At NYT Wisconsin, auditions are an open casting call; nothing is precast. Students, 7*-19 years old (by audition date), are eligible to audition. Students have “1 minute to shine” and should prepare a 1-minute song highlighting their vocals and acting through song. (*students age 7 must have completed a previous NYT camp or class to be eligible to audition)
Q: How much does it cost to be in a show?
A: The cost will vary per show. Our production fee is $160 per student (with a $20 sibling discount per student within one family). All students are required to purchase a stage makeup kit (approximately $25; one kit will last multiple shows) and a garment bag (approximately $6). Other purchases are optional, but encouraged! To see a breakdown of most costs, click here.
Q: How do I sign up for auditions?
A: Step 1: Sign in to JackRabbit (create an account if needed) and enroll your student in the production “class.” This is very important for communication purposes; any student not enrolled in the production via Jackrabbit will not be considered audition-ready.
Setp 2: Fill out the Theater Forms (available 1 month prior to auditions)! This is where you will choose your audition time, and answer some audition questions! You will be asked to upload your audition track. Students have “1 minute to shine.” We recommend preparing as for a 1-minute song highlighting your vocals and acting through song. We recommend using a karaoke/backing track. You can find these on iTunes, Amazon, etc.; there’s many options. The link to this form is in the class description of your chosen production.
Step 3: Fill out the Parent Committee form. This is a questionaire to help us place adults on the required Show Committees. The link will be in the Theater Forms confirmation email as well as the Wednesday WhatsUp weekly communication emails.
Q: What can I expect at auditions?
1) When you arrive, head to the welcome table, confirm your conflicts and receive an audition number to put on your shirt. (Take a picture of, write down, or somehow remember this number as it will be the number used for callbacks).
2) Wait in numerical order with a group of about 10-13 fellow auditioners until the directors are ready, which could be a few minutes before or after your actual audition time slot.
3) Enter the audition room, which will include the directing team, up to 15 fellow auditioners, and their parents / family members.
4) Audition in numerical order. As each student’s number is called, he or she will come in front of the directing team, introduce themselves and their song, and perform the 1-minute audition, say their audition line (if requested for the show). Students will then take their seat until the entire group is finished. Then they will be dismissed.
5) Proceed to dance auditions. The dance portion of auditions is closed and family member are asked to wait in the waiting area. The dance will be taught at auditions, there is not need to learn a combination ahead of time.
6) Get a headshot taken. Before your audition, if there is time, or after your audition group is finished, you will have a photo taken for the playbill. (This does not guarentee casting)
7) Be measured for costumes. If you have not filled out the optional costume form link sent in the Wednesday WhatsUp emails, a volunteer will take and record measurements for the costume team. (This does not guarentee casting)
8) Go home and get some rest.
9) Check the NYT website for callback information. Usually posted late at night or very early the next morning.
Q: What should I bring to Auditions?
A: Auditions may last anywhere from 45 mins to 2 hours, depending on many factors. Please bring the following:
1) Calendar to confirm rehearsal conflicts.
2) Black shirt for the playbill headshot. You may wear this or bring it to put on before the picture.
3) Clothes you can dance in plus jazz shoes if you have them. Sneakers and socks work if not. (You may wear the same clothes for all of your audition or change before the dance audition.)
4) Water (and consider a small snack)
Q: What are callbacks?
A: Callbacks involve singing for a specific role(s), reading for specific character(s), and/or learning more advanced dances. Songs from the actual show are featured at callbacks, and call back material will be available 2 weeks before auditions. Learn all the songs from the show for callbacks in advance, especially the ones you feel you could be called back for. As a performer, you should try to prepare in advance for roles whenever possible. Sometimes the music is not available in advance for lesser-known works, but often the songs are easy to access online.
If your child is called back, you will receive notification sometime after auditions. Callback information will be sent via email through Jackrabbit and published on our website.
Q: If my student is not called back, does that mean they were not cast?
A: No. All students are considered for casting even after callbacks have been completed. If a student is called back, it does not automatically signify they will be cast in a featured role. Likewise, the directors sometimes know who they are casting in a lead role without a callback. Directors consider many factors in casting, while we wish we could always cast everyone, the team must consider cast size, student maturity, conflicts and more in their decision. The number of conflicts allowed is at the discretion of each lead director for each show. However, please be aware that, cuts are possible, and every child may not be cast. Please be aware that one sibling may be cast, but another may not. That is part of the competitive process. If your child is not given a part, you will be refunded the production fee.
Q: Who can view auditions? Can I videotape/record my students’ audition?
A: Auditions are semi open. This means that only the auditioning students and their family members/friends in the time slot group will be allowed in the audition room. You may record your own students’ audition only.
Q: What if I have rehearsal conflicts?
A: Please make sure your rehearsal conflicts are included on your audition form, as rehearsal or show conflicts brought up after casting are considered non-excused. If you are unsure of a certain conflict or if it is flexible, please note the dates as “negotiable,” and a team member will contact you to clarify. If a conflict is non-negotiable, then please note as a “firm” conflict. If a cast member misses any rehearsals during the run-through process (later in the rehearsal schedule), dress rehearsals (tech week), or shows that was not disclosed on the audition form, they will only be eligible to audition for a ensemble/chorus role in the next National Youth Theater production for which they try out. An exception to this policy will be made for emergencies and excused illnesses. Please note that, if a student adds a conflict after casting has been completed, that student may be removed from one scene or song per absence added. This is up to the discretion of the director, and may or may not be the song/scene learned on the date of the absence.
Q: What should my student wear to auditions and callbacks?
A: For auditions, we recommend wearing comfortable but nice clothing. Comfortable shoes or dance shoes are also recommended but not required. Same dress is recommended for callbacks. However, if you are called back as dancer, and you have dance shoes, please wear them as well. Dressing up as a character from the show is not encouraged.
Q: Can my student audition if we will be out of town during auditions/callbacks?
A: Yes, you may submit a video audition to our production coordinator by email by the night of auditions to be considered. Video callbacks will also be considered; we will communicate this process to you should the need arise for your family.
Q: Do you make cuts after auditions?
A: Sometimes. While we wish that we could always cast every student, there are multiple factors that go into a casting decision including rehearsal and venue size, rehearsal conflicts, student behavior and maturity, and more. If an actor is cut, the production fee will be refunded.
Q: How can I help my student with the audition process?
A: Help them find the correct music for their audition. It is good for them to practice in front of their family and friends as much as possible; it makes it easier at the actual audition. Recording and reviewing their practice and practicing in front of a mirror are also great tips. Encourage more than critique.
Q: How do I pick the right audition song?
A: Choose a song/piece that you are excited to perform and also fits into your vocal range, dance abilities, and the tone/time period of the show you are auditioning for. If you have to strain either high or low to hit notes, it’s not in your range. Keep looking for a song that feels comfortable for your vocal range. If you are new to auditioning or have little preparation time, then choose a song you already know. Songs from Broadway, Disney, or kids’ movies are always good options. In general, try to avoid songs from the show you are auditioning for.
Q: How do I prepare for dance auditions?
There is nothing to learn in advance for dance auditions. Students will be taught a sequence of choreography, review it, then dance in small groups in front of the choreographer/directing team. To prepare for this process, students can reveiw dances from previous shows, learn dances from YouTube videos, or learn basic dance steps and practice them in a sequence. Remember that your face is one of the most important things in a dance audition. Don’t watch what others are doing. They may get it wrong and throw you off. Keep your eyes up. And SMILE!
Q: Should I download and bring my own music?
A: Yes. In addition to submitting your cut down 1-minute karaoke mp3 through the Theater Forms, it is helpful to have a backup track with you on audition day just in case there are technical difficulties. If your backup track in on a phone, please make sure it is on “Do Not Disturb,” and the passcode is off. Please also bring a cable to plug in to our speaker; we cannot guarantee that we will have one available for all device types.
Q: Can I sing without music, or a capella?
A: We would rather you audition without music than not audition at all. However, make every effort to bring music with you even if the song has voices on it. The ideal option, however, is a karaoke track. If you choose to sing a capella, the directing team may ask you to sing “Happy Birthday” so that they can see how you are able to follow a track.
Q: How will we know what role my child received?
A: After callbacks on Saturday, the directing team will take time to meet, pray, and review their audition notes. They will share their thoughts with each other, and may take overnight to think about it. Casting decisions will be finalized by Sunday evening. The cast list will be emailed to the production class (via Jackrabbit) and will also be posted on our website.
Q: What if my child doesn’t want the role they’re offered?
A: At National Youth Theater, we encourage students to audition only if they are willing to accept any role given to them. It is normal to want to go after specific roles. But once the casting is announced, our expectation is that you will receive whatever role(s) you are assigned by the directing team like a pro. You can be disappointed, of course; that’s normal. But after a few days you are expected to handle your casting with grace and be part of the team as we practice and perform the show for the glory of God. Also, all production fees must be paid before auditions, and are non-refundable for students who are cast. If you decide to drop out of the show, please know that we are happy to have you return to audition, but you will only be considered for a role in the ensemble/chorus for your next show back.
Q: How do you ensure a fair casting process?
A: We take pride in the integrity of our casting process. All of the directing team members are encouraged to give feedback on casting of all roles. However, if their own children or private lesson students are being discussed, that director must leave the room; and they are not eligible to give input on those students. We rely on godly wisdom from the council of many to make casting decisions. Final decisions are never one person’s opinion, and we bring in a variety of directing team members into each production to make sure our casting decisions are as fair and balanced as possible. We also do not have a policy against students receiving good roles each show. This is a competitive program and the roles are given to the students that are best suited, as determined by the whole directing team. The only way to earn a role is to prove yourself to be best during auditions and callbacks. The coordinators and/or production managers of shows are not eligible to give input on casting. They are at auditions to help facilitate paperwork and to make sure all rehearsal conflicts are noted. They are also required to leave the room if their children are discussed.
Q: Are production fees refundable?
A: Fees are refundable up until the time of the audition, with a $25 processing fee. All participants are required to have production fees paid in full prior to their audition. Once the actor steps into the audition room, fees become non-refundable. The only exception would be for those times when the directors decide not to cast an actor; and then the full production fee will be returned.
Q: What is the parental commitment?
A: At least one parent or adult from each family is required to serve on 2 committees. Hundreds of hours of behind the scenes work is required to put on a production show. Each family is required to have one adult serve on either one Act 1 and one Act 2 committee OR on TWO Act 2 committees. A committee chair will be assigned, and that person will lead their committee into rehearsals and shows. There are a wide variety of committees from props, sets and costumes to marketing and souvenirs, back stage and tech to green room and concessions…it takes a wide variety of skills! If you have questions about committee work, please email our production coordinator at [email protected]
Q: Does my family have to sell a certain number of tickets?
A: No, but we do need all families to help promote the show! We will have fundraisers, poster campaigns, playbill ad sales and more. As a non-profit, we know it takes a village and ask for support in raising funds for our shows.