CenterStage Shows
Frequently
Asked Questions
How do auditions work?
For most auditions, actors are taken into the audition room in groups
of ten. In one room they will perform their monologue and song for
the Director and Music Director. Then they will go into another
room to learn a dance routine with the Choreographer. Some groups
will start with dance and then move on to the other room. Plan on
spending 1.5 - 2 hours at the studio for your audition. This can
go longer if we start running behind - check with the producers when you
arrive to get an accurate sense of when you will be finished for the
day.
How important is the conflict calendar?
It is critical to the success of the production that we know when
performers are available for rehearsal. The conflict calendar
should be filled out completely prior to auditions.
-
PYT
reserves the right to NOT CAST a participant if there are more than
seven (7) conflicts.
-
Each
cast member must be available for the full run of technical rehearsals
and performances for at least one of our two casts.
-
Planned
conflicts must be turned in on the conflict sheet by the last night of
callbacks. Any conflicts received after that will be
considered an unexcused absence.
-
Cast
members may have two (2) unexcused absence during the rehearsal
period. Participants with additional absences may be asked to
leave the show.
-
Arriving
more than 30 minutes late or leaving early from rehearsal is considered
an absence. If a cast member needs to be late to rehearsal
for a planned event, it must be recorded on the conflict sheet and
submitted prior to the last night of callbacks.
-
PYT cannot
plan rehearsals without an accurate understanding of who is
available at any given rehearsal
How do I know if I will have a callback?
At the end of your audition you will be given a sheet
that will tell you if you need to come to callbacks. Callbacks are
the directors way of seeing more from a given actor, or seeing how they
interact with other performers they are interested in casting.
Having a callback is not a guarantee of a role.
Who
is in the room during auditions and callbacks?
Auditions and callbacks are
closed. The director, the choreographer, the music director, the
audition pianist (if someone different from the music director) and
a board liaison to hand out callback materials can be in the room.
Are
the producers and the production manager in the room during auditions
and callbacks?
No, they only bring paperwork
into the room before the auditions begin, and then they go in and pick
up the callback forms after each group has completed their auditions
and has left the room.
Who
makes the casting decisions?
The director, music director and the
choreographer. These three staff members work together as a
collaborative team. They begin to discuss and rate the audition
participants as soon as each group of ten participants completes the
audition process. This has to be done in order to initiate
the Callback process. These staff members take home copies of the
registration forms and continue to email and talk with to one another
during the entire Callback process.
Who
is responsible for making the final decision?
The director will make the final
decision, especially if the three staff members cannot agree on a
casting choice.
When
is the casting meeting held and who attends this meeting?
The casting meeting is held
after the last night of Callbacks. The following people attend this
meeting: the director, the music director, the choreographer, the artistic
director, the
production manager, the web master and the casting liaison. Sometimes the choreographer does not
attend this meeting.
What
does the production manager do at the casting meeting?
The production manager keeps
track of carpool requests, sibling requests, cast requests due to
conflicts, and the amount of conflicts for each participant. The
production manager also keeps the paper work organized as the two casts
are formed, and will make any phone calls pertaining to conflict
questions or role requests. If the stage manager is present they will
also check requests and conflicts.
Who
is the casting liaison and what do they do at the casting meeting?
The casting liaison is a PYT
board member who does not have a child participating in the show. Their
job is to make sure that PYT’s casting policies are followed.
They also double check the carpool and other cast requests for the
production manager and may also make phone calls and sort paperwork.
Who
is the web master and what do they do at the casting meeting?
The web master is a board
member who types the cast list and posts it on the website.
Why
is the cast list usually posted two days after the casting meeting?
This two day period gives the
director, the music director, the choreographer, the production manager
and the web master the time to check for errors and omissions. This is
particularly helpful when casting a large cast.
Do
the producers, production manager or board members participate in any casting decisions?
No, they do not. The artistic director, director,
choreographer and music director make all casting decisions as a group,
and we rely upon their knowledge and
expertise and trust them to make the right decisions
What is the director
looking for in an ideal actor?
The ideal actor
-
Is
well prepared, with an appropriate monologue from a published source,
-
Shows
an understanding of the role and a commitment to the requirements of
the role,
-
Has
a well-prepared, appropriate song in the correct key, with either
sheet music or recorded music,
-
Has
a good attitude, accepts responsibility, and does not make excuses,
-
Demonstrates
maturity and the ability to stay focused and “on
track” in spite of mistakes or other distractions,
-
Gives
100% performance energy all of the time,
-
Is
willing to accept any role,
-
Has
few or no conflicts,
-
Dresses
appropriately for the audition, including movement
clothes and shoes for the dance audition.
Things that can influence casting
include:
-
Training and experience
-
Motivation and energy
-
Attitude
-
Being
well prepared
-
Choice
of monologue and/or song
-
Vocal
range and singing ability
-
Previous
work with the Director, Music Director or Choreographer
-
Matching
the director’s vision of the role
-
Excessive
conflicts
-
Only
accepting specific roles
How
are final casting decisions made?
Final casting decisions are
made based on the Director’s vision of the show and the
characters, the recommendations of the Music Director and
Choreographer, carpool requests, and scheduled conflicts. While the
Director has a certain vision of the show, casting may also be
influenced by the specific actors that auditioned, and the requirements
of certain roles (such as a singing role with a particularly high vocal
range.) Because we double cast shows, the director is also trying to
assemble two equally balanced casts in terms of age and experience.
How
can I get feedback about my audition?
An actor may request written feedback from the
producers. An actor may also be able
to request and schedule a small amount of time to talk about their
audition with the Director, Music Director or Choreographer. However,
as this is not a contractual requirement of the Artistic staff, actors
need to understand that the Artistic Staff may not have the time for
additional feedback. As auditions tend to be emotionally charged, it is
also recommended that the actor wait a week or so before requesting
audition feedback in order to gain some emotional distance.
How often will I have to rehearse?
How often you will be called to rehearsal depends on
many factors: the role you have, the cast you are in, the number of
participants in the show. We generally hold rehearsals from 6:30pm
- 9pm Tuesday through Friday, and from 10am - 1pm on Saturday. You
should plan on most Saturdays, as that is when we try to do our all
calls. You will get a final rehearsal schedule at the parent
meeting which will show when you are called.
|
