Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#2

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Normally, I would say that you don't HAVE to be an Equity member in order to audition, but in this case, I'll just say don't even bother unless you've got the card. Chances are, even some of the Equity members won't be able to be seen.
This is my signature.
#3

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

It says Fiyero should be in his twenties... do they ever cast a little bit younger than they were looking for? :)
I hold a degree in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. It is useless. Now I'm funny for money. Oh, and I sing.
#4

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

That's not entirely true. You don't NEED an Equity card in order to be cast: in fact, being cast in an Equity production is one of the ways you get your card. However...when you audition without the card, there's an extremely small chance of being seen.

And the reason you must be 18 is due to child labor laws, etc. etc.
This is my signature.

Updated On: 7/13/05 at 12:33 AM

#5

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

I think this is a required call per Equity rules, but with the various companies, I know they are constantly seeing people.

Part of this is because GLINDA, FIYERO, and ELPHABA have to be matched. If say, Ana Gasteyer were to come to NYC (as rumor would have you believe) in January -- she probably couldn't play off of Megan Hilty (just out of college) as Glinda.

I thought I heard that leads are being signed for six month contracts now, rather then a year.
#6

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

They hire equity and non-equity people alike, judging on how right they are for the role. If the non-equity cast member does not currently have an equity membership, once they sign their contract, they'll be a member of Equity and will get their card.

And yes, it is rare that a non-Equity member is hired into a big-name Equity production as this, but it's been done.
This is my signature.
#7

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Well, the lovely Kristin Chenoweth, for one. She was off on her way to grad school when she decided to pop in an audition with her pal. She ended up getting a role in the production of Animal Crackers.

"I had just graduated from Oklahoma City University and was headed to the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia to become an opera singer. I decided to make a pit stop in New York. My best friend, Denny, wanted to move there to make it as an actor. I went along! I was at Actors’ Equity waiting to be seen for a show a Papermill. Because I wasn’t a member of the union I had to wait five hours to be seen! Finally I got in for my audition and ended up getting one of the leads in a musical called ANIMAL CRACKERS. I had an important life decision to make: Opera or Musical Theatre? Guess what I chose! Not only did I get my Equity Card through that job, I never had to wait five hours again!!"

Jeremy Kushnier was a non-Eq unknown when he was cast as the lead in Footloose.

Anisha Nagarajan was a non-eq 19 year-old from NYU when she was cast as the lead in BOMBAY DREAMS - was flown to London to make sure ALW approved.


This is my signature.

Updated On: 7/13/05 at 12:51 AM

#8

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

It happens mostly with dancers... I think there is actually an 18 year old male dancer in WICKED on Broadway right now. He couldn't have had much experience.
#9

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

It really depends. Chorus/dancers, more likely than the lead role. However, it is still possible. Blarg. I hate when people use absolutes. It bugs me.
This is my signature.
#10

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

My friend Megan understudied Sutton in Millie straight out of high school so I doubt she was equity at the time of the audition. I may be wrong though, I should ask her. Bottom line is never say never - there are ALWAYS exceptions.

Updated On: 7/13/05 at 01:02 AM

#12

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

I wanna be fiyero!!! well actually i wanna cover fiyero and the wizard(enough age make-up and a grey wig and i'm all set)
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#13

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

The girl who is about to start understudying Tracy in Hairspray is straight out of school. I met her at the stage door (someone said 'well done' to MJW and she said "Wait until you see this girl." so then the u/s had to explain to everyone that she was about to cover Tracy). She was very nice (and looked Tracy-esque) and I'm pretty sure she was out of school. I guess being an u/s isn't really playing a lead though is it?

General question: How much 'respect' does understudying a big role earn you.
"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."
#14

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Well, that depends on your performance I suppose. And which shows. Any CAST member that's in Wicked really gains a whole lot of respect. Especially understudying one of the two leads: the community KNOWS you've got the chops then. Although each woman who plays Elphaba is different, each is IMMENSELY talented.
This is my signature.
#15

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Plus Shannon Durig, Carly Jibson, and Keala Settle were cast out of open calls. So there really is a chance of getting cast as Tracy if you go to one of the calls, because they look for unknown talents.
#16

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

RENT is especially well-known for their open calls. Don't know if they're as popular as they were, but they were all into casting raw, rock voices.
This is my signature.
#17

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Candice Marie Woods, currently a Dynamite/Inez U/s in Hairspray graduated from a local high school just this spring, with mostly high school theatre experience.
"Wherever you go... I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ass, just remember: it's a present from me to you." Rose's dying words to Louise
#18

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

I think you all are kinda missing the point. HAIRSPRAY and RENT casting directors look for young unknowns for parts. Most Broadway shows do not. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen from time to time but it is VERY rare. Will Elphaba be played by a non-Equity actress new to the business? I would have to say no.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#19

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

My friend wasn't equity and got cast in the revival of NINE. As far as I know, this IS a rarity, but I suppose anything is possible.
Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be
#20

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

'Anything Is Possible' is the finale from Mary Poppins (and a truly fantastic part of the show). It's a good incentive to buy the OLCR. Just thought I'd add that.
"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."
#21

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Ok..so if I ever wanna try out for the Chicago production I have to go to NYC!? gawd...

I was hoping when I finished college I could audition re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held without going to NY first!
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
#23

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

please don't slam my ignorance.

and i know that it is a 1,000,000,000 to 1 shot if you show up to an equity audition as a non-equity member that you would be seen, especially if it's for something like Wicked, BUT...

...someone told me that if auditions are held at the Actors' Equity Association Audition Center, they were not allowed to see you, vs. auditions being held at some other location.

is this true?

thanks!
So long status quo/ I think I just let go/ You make me want to be/ BRAVE
#24

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

they are ALLOWED to see you. It depends on a certain number of factors.

They must see all Eq FIRST, no matter how long you've been waiting.

The casting assoc's can state "we will not be seeing non-eq" at the start of the call. or "we'll wait and make that decision towards the end of the day" or "we will really try hard to fit you in at the end of the day"

It is strictly up to the casting people, no matter which studio the auditions are held in. And it depends how many eq people show up. I've rarely seen a call where no one shows up, and they still refuse to see non-eq. It would mean they are sitting there doing nothing all day. (If that really does happen, it probably means the show is already cast)

Either way, if it's held at AEA, you'll have to wait outside the lounge area for the monitor to come get you. don't bug them constantly. Just let someone know first thing in the morning that non-eqs would like some sort of answer. (from the 3 I listed above)

BUT once you are in, and the monitor takes your P&R and puts you on deck - you WILL be seen. at that point no late arriving eq member can take your spot.

The only reason this process is a bit easier ANY PLACE BUT the eq building is that you have more spacial access to the monitor - you don't have to wait down the hall.


I'd fire you... if you weren't so g*dd*mn beautiful out there. - Blades of Glory blog

Updated On: 7/14/05 at 11:14 AM

#25

re: Equity Wicked auditions are being held

Wow, I'm learning lots. Anywho, back to this post, I can't remember who said it...Morrible is explicitly listed as "any ethnicity." So is Fiyero, I believe. However, others have no specifications. Not to sound green (you know I had to), but does that mean all other roles are white?

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $101