Audition Day Storytime

For those of us who like to know JUST what will happen, here is a walk-through of the day.

For more concise Q&A, get the FAQs.

Hello Auditioner! This event is truly one of our favorites of the year, and I hope you can approach it as a chance to do your two-minute show. Here's what to expect.

You will arrive 30-45 minutes before your scheduled block- if you’re scheduled for 12pm, arrive between 11:15-11:30am, and you will most likely audition between 12 and 12:30. If people arrive too early, we will get too crowded, and if people arrive late, they might not be seen. The schedule is a constantly evolving and we do our best to get as many auditioners in as possible!

You will see the marquee for Boston Playwrights' Theatre on Commonwealth Avenue next to Raising Cane's. Walk up the long ramp, passing the mural, and enter at the front door where signs and a volunteer will point you down a hallway to the Green Room, where you will check in.

At check-in, we will ask if you would like to opt out of having your audition recorded, and ensure that your music is properly marked. We will give you a 3x5 card with your name and other details to hold onto. We'll probably also make a joke and try to make you smile.

Then you wait, either in the Green Room or the Wolcott (back) Theatre, a designated quiet/stretching space. Unfortunately there is no space where you can be loud, so vocal exercises should be done outside before entering the building.

There will be a Community bulletin board in the Green Room where people will have posted flyers, and there will be an “Ask Me Anything about Boston Theatre” poster where you can ask and answer questions. You can socialize quietly, use the bathroom, snack, and drink. Please let the check-in desk know if you leave the Green Room for any reason, just so we can find you when needed. 

Shortly before your time block, the Assistant Auditions Monitor will call a group of names and talk to the group about what to expect. They will collect your index card, and then you will wait a few more minutes.

Your group of 5-10 will be brought into the hallway to wait, in order, on chairs. You can leave things in the Green Room or bring them as you wish. The Auditions Monitor (AM) will introduce themselves, go over information about the process again, and ask you to pronounce your name.

They will collect your card to write notes on it, and answer any questions. It is important to be quiet in the hall. 

The theatre is wide and shallow with a level performing space, all painted black. You will enter Up Right and exit by another door Up Left, at stage level (no stairs). There will be an X Center Stage for your convenience. Four rows of 20 chairs on risers will face you, with a few more chairs on risers on Stage Left. There will be between 30-80 people in the room, mostly sitting in ones and twos, and a small camera in the center of the audience recording auditions, worked by casting director Melissa Paradice. Work lights will be on so that producers can see to take notes, but not brightly. Producers may have laptops and/or papers in front of them. 

You will enter the space from Upstage Right. If you are using our Accompanist, you will now have a moment to give him your book and check in with them (at Stage Right).

If you will use a chair or stool, you will now move it where you wish. You will cross to Center Stage (or wherever you wish to perform) and introduce yourself- something like “Hi, I am Actor Extraordinaire, and I will be singing Popular from Wicked and doing a monologue from Sweat by Lynn Nottage.” You can add your pronouns here if you would like.

Some producers may say Hi back, but there isn't time for any further conversation. The introduction is a chance to 1 - show a glimpse of who you are when you're not in character; 2 - for producers to finish up any notes or paperwork they might need to do so they can pay full attention to your audition, and 3 - for Melissa Paradice to get ready to record (unless you opted out). Introducing yourself is optional but highly recommended.

You will take a breath and perform your first piece, take a breath in between, and perform your second piece (if you are doing two). You may hear laughter at a comic moment, but not likely - it's a long day for producers. Then say “Thank you." Some producers may say "Thank you" back. If you left your book with the Accompanist, go to SR to get it. Move any chair back where it was and exit Stage Left. Don't expect any further feedback unfortunately- we're running a tight ship!

When you begin speaking your introduction, the AM will start the timer for 2 minutes and 10 seconds. If you are still speaking at the two minute mark, the AAM will open the door Stage Left, which you will probably be able to hear and see in your peripheral vision. If you are nearly done, say the last few words and say Thank you. If you are far from done, stop where you are and say Thank you. If you are still speaking at 2:10, the AAM will loudly say “Time”, you will immediately stop, say Thank You, and leave.

If you forgot your book, no worries. Tell the Auditions Monitor and they will grab it for you in a minute.

Now - you’re done! Please be kind to yourself. Someone will probably give you a high five. You can collect your things from the Green Room or hall and quietly socialize for a few minutes if you wish. 

If you change your mind and do not want your recording to be saved, please go tell the volunteer at the check-in desk.

Do NOT expect to hear anything from producers immediately after these auditions. They all have their own casting cycles and if they liked your audition, they will call you in for opportunities in the future.

Did you read the FAQs? Still have questions?
Please email the BATA team!