Spring 2025 General & Musical Auditions

Friday, November 15 6:00-11:00pm & Saturday, November 16 11:00am-4:00pm 

Callbacks Sunday, November 17 - Thursday, November 21

General Auditions will take place in MacVey Theatre in the Theatre Building (TB)

Musical Auditions will take place in Room 172 in the Theatre Building (TB)

Please note: there is more information on all of these steps in the dropdown menus below.

The Audition Process:

  1. Sign up for an audition time.
  • Unavailable to audition in person? Email the Theatre PSM, Samantha Goblrisch-Paradis and follow the video audition tips below.
  • There will be two sign ups for the fall auditions: General Auditions & For Colored Girls. You should sign up for the General Auditions if you'd like to be considered for any/all productions aside from For Colored Girls. If you'd like to be considered for For Colored Girls, you should sign up for that audition. You can also sign up for both, but ensure you don't sign up for the same time for both, as the auditions will take place in two separate rooms. For Colored Girls auditions will only take place on Friday, August 30.
  1. Create/update your Performer Bank profile.
  • Be sure to select the auditions you're participating in.
  1. Prepare for your audition.
  2. Check the calendar information for the shows auditioning and complete the Conflict Survey.
  3. Read about the shows auditioning including the roles being cast and any expectations for the performers who are cast in roles that require intimacy or fight choreography.
  • There are perusal copies of each script available in the Main Office, 107 Theatre Building (TB).
  1. Audition! Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition time. Check-in at the registration table in the Theatre Building lobby (look for the red carpet).
  • You may forfeit your audition slot if you're not there 30 minutes before.
  1. Attend callbacks. Callback lists will be posted following the end of auditions Friday, August 30 under the Callback Lists dropdown menu below.
  • Be sure to check the callback list for each show.
  1. Accept or decline a role if you are cast. Cast lists will be posted starting at 10:00pm Sunday, September 1 under the Cast Lists dropdown menu below.

General Auditions

  • A 3-minute slot is allotted for each general audition.
  • For the general auditions please prepare 1-2 monologues.
  • Your total audition time must not exceed 3 minutes for general auditions.
  • You will be timed and asked to stop if the time limit is exceeded.

Musical Auditions

  • Information on what to prepare for the musical audition will be posted here in October.

     

The sign-up sheets for spring auditions will be linked here Monday, November 11.

By Registering for auditions you hereby expressly agree to allow broadcast and distribution of your performance on any medium, including but not limited to the University of Iowa YouTube Channel, Marketing videos, Iowa Public Radio, or via live stream at the discretion of the University of Iowa without any remuneration to you.

Please complete or update your audition profile on the Performer Bank prior to your audition.

To use the Performer Bank:

  • Login with your HawkID and password. If you do not have a HawkID, contact Samantha Goblirsch-Paradis for access.
  • Enter your basic information on the front page and select which auditions you are participating in.
  • Save your information and logout. Directors will be able to see your information immediately.

Access the Performer Bank

Spring Show Dates (Rehearsal - Close)

  • Spring show dates will be added in October

Fall Show Dates (Rehearsal - Close)

  • THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION: September 3 - 21
  • UH-OH!: September 3 - 28
  • we are Hunted and/or a house sitting play: September 16 - October 6
  • Global Express: September 30 - October 9
  • Marie Antoinette: September 3 - October 19
  • GOWANUS/DEGENERATES: September 23 - October 19 
  • Flashes: October 7 - 27
  • When You Read This: October 7 - November 2
  • for colored girls: October 7 - November 16

Important Dates & Holidays:

