Audition Basics & Resources

Note: All timelines are subject to change year-to-year, but the below information represents standard expectations for audition and performance schedules. Please check back regularly for updates.

Fall Auditions: September

Everett

• Winter production; performs in November or December

Issaquah

• Winter production; performs in December

Winter Auditions: January/February

Everett

• KIDSTAGE Originals Reading; performs in February (currently every other year) – Workshop Series on the alternate year
• Spring production; performs in April

Issaquah

• KIDSTAGE Originals Reading; performs in March (currently every other year) – Workshop Series on the alternate year
• Spring production; performs in April

Summer Auditions: May

Everett

• Summer Independent production (performs late July/early August) or SummerStock (performs mid-August), alternates between locations every other summer
• Village Theatre Institute programs run October–May

Issaquah

• Summer Independent production or SummerStock ((performs late July/early August)), alternates between locations every other summer
• Village Theatre Institute programs run October–May

Sign up for an audition

You must make an appointment to audition. If you can’t find an appointment available on the website, please call or email, as there may be appointments available the day before. In your email or voice mail please provide student’s name and age, parent’s name, parent contact phone number, parent email address and which program(s) the audition is for (i.e. Institute only, or SummerStock, Summer Independent and Institute).

Be prepared

Carefully read the audition requirements for each specific audition listing. Possible requirements include: 32 bars of one or two songs of different styles and a one-minute monologue. When auditioning for Institute you are highly encouraged to have additional material prepared.

Check your materials

• 32 bars of a song = 32 measures = one verse and one chorus (usually) = about one minute of singing. It’s okay to be a few bars under or over 32 if it helps you complete a thought or phrase.
• Keep to the time requirements. You will be cut off if your selections are longer than required.

Practice

• Have everything fully memorized and performance ready.
• Rehearse every part of what you want to perform during the audition.
• Practice entering the room, talk the accompanist through your music and introduce yourself and your pieces.
• Rehearse moving smoothly from your slate through the first piece, into the second piece, and back into yourself to conclude the audition.
• Plan the order of your pieces. (We recommend starting with your strongest piece.)

Remember to bring

• Sheet music for each song you prepare
  • PLEASE HAVE music for your songs. You may not sing a cappella (without accompaniment) or with a recording in the key you are singing it. The accompanist WILL NOT transpose your music on the spot.
  • Hole-punched, two-sided, and in a three-ring binder.
  • Clearly marked start and stop points.
• Headshot/resume that looks like you do now
  • Provide clear 8×10 or 8 1/2×11 photos that look like you now, where you are the only one in the photo. School or photocopied photos are OK. (You are not judged on photos-we just want to recognize you!)
  • One copy of resume/headshot for each program you are auditioning, and an extra or two just in case.
  • Include all theatrical, music, dance, or other performing experience or training on your resume. Include relevant special skills like instruments played, dialects or languages, tumbling/gymnastics/acrobatics.
• Family calendar
  • So that you can clearly and accurately identify conflicts with the rehearsal schedule(s).

Need some assistance on how to film and create an audition self-tape? Check out the following links from acting coaches and casting directors here in the Seattle area and across the country.

• From “Augmented Actor”: Self-Tape Theater Auditions While Self-Isolating
• From Acting Coach Zandi Carlson and Village Theatre Associate Artistic Director – Arts Engagement & Casting Jes Spencer: Self-Tapes for Theatre Auditions
• From Playbill.com: Binder Casting Directors Share How to Make an Awesome Self-Tape

SONGS

Village Theatre and KIDSTAGE have compiled a list of audition songs that are great for those new to auditioning. All songs come with a vocal track, accompanist track, and sheet music.

Male-Identifying Voices

• I Believe in You – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• Who I’d Be – Shrek the Musical
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• I Just Can’t Wait to Be King – The Lion King
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track

Female-Identifying Voices

• I know It’s Today – Shrek the Musical
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• Everything I Know – In the Heights
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• I’ll Know – Guys and Dolls
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• My Friend, The Dictionary – The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• Goodbye Little Dream, Goodbye – Anything Goes
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track
• A Cockeyed Optimist – South Pacific
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track

Any Voice

• It’s Possible – Seussical
  • Sheet Music
  • Accompaniment Track
  • Rehearsal Track

 MONOLOGUES

We’ve compiled a selection of monologues that may be used for auditions, or feel free to choose your own.

For questions about audition materials, please email KIDSTAGEproductions@villagetheatre.org.

MONOLOGUES
We’ve compiled a selection of monologues that may be used for auditions, or feel free to choose your own.