AUDITION PROCESS: Aurora holds auditions approximately two and a half months before a show begins. Watch the website for announcements or join the Aurora Mailing List by contacting us at info@aurorastudiotheatre.org.

TEN-MINUTE AUDITION APPOINTMENT: When audition date(s) have been announced, call Aurora at 540-668-7072 or e-mail info@aurorastudiotheatre.org to make your appointment for a ten-minute audition.

CALL BACKS: You will be asked to return to callbacks either at your audition or within a few days of your audition. As in professional theatre, if you do not receive a call within 24 hours, you have not been called back. Those who attend call backs will be called within one week about casting.

PROFESSIONAL AUDITION TECHNIQUES FOR COMEDIES OR DRAMAS
Choose a one to two-minute monologue in the style of the play - comedy or drama.  Note: Never memorize a monologue from the play being produced unless a director asks.

Practice, practice, practice. Ready? Okay...

On Audition Day: Come to audition space at your appointed time, sign in and fill out an audition form. When it's your turn, a staff member will call you into the audition room.

Upon Entering, smile as you make make eye contact with the theatre staff. Be confident. Realize we like you already - you showed up! Greet us and let us know your name and tell us what you're about to present, i.e. "Hi there. My name is Theda Thespian, and I'd like to present Polly's monologue from To Wit, to Woo.

To Present: step back and take a moment to center yourself in the character. Take just a few seconds - don't make this a production.  Then begin your monologue, focusing your eyes on a space about two feet above the staff members' heads, i.e., if the monologue is meant to be spoken to one person, imagine the other person is standing two feet above the staff and speak only to them. If the monologue is meant to address a crowd, address the crowd back and forth two feet above the heads of the staff. Whatever you do, DON'T make eye contact with staff members during a monologue (if you're wondering why, it's because they need to be taking note... and because they aren't in the scene).  When you're done, take another moment to come out of character, then look at the staff, smile and say, "Thank you."  

In professional theatre, they're most likely to say "Thank you," in reply, which is your cue to exit.  In community theatre  (Aurora), we're more likely to speak to you and ask you a couple questions before saying goodbye.

PROFESSIONAL AUDITION TECHNIQUES FOR MUSICALS
Present a monologue as above and then a song.
Piano accompaniment will be provided, so please BRING SHEET MUSIC.  Aurora always provides an accompanyist for musical auditions.  Specific shows will have specific audition requirements (i.e., 16 bars, a certain range, etc.), so check the audition requirements on the website as you make your audition appointment.

REMEMBER: We like you. You're a living, breathing, willing theatre participant, and, for all we know, another Broadway Star in the making. Enjoy the audition process: even if this show isn't a perfect fit for you, the next one might be, and we never forget a friendly face. That's why they call it community theatre.

JOIN AURORA!
Add your name and address and/or e-mail address
to our list to receive auditition notices, shows announcements, and a copy of Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc.'s annual color brochure by contacting us at info@aurorastudiotheatre.org.