August - December 2024

7/7 Muharram, 8/26 Fall Classes Begin, 8/31-9/2 Labor Day Weekend, 9/2 Labor Day (Observed), 9/7 Ganesh Chaturthi, 9/16 Mawlid al-Nabi*, 9/16 Anant Chaturdashi, 9/22 Equinox (Mabon), 10/2-10/4 Rosh Hashanah*, 10/3-10/12 Navaratri, 10/12 Dasara/ Dussehra,​ 10/12 Yom Kippur*, 10/14 Indigenous Peoples' Day, 10/14 Columbus Day (Fed. Observed), 10/16-10/23 Sukkot*, 10/23-10/25 Sh’mini Atzeret *, 10/25 Simchat Torah*, 10/31 Halloween/ All Hallows Eve, 10/31-11/1 Diwali, 11/1 All Saints Day, 11/1 Dia de los Muertos, 11/1 Samhain*,  11/3 Daylight Saving Time Ends, 11/5 Election Day, 11/11 Veteran’s Day (Fed. Observed), 11/15 Loy Krathong, 11/23-11/30 Fall Break, 11/28 Thanksgiving Day, 12/1 Advent Begins, 12/16-12/20 Fall Finals, 12/21 -1/20 Winter Break, 12/21 Solstice (Yule/Litha), 12/25-1/2 Hanukkah*, 12/25 Christmas (Observed)

 * Holidays marked with an asterisk (*) begin at sundown on the previous day.

January - June 2024

12/21 -1/20 Winter Break, 1/1 New Year’s Day, 1/6 Epiphany, 1/7 Christmas (Orthodox), 1/14 Mahayana New Year, 1/14 New Year (Orthodox), 1/14 Tamil Thai Pongal Day, 1/14 Makar Sankranti, 1/18 Bodhi Day, 1/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Observed), 1/21 Spring Classes Begin, 1/27 Lailat al Miraj*, 1/29 Seol-nal, 1/29 Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake), 1/29 Tet Nguyen Dan, 1/29 Tsagaan Sar, 2/2 Groundhog Day, 2/9 Superbowl, 2/11 Thaipusam, 2/12 Magha Puja Day, 2/14 St. Valentine's Day, 2/14 Lailat al Bara*, 2/15 Nirvana Day, 2/19 Presidents’ Day (Fed. Observed), 2/25-2/26 Maha Shivaratri, 2/28-3/2 Losar, 2/28-3/30 Ramadan*, 3/3 Beginning of Lent (Orthodox), 3/4 Mardi Gras, 3/5 Ash Wednesday (Beginning of Lent), ​​​​3/9 Daylight Savings Begins, 3/13 Palm Sunday, 3/14 Holi Phagwa*, 3/14 Purim*, 3/16-3/23 Spring Break, 3/17 St. Patrick's Day, 3/17 Nuzul Quran*, 3/20 Equinox (Ostara), 3/27 Laylat al-Qadr*, 3/30 Ougadi/Ugaadi, 3/30 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)*, 4/4 Qing Ming Jie, 4/6 Ram Navami, 4/10 Mahavir Jayanti, 4/12-4/20 Passover*, 4/13 Theravada (New Year), 4/18 Good Friday,  4/18 Good Friday (Orthodox), 4/20 Easter, 4/20 Easter (Orthodox),5/1 Beltane-Samhain, 5/5 Cinco De Mayo, 5/11 Mother's Day, 5/12 Vesak- Buddha Day, 5/12-16 Spring Finals, 5/17 Commencement, 5/17 Armed Forces Day, 5/26 Memorial Day (Observed), 5/29 Ascension Day, 5/31 Duan Wu Jie, 6/1-3 Shavuot*, 6/8 Pentecost, 6/14 Flag Day, 6/15 Father's Day, 6/19 Juneteenth (Fed. Observed), 6/20 Summer Solstice-Litha, 6/23 Pentecost (Orthodox)

* Holidays marked with an asterisk (*) begin at sundown on the previous day.

Fall Production Lab Cast vs Crew Chart:

Cast vs. Crew Chart:

RUN CREW

 

* Find the show you are cast in below and see which run crew you are eligible for to the right.

