Auditions FAQ

Town & Gown Players
Frequently Asked Questions
about Auditions

What training and experience do I have to have to qualify for a part?: None at all. Many Town & Gown members have never taken a class, and every production brings in several people who haven’t done a show lately (or ever).
Is there a minimum age?: Ask the director of the show. Town & Gown doesn’t have an age policy as such, though some directors prefer to cast adults.
What does the director expect to see and hear in auditions?: The best you can do under these rather tense circumstances. Most directors want to learn what your voice sounds like, how you look on stage, whether you can walk and talk at the same time, and how you read.
Whether I can walk and talk at the same time?: That’s right, not everybody can.
What makes the circumstances tense?: People who don’t know one another very well are competing through their skills, and other people who don’t know them very well are making decisions about their future.
How will the other auditioners treat me?: Most likely they will be pretty much focused on their own efforts. Some will welcome you and others may not seem to notice you at all.
What about the production staff?: They’ll thank you for showing interest in the project.
What does “cold reading” mean?: Town & Gown directors typically hand you some “sides” (pages from a script) and ask you to read such-and-such a part in a scene. It usually isn’t as cold as it sounds: You’ll most likely have some prep time before going on.
Does everyone else get to watch my audition?: Some directors think they get the best results by reading people before an audience; others believe they can learn more with no audience but themselves.
What if I do badly?: It can happen. As you leave the playhouse, be sure to look up the next audition date.
I can keep trying?: Most people get better the more times they audition.
How do the better readers differ from the others?: Clarity and projection, other vocal and physical skills, comprehension.
Can other factors affect my success?: Sure. The director may have a physical or vocal type in mind and you may not fit it. Your calendar may have too many conflicts with rehearsal or performance dates. You may be seeking the wrong part. There may be flu going around.
If I only want the lead, isn’t it dishonest to say I’ll accept any part?: Yes, it is. So....
Think hard about what you agree to and what you insist on. Saying you want the lead or nothing can give the director an easy choice (always appreciated) and won’t reflect on your future attempts. Saying you’ll take any part and then declining a non-leading one can poison your relations with the whole company. But maybe you just want to get a toe in the door; there’s nothing wrong with asking to read for that featured part even if you doubt you’re up to it. Just give the director a straight answer about what you will accept.
How many rehearsal conflicts will knock me out of contention for a part?: Depends on the part and the director. If you have a supporting role and would only be called for half the rehearsals in the early weeks, the production staff might schedule around you. A lead role probably means you’re called for most rehearsals, and your conflicts become a big problem.
Then I should minimize the number of conflicts I report when I audition?: Sure. This time. The next director you try out for will know not to trust what you say.
Are conflicts in the early weeks different from those later on?: Of course. Show dates are not negotiable. Dress week requires every player every night, but some directors will cut you a little slack. In the first two or three weeks there may be a lot more flexibility.
What if I think the director unfairly did not cast me?: As you leave the playhouse, be sure to look up the next audition date. No one can overrule the director on casting.
And I have to pay to be in the show?: Yes, you must join Town & Gown Players if you become part of the cast. Member dues support the newsletter and other activities not directly connected with the show. The membership committee will explain more fully as rehearsals get under way.
How can I take part in the show even if I’m not cast?: Town & Gown has dozens of other jobs. Become a techie. Usher at a performance. Get to know the people. Teach folks to rely on you.