Information for first time auditioning with OAP
Just the fact that you’ve reached out to this link is the first step. It starts with a desire to do something different and creative. We know that this process is new and intimidating so we want you to know that we will help you through every step of this process and do our best to make sure that not only you’ll be successful, but you’ll have a great time and make some new friends.
Step One…
Reach out to us by email or social media messaging. Tell us who you are and that you’re interested in auditioning for a part in one of our productions. That’s it! It’s simple and within a few hours, we will respond and send you digital copies of the script(s) for you to read over at your leisure.
Step Two…
Read the script(s). Look at the different characters and imagine if there is one who you might be able to be. You don’t even have to go that far. You can simply like the play and read it for various parts. Remember, it’s not just who can become a character in our play, it’s also how you work off the others who will also be there for an audition.
Step Three…
SHOW UP! Arrive at the audition start time (usually 7:00 pm). Someone from our Artistic Team (Director/Producer/Stage Manager) will greet you and have you fill out an audition application form. We provide the forms and even the pens. Once you fill it out you can simply return it to the front table and go back, have a seat and RELAX! We will often have a PDF link to the audition form off our Auditions Page on our website. You can always print it at home, fill it out and bring it with you. On the audition form you can indicate if there is a specific play or character that you are interested in.
Step Four…
The Producer will introduce the Artistic Team and welcome everyone. The Director(s) will briefly talk about the play and the characters. They will the proceed to call people up to the open area, give them copies of a section of the script and ask you to read it together as a group. They will also ask if anyone else would like a chance to read. You don’t have to do anything that you are not comfortable with. You can just sit there and watch if you like. Often we will have new people show up just to observe and will come back ready to read on the second night. There is NEVER any pressure. You can ask questions whenever you want. We’ve been doing this for a very long time, and we are specialists when it comes to new auditioners.
Step Five…
Feel free to return to the second audition session the next night if you’d like. It’s not a requirement but sometimes people feel more comfortable after they’ve done it once and feel they would like to try it again.
Step Six…
WAIT. That’s it, you wait. The Artistic Team will go over the audition applications and talk about who they felt would be suitable for each role in the play(s). Then they make a final decision. The Director will personally reach out to the candidates that are being offered a part and the Producer will personally reach out to those candidates who weren’t successful. This usually happens within a day or two of the last audition evening. Occasionally, people may be invited back for what we call “call backs”.
Here’s the most important part… EVERYONE including the Director, the Producer, the most seasoned community theatre Actor HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR A PART!! It’s all part of the community theatre experience. Each play requires a certain type of Actor to fill a role and that team of Actors all have to be able to work together to make the vision of the play come to life. Getting rejected is NOT a reflection on you or your skills. It means that there were others that fit that particular vision better than you did. Shake it off and look forward to the next time! You can also volunteer to be a part of our crew. We are always in need of people to work backstage, help build props and set pieces, sell tickets, put up posters, be ushers, costumes, hair, make up... and the list goes on!
Step Seven….
If you are asked to take a role in a play and accept, the Artistic Team will advise you of the timing of the first “table read”, rehearsal schedules, contact information, etc. and then….you’re on your way!
Step One…
Reach out to us by email or social media messaging. Tell us who you are and that you’re interested in auditioning for a part in one of our productions. That’s it! It’s simple and within a few hours, we will respond and send you digital copies of the script(s) for you to read over at your leisure.
Step Two…
Read the script(s). Look at the different characters and imagine if there is one who you might be able to be. You don’t even have to go that far. You can simply like the play and read it for various parts. Remember, it’s not just who can become a character in our play, it’s also how you work off the others who will also be there for an audition.
Step Three…
SHOW UP! Arrive at the audition start time (usually 7:00 pm). Someone from our Artistic Team (Director/Producer/Stage Manager) will greet you and have you fill out an audition application form. We provide the forms and even the pens. Once you fill it out you can simply return it to the front table and go back, have a seat and RELAX! We will often have a PDF link to the audition form off our Auditions Page on our website. You can always print it at home, fill it out and bring it with you. On the audition form you can indicate if there is a specific play or character that you are interested in.
Step Four…
The Producer will introduce the Artistic Team and welcome everyone. The Director(s) will briefly talk about the play and the characters. They will the proceed to call people up to the open area, give them copies of a section of the script and ask you to read it together as a group. They will also ask if anyone else would like a chance to read. You don’t have to do anything that you are not comfortable with. You can just sit there and watch if you like. Often we will have new people show up just to observe and will come back ready to read on the second night. There is NEVER any pressure. You can ask questions whenever you want. We’ve been doing this for a very long time, and we are specialists when it comes to new auditioners.
Step Five…
Feel free to return to the second audition session the next night if you’d like. It’s not a requirement but sometimes people feel more comfortable after they’ve done it once and feel they would like to try it again.
Step Six…
WAIT. That’s it, you wait. The Artistic Team will go over the audition applications and talk about who they felt would be suitable for each role in the play(s). Then they make a final decision. The Director will personally reach out to the candidates that are being offered a part and the Producer will personally reach out to those candidates who weren’t successful. This usually happens within a day or two of the last audition evening. Occasionally, people may be invited back for what we call “call backs”.
Here’s the most important part… EVERYONE including the Director, the Producer, the most seasoned community theatre Actor HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR A PART!! It’s all part of the community theatre experience. Each play requires a certain type of Actor to fill a role and that team of Actors all have to be able to work together to make the vision of the play come to life. Getting rejected is NOT a reflection on you or your skills. It means that there were others that fit that particular vision better than you did. Shake it off and look forward to the next time! You can also volunteer to be a part of our crew. We are always in need of people to work backstage, help build props and set pieces, sell tickets, put up posters, be ushers, costumes, hair, make up... and the list goes on!
Step Seven….
If you are asked to take a role in a play and accept, the Artistic Team will advise you of the timing of the first “table read”, rehearsal schedules, contact information, etc. and then….you’re on your way!
Check out our upcoming auditions here
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