Marie Antoinette

 

(Section 1)

 

10/2-10/19

for colored girls

 

(Section 2)

 

10/30-11/16

CAST

THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION (9/3-9/21)

YES

YES

Uh-Oh! (9-3-9/28)

YES

YES

we are Hunted… (9/16-10/6)

NO

YES

Global Express (9/30-10/9)

NO

YES

Marie Antoinette (9/3-10/19)

NO

YES

Gowanus/Degenerates (9/23-10/19)

NO

YES

Flashes (10/7-10-27)

NO

YES

When You Read This (10/7-11/2)

NO

NO

for colored girls (10/7-11/16)

NO

NO

The Conflict Survey will be linked here Monday, November 11.

Below you will find the links to show information for the productions and readings being produced Fall 2024. Spring 2025 show information will be added in October.

THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION

UH-OH!

we are Hunted and/or a house sitting play

Global Express

Marie Antoinette

GOWANUS/DEGENERATES

Flashes

When You Read This

for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

 

Important: Below you will find links to each callback list. Please note: callback lists will not be posted until the end of General Auditions on Friday, August 30. Below is the callback schedule. Here are the sides for each show. Hard copies will be available at each callback. Sides may not be fully available until the end of General Auditions on Friday, August 30.

THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION

UH-OH!

we are Hunted and/or a house sitting play

Marie Antoinette

GOWANUS/DEGENERATES

Flashes

When You Read This

for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

 

TIME

WHAT

WHERE

WHO

Saturday, August 31, 2024
11:00a-1:00p

Callbacks

154 PAXMarie Antoinette
12:00-4:00p

Callbacks

166 TBTHE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION
1:30-3:30p

Callbacks

154 PAXMarie Antoinette
1:00-4:00p

Callbacks

172 TBFor Colored Girls
5:00-9:00p

Callbacks

166 TBGOWANUS/DEGENERATES
6:00-10:00p

Callbacks

172 TBFlashes
7:00-11:00p

Callbacks

170 TBWhen You Read This
Sunday, September 1, 2024
10:00a-2:00p

Callbacks

166 TBUH-OH!
11:00a-1:00p

Callbacks

154 PAXMarie Antoinette
1:30-3:30p

Callbacks

154 PAXMarie Antoinette
3:00-7:00p

Callbacks

172 TBwe are Hunted…
9:00p-10:00p

Casting Meeting

ZoomTeam Leaders, Directors, SMs

Below you will find links to the cast lists. Please note: cast lists will not be posted until the conclusion of the casting meeting on Sunday, September 1 (approximately 10:00pm).

THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION

UH-OH!

we are Hunted and/or a house sitting play

Global Express

Marie Antoinette

GOWANUS/DEGENERATES

Flashes

When You Read This

for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

  • First, know that everyone in the audition room wants you to do well and are excited to see you. We want you to audition and are grateful you have taken the time to prepare something for us. Directors and other casting personnel are pulling for you to do well. They're on your side. They want to discover new talent. They also want to see the growth you have made since they last saw you. The audition is a good chance for them to see you in new ways.

  • A prepared piece gives you the advantage over a "cold" script reading because you can choose something that shows you off best. Remember that you, not the plays, are auditioning. A well-done prepared piece can cause a director to change their thinking about a role before they see you again.

  • Suggestions for Selecting a Monologue: The audition is your opportunity to perform--not a hurdle or cruel and unusual punishment. Do something you enjoy. This is probably more important than anything else.

    1. Try to pick a piece from a play that is not hugely popular.  The piece should not be over-used. A piece that begins, "To be or not to be..." must be performed far better than one from a good but lesser-known play in order to make a positive impression in an audition.

    2. Make sure the piece is active (not reflective or remembering a moment from the past). Pieces are usually more successful when they convey a clear want, need or intention by your character. Choose accordingly.

    3. Pick a piece that showcases your strengths as an actor. Ask yourself if the piece demands qualities that you can project well. Don't choose a piece said to be a good piece if it doesn't compliment you. You are the important one in the audition.

