You don’t have to feel ready to take the first step.
Auditioning can feel intimidating, especially the first time. Read the audition materials, prepare what they ask for, and come ready to give it a try.
Auditions vary by production, but the audition packet will tell you exactly what to prepare.
Read the audition packet and prepare the material it requests. For a play, that may include a short monologue. For a musical, you'll usually prepare assigned music and come ready to move.
You may perform prepared material, read scenes from the script, sing, or learn a short dance combination. Some parts of the audition happen in small groups with other students.
The directing team may invite students to callbacks to read, sing, or work through additional material before casting the production.
You can't control the cast list. You can decide to take the chance.
Every audition gives you experience: walking into the room, making a choice, working with other students and putting your work in front of the directing team. Whether you land the role you hoped for or not, you leave having done something difficult.
Come prepared. Take the risk. See what happens.
Being cast means joining a team and committing to the rehearsal and performance schedule.
Directors hold callbacks when they want to learn more about specific actors after an initial audition. The director may want to see how certain actors fit specific roles or just to see what else the actors can do. While callbacks can sometimes feel like an elimination round in a contest, it is important to keep in mind that the director could still cast anyone in any role, even if they have not been called back.
Often, directors only need to look at a handful of actors in greater depth for a few specific roles. Nobody is entitled to a callback, as they are purely a tool that the director uses to help them build on the decisions that have been made after the first round of auditions.
For a musical callback, actors are often asked to prepare sections of songs and dialogue (sides) for specific characters. Sometimes, a dance callback may be necessary as well.
BOTH PLAYS AND MUSICALS:
COLD READINGS: You will be asked to do more cold readings from the script. We typically like to see readings with different pairings of students. Do your best to listen and react to your scene partner in an authentic manner. This is your opportunity to show a glimpse of what it might look like if you were to play this role.
MUSICAL CALLBACKS:
VOCAL CALLBACKS: You could be asked to perform one or more of the callback songs listed in the audition packet. Sheet music is available at tigerdrama.com. Callback songs should be learned and rehearsed prior to the callback. You will get a chance to sing as an ensemble a few times before singing by yourself.
DANCE CALLBACKS: You could be asked to perform the choreography taught at the initial audition. Sometimes we teach new choreography at the callback to test different skills and styles. You will be told if you need to bring special shoes. Remember to wear clothing appropriate for dancing.
Our Production Team is committed to thoughtful cast/crew selection. This means we cast the person best suited to the many factors involved in the production. There are not enough roles/positions for everyone to have a part in every production. However, we are also committed to providing as many performance opportunities as possible through our multiple showcase nights, all school productions, class productions, and Regional and State Festivals.
Below are the primary qualities considered in casting actors and crew members:
Learning to handle disappointment is one of the most essential skills young artists must develop. It is equally important for all of us to learn to objectively recognize and evaluate our strengths and weaknesses; this is the only way to grow.
It is normal to feel disappointed when finding out that you weren't cast in a show or that you weren't cast in a role/crew position you had hoped for. The first thing to do is to let yourself feel your feelings and grieve. It is important to keep everything in perspective; there will always be more opportunities, even if not at LC. You recover from these feelings fastest by focusing on what you can learn and how you can grow from the experience. This may include both learning through the role you have in the show as well as learning from the audition process.
While emotions might be running high and students/parents may feel the desire to contact the director right after a cast list is published, communication will be more effective if some time has passed. We encourage students to ask for feedback to grow in resiliency and focus on future opportunities. Directors can meet with a student who would like feedback on how to learn from their audition experience focusing on how to prepare for the next audition.
We understand there will always be disappointments and we seek to help everyone grow through the process.
Our rehearsals typically run Monday-Friday from 2:45-5:00 in the LCHS Auditorium. Check out the rehearsal calendar for specific time, place, and cast members called for each rehearsal.
You don't have to perform to be part of a production. Tiger Drama students also build, design and run the work that happens behind the scenes.