Gettig into Regional Theater

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 11:10pm

I'm going to be sixteen very soon, and I want to start auditoning for some regional theater shows. I'm just kind of ready for a new challenge. And it doesn't hurt to try right? My question is, how do I find regional theater shows that are holding auditions?

Thanks!

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 11:22pm

I usually see auditions in the Lifestyle section of the paper, the local arts publication, or on the theatre's websites. You can also call the theatre and ask what auditions are coming up.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 11:38pm

I'm kind of looking for theaters as well. So I would contact the theater, except there isn't a specific one I'm looking at. Basically, I need the total Regional Theater 101.

Thanks so much!

[supportivemom]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 10:20pm

Well, I know the Tony organization gives out a Tony to the best regional/community theatre. Maybe they could help you. I know there are strong ones in Minneapolis and Louisville (I believe Annie Potts and Kathy Bates came out of Louisville regional theatre).

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 10:42pm

Look at websites for the regional theatres in your area. I'm sure they would have information about auditioning and how to get involved.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 10/18/07 at 3:58pm

Where are you geographically?

Remember that there are all sorts of theatres that could be labelled 'regional'. Theatre Communications group has two classes of regionals. One, LORT, uses predominantly a professional Equity actors and the URTA uses mainly students.
LORT is League of Resident Theatres
URTA is University Regional Theatre Assn (I think)

But some theatres think of themselves as regional and are semi-professional companies. Look over the shows they have announced for their seasons and see if you would be right for any of their roles.

Send each a photo & resume with a short note along the lines of (for example) "I would very much like to audition for the role of Hugo Peabody." or some such. Keep your eyes peeled in the local papers and talk to people involved with the various theatres. Ask, without appearing pushy. Be smart. This season's self-submissions may not pay off right now, but they could remember you for the next teen role.

Some theatres will have open auditions, some do it show-by-show and some theatres will combine and have a cattle call.

Equity theatres don't have to pay travel costs nor provide affordable housing if the actors are local. This is in your favor since you would be playing teens and who wants to pay an actor and their chaperone to come do a show?

Mike Shara was about 16, a local and auditioned for the Shaw Festival in Ontario. He was cast in teen roles and ended up doing about 10 seasons there and met his wife there as well. He is still a member of the company.

Have fun.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 10/18/07 at 6:35pm

I live in a small town south of Buffalo, New York. I've discussed it with my mom, and we're willing to travel a little. Not exactly across the country, but definitely around the state.

And what I'm looking to do is professional theater. Not necessarily regional, just professional. I just assumed that regional theater would be the next step. Of course there is always auditioning for Broadway shows, but I just assume take it in baby steps.

But also, is there a website, or a resource that has current auditions listed? Because necessarily want to just target a few theaters, when there could be auditions somewhere else that I don't know about.

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 10/18/07 at 8:17pm

Basically audition for everything that you can, because even if you don't snag the role, you will gain audition knowledge (cold medicine talking) and get better and better

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 10/18/07 at 10:24pm

That's what I wanna do (and what I'm doing now in my community). But I don't know where the auditions are for the professional shows.

Thanks for all the help so far!

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:21am

I wouldn't expect to get into professional shows off the bat, work up the ladder, can't get the gold egg w/out the beanstalk (I came up w/ that all by myself!!)it might even be a while until you are able to audition for one, the fact is that its hard for teenagers to get into professional shows because they usually have a young looking 20something year old do it, who has more experience, so if you start more community based then you can build up a resume which will help you with proffesional auditions

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 2:01am

I have done community shows. In fact that's the reason I want to take the next step. I'm starting to be type-casted at the theaters I perform at. All the directors know me and my family.

And I don't expect to be cast right away. The audition process thrills me. Plus the only way to improve and get in, is to try. So I at least want to put out an effort.

Top Five Favorite Shows I'v Been In:

Seussical (Horton)
Big River (Huck Finn)
Joseph and the... (Benjamin)
The Wiz (The Wiz)*color blind casting*
The Pajama Game (Steam Heat feat. dancer, Hernando Hideaway soloist/feat. dancer, First Helper)

Thanks!

Updated On: 10/19/07 at 02:01 AM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 10:18am

Send your P+R to Studio Arena in Buffalo and ask to be considered for their season. Of course find out their shows first. The plays they do are usually small cast ones.

Bear in mind that theatres do small cast shows and big musicals are not the norm.

16 is not the age to be worrying about 'professional' experience. It is a time for experiences of any kind, and not just theatrical ones either. Even for unpaid apprenticeships, theatres are hesitant to use minors. Once you're an Equity member you may not work under anything but an Equity contract. This will limit you. Do every show you can and do every audition you can. Then you'll need to think about some serious training.

The only places where there are a lot of auditions are the big cities, so unless you are willing to relocate and/or change your citizenship, you may have to sit tight for a while.

By big cities, I mean NYC, Toronto (hence the citizenship change and believe me, Canadian Equity would have something to say about it), Chicago, Boston, DC, even New Haven. There are plenty of others, but those are the nearby ones.

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:18am

Check this link:

http://actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=32

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 1:51pm

Its a little ways away from you and they only do shows in the summer, but the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY is a really great place to start. Some really great people go through there, and you learn a lot from everyone.

[interesting]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 9:35am

my friend auditioned for NSMT in 05 for cinderella, she was non-eq, got cast and got her card. unfortunately the show had to be postponed til the following year but she got to do it. They always have some non-eqs in their shows!