    4. In professional and regional theatres, actors play their own ages. Choose a role that you could conceivably play.

    5. You should not have to set the piece in context by explaining who is talking to whom, etc. If you must explain anything, the piece is probably not a good audition piece.

    6. Most casting people know most plays. Do not waste your audition time by explaining or telling the story of the play.

  • Time: You have 3 minutes to perform 1 or 2 monologues.  You do not need to use the full 3 minutes. 

    1. Time your pieces by doing them several times aloud for someone. You should be aware that directors form an impression of auditioners in the first minute. The second minute is for confirmation. 

    2. If a director needs to see more, they will call you back or talk to you.

    3. Auditions will be timed. This is done in order to be fair. Without it, the large number of actors who deserve to be seen, couldn’t be. The monitor will sit in a seat fairly close to the stage. They will signal when you have 10 seconds remaining by raising their hand, and will say "stop" when your 3 minutes are up. Timing will begin after you say your name and the names of your pieces. 

  • Prepare yourself well. If you can, choose and prepare your pieces well ahead of time. You never know what good things may come from proper and full preparation. Give yourself the best chance you can.

    1. Know your material well. Rehearse it thoroughly. It is expected that pieces will be memorized for these auditions. However, in cases of not auditioning at all versus an audition using a script, an audition with script is preferable. A well-prepared audition is an indication that you care about your audition and the opportunity it presents. If need be, bring a copy of your pieces with you to the audition, in case you need to refer to it.

    2. Immediately before the audition, while you are waiting your turn, give yourself some time to concentrate and focus on yourself and the intentions of the character you are going to play.

  • You will be asked to Slate your piece before you begin, which means giving the following information, your name and what pieces your are about to perform.  An Example: "My name is (your name). My pieces are (character's name) from (play title) and (character's name) from (play title)." OR if it is for a musical audition: "My song is (title) from (title of musical)."

    1. Pause briefly before you begin and again between pieces. Almost everyone is nervous before an audition (just like before any performance). Nerves can help you become more vibrant. Use the extra adrenalin energy to spur you on. Open yourself up to it and it can work for you.

    2. Don't be afraid to be extravagant and enjoy yourself. If you enjoy yourself, those watching will as well.

    3. When you are finished, thank those watching and leave the stage briskly. If someone wants to ask a question, they will. Time is precious to the others who are auditioning. Use your time fully, then move on so that others can do so.

Recording Your Audition
  • Find a quiet space.
  • Record Horizontal not Vertical.
  • Phone Camera or Web Cam will work great! (DO NOT buy a new camera for auditions, it is not necessary).
  • Record in HD -1080p at 30 frames or SD 720p. (No need to us HD 4K as it will make the file larger and harder to upload.)
    • How to check resolution on an iPhone: settings>Camera>Record Video> (Set to 1080p at 30fps)
    • How to check resolution on an Android: in the camera app, swipe from "Photo" to "Video." in either a dropdown menu (which you can open by tapping the arrow) or the Settings Menu (tap the Gear Symbol), you will have the options of resolution (choose 1920x1080 or 1080p) and Frames Per Second (choose 30)
  • Frame the shot at Full body or 3/4 quarters if possible.
  • Natural Lighting is great, just make sure you are visible.   Try to avoid large shadows, including casting large shadows on the wall behind you. 
  • Camera at eye level if possible.
  • Filming orientation should be horizontal and ideally a full body shot is best. We don't recommend a close-up shot.
  • Neutral Background. Declutter the space as much as possible so we are not distracted by your background/surroundings. You could hang an neutral colored ironed sheet for your background, get rid of the wrinkles. 
  • Make sure you slate at the top of your video (Your name, name of the play your piece is from, and playwright). Timing of piece will begin after the SLATE.  You have 3 minutes for your monologue(s).  You can end the piece with a simple "Thank you".
  • No crazy edits please, keep it simple and have fun!
Uploading Your Video

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Department of Theatre Arts in advance at 319-335-2700.