Any directors want to try an online auditions + rehearsal scheduling tool?

[Cast982]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 1:58pm

I am happy to invite BroadwayWorld community to try Cast98, a website I built for community theatres, school drama groups, and non-profit performance companies that automates the tedious tasks associated with cast logistics. Features include online audition signups, cast/crew list, and personalized rehearsal schedules for performers.

If you're a director, would you be willing to try using Cast98 on your next show?

How It Works (one-time actions)

1. Everybody creates a user profile. (profiles include cast bio, experience, contact info, conflict calendar, etc.)
2. A theatre owner/director can create a studio page and invite other users to be admins. Studios can then post shows.

How It Works (iterate each show)

1. When a show's director turns on auditions, performers can sign up online. The digital audition form includes a snapshot of their profile, conflicts, and show questionnaire (what roles, etc.).
2. Directors can use the auditionee dashboard during auditions to jot down notes about each performer, then build the cast list.
3. When a cast member is added to the cast list, the conflicts from their audition form automatically syncs with the schedule builder.
4. The schedule builder lets directors select rehearsal attendees and see their conflicts side-by-side, then select a date, enter the details, and save. Repeat a hundred times and voila! The entire rehearsal schedule is finished just a few hours after the cast list is finished instead of taking two weeks.

FAQs

1. Have you tested it?
   Oh yes, the inaugural show to use it boasted 102 cast members. The performers loved it, and the directors really liked the concept. Since then I've made tons of improvements and am awaiting another brave studio to come along and give the newest version a spin so I can get more feedback and continue making improvements.
2. What about late conflicts?
   Directors can choose whether or not to accept late conflicts. If a performer edits their conflict calendar after they've submitted their audition form, the director can go to the auditionee dashboard and use the Save & Sync function for that performer to sync any new conflicts with the schedule builder.
3. Can actors download the rehearsal schedule?
   They don't need to. They always see the most recent version on Cast98, with their rehearsals highlighted. They can also export rehearsals to their favorite calendar app (Google, Outlook, iCal, etc.) so there's never any reason to print or download anything!

I am happy to answer any questions you might have, so ask me anything! But I'm most eager to have some bold directors step forth and give Cast98 a test drive on your next show. Your feedback would be invaluable to me, and I think you'll have a great experience.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 7:53pm

Sounds quite interesting.  Do you have a model that one can look at?  How much control does the director have as to what information is asked for?

What is the cost expected to be?   Is it per show? Per season?  Does it save actor/crew info or do they have to re submit each time?

[Cast982]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 8:29pm

Everything from auditions through the cast list is free for all. That might be the model you seek - just jumping right in.

Actors, crew, everyone has a profile that persists just like a LinkedIn profile and includes all the info about contact details, conflicts, and acting/dancing/singing/tech experience that is typically collected in an audition form. So yeah, that's all saved and can be updated as needed over time.

The paid features include contact sheets for all cast and crew, pre-formatted cast bios, and the schedule builder. Studios can subscribe annually for $398 and post all the shows they want with full access, or pay $98 for a single show with full access. Again, all the performer profiles, auditions, and cast list builder things are free.

Sorry if the formatting is weird here... typing this all on mobile and BWW has proven to be quite glitchy.