dates:

August 12&13, 5-7:30 pm- Auditions

August 16- Callbacks (by invitation only) from 2-4 pm

August 17- Cast list posted online and you must confirm acceptance of role by email

August 18- Mandatory Parent Meeting

August 18- Full Cast Read Thru

August 28- Participation fee due online or by check to Sylvania Arts (we prefer a check, it lowers our expenses)

August 18-October 15- Rehearsals (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) we might add a few Sundays close to our tech week.

October 19-21 Tech Week

October 22-Dress Rehearsal (run like a show)

October 23- Performance at 7 pm

October 24: matinee at 2 pm, and evening show at 7 pm After the evening show: strike with some possible clean up on Sunday

Cast party TBD