Everything You Need to Know about TADW Auditions

Auditions can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for performers. In this blog post, we hope to give you all the information you need to feel confident and well-informed at your audition for the Teenage Drama Workshop. (If you're enrolled for this summer, your family should have received an email with much of this information already.) Below are some frequently asked questions about TADW auditions:

What are the auditions for? Aren't I already signed up for TADW?

Everyone who is enrolled in the performance option of TADW will be cast in one of our two main productions. (Other performance opportunities, such as the 10 Minute Play Festival and the Munch & Crunch musical revue, will be cast later.)

The purpose of these auditions is to determine which production you will be in and which part you will play.

Additionally, these auditions are used to place students who have requested Musical Theatre as their elective. (The Musical Theatre elective is by audition only.)

Do I need to come both days?

Yes, if at all possible. The auditions will be different on each day. If you can only make it to one day of auditions, or if you have to leave before 12:15, please let us know!

When and where do I go?

This year, auditions will be held on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th. We will meet in the Little Theatre in Nordhoff Hall at Cal State Northridge. (Check out the link to the map of CSUN on the right side of this page.)

We will begin at 8:30 with a welcome an introduction, and go until 12:15. (See below for more info on when we're done).

What do I need to bring/prepare?

• You will need to bring the forms that were emailed to you (medical release form, t-shirt order form, pizza and Subway order forms, image release form, off-campus permission form, and TADW Code of Conduct -on't forget to sign it!)

• Bring dance shoes and appropriate clothing for the dance audition.

• You should prepare a song to sing. It can be any song you feel comfortable singing, but as a rule of thumb, musical theatre songs work much better than pop songs for an audition. You probably will not get to sing your entire song; in the interest of time you will likely only perform a few bars. Please bring accompaniment for your song - either sheet music for the pianist or a backup track (with no vocals) either on CD or an MP3 player. We prefer that you do not audition a cappella (without accompaniment) because we want to hear that you can match key and timing as you sing.

• You do not need to prepare a monologue or a scene for the acting audition.

• You do not need to prepare a routine for the dance audition.

• You should bring a lunch if you would like to stay and eat with your new (or old ) TADW friends after the audition.

What will happen at auditions?

As previously stated, the Saturday and Sunday auditions will be a bit different. On both days, you will check in with the TADW staff outside the theatre. This is where you will turn in your forms (and checks, if you have them).

On Saturday:

We will break everyone up into three groups. The groups will be divided by age, so you will be in a group of people about the same age as you are. (For those of you who know about the TADW "levels" - these groups are not necessarily the same as the level you will be in). Each group will rotate through three different audition areas:

Dancing: With a group, you will be taught a short dance routine and asked to perform it. Many students who don't have dance experience may feel intimidated by this, but don't worry - you won't be alone up there, and attitude is just as important as skill.

Singing: Here, you will be asked to perform the song you have prepared. Again, students often feel nervous if they aren't used to singing in front of people. Don't be! TADW has students of all levels, and this is a very supportive group of people.

Acting: You will either be asked to improvise or you will be given "sides" - short pieces of the script - and asked to read them. You may not get to read for the exact part that you want, but this does not mean that you won't get that part.

On Sunday:

The auditions will be structured more like call-backs, where you will be auditioning for a specific show. Students will be split into two groups. Each group will audition for one of our two productions. After an hour and a half, the groups will switch. On this day, directors will be taking a closer look at who they want for their show and in what role. Again, performers will be given sides or asked to improvise or possibly to sing a little bit. You do not need to prepare any material for this audition.

When will I be done?

We will stop at 12:15; most people will be done with the audition at this point. You are invited to bring a lunch and picnic with us until 1:15.

After lunch on Saturday, some people may be asked to stay no later than 3:00. If you are asked to stay, you will know by 12:30 so that you can call your parents (or other transportation) and let them know.

On Sunday, we will be done at 12:15.

What does it mean if I am/am not asked to stay?

This is not a callback, and it does not mean that you will or will not be given a certain type of part. If you are asked to stay, it simply means that the director feels he needs to see more of you.

If you are not asked to stay, that does not mean that you are not going to get a good part. It may be that the director already knows how he wants to cast you and doesn't need more time with you to figure it out.

Are parents supposed to stay for auditions?

Parents are welcome to come and check their students in and to stay for the welcome speech if they like, but parents are not allowed to watch the auditions. If you choose to park and accompany your child to sign in and for the welcome speech, please be advised that you will have to purchase a $6 parking pass from one of the machines in the parking lot, or you risk getting a ticket.

When will I know what show/part I got????

The directors will be casting the show immediately after the auditions on Sunday, so the cast lists will be ready on Sunday afternoon at around 2:00-3:00. Once the cast lists are determined, they will be disseminated in various ways:

1) Posted on the call board at TADW - some students (usually only a hardy few) tend to hang around and wait for this event to happen, but they may have to wait a couple of hours!

2) Posted on our Facebook page

3) Posted on this blog. :-)

4) You will receive your TADW Student Handbook shortly after auditions, which will also include the cast lists.

What do I do then?

Show up at 8:15 am on Monday, June 17th READY TO ROCK AND ROLL!

Need some words of inspiration? 

Anyone who's ever auditioned has probably heard the voice of their inner critic. TADW acting instructor and adventurer extraordinaire Chris Halsted delivers some inspiring words in this video from the 2013 TADW auditions: