Auditions

Auditions for the fall semester productions happen at the beginning of the fall semester, usually the Monday of classes. Auditions for the spring semester productions happen in the beginning of the spring semester, usually the first Monday of classes. 

Any student at Indiana State can audition for plays and musicals! We welcome both undergraduate and graduate students. If you are currently registered for classes, you can audition.

No! Students from any major are welcome to audition. Nonmajors/minors are cast every year!

Yes! We encourage students to audition from their first semester.

Only if you want to. On your audition form, you can indicate which show or shows you would like to be considered. 

You will begin your audition by slating. A slate consists of a greeting and stating your name and audition number (if applicable), and then introducing the piece or pieces that you will be performing. For each piece, say the name of the character, the name of the play, and the name of the playwright. The slate lets the directors know who you are and is a chance to show how different you as the actor are from you as the character.

Next, take a brief pause, and then begin your monologue. While you can make eye contact with people in the room, you can also opt to look above their heads or at empty seats. If you are performing more than one piece (e.g., performing two monologues, a monologue and a song, etc.), take a brief pause between each piece. If you run out of time or mess up, do not fret! Take a second and try again. You do not need to apologize--we only know there is an error if you tell us there is an error by apologizing!

When you are finished, you can say, "Thank you." Finally, the directors may ask you some questions and/or provide you with some additional information. After this point, you can leave unless you have a song or other audition. 

requirement to perform.

Note: If you are auditioning for a musical, you will confer with the accompanist about your sheet music. Be sure to tell them if you will sing first and then do the monologue or vice versa. 

The requirements for auditions vary depending on the play being produced. Generally, auditions will consist of at least one memorized, one-minute monologue. Sometimes, actors select their own monologues. In other instances, directors will have specific options to choose from.

For musicals, auditions will generally consist of a one memorized, one-minute monologue and a memorized song (either 16 bars or the entire song) to be sung with accompaniment (either a recording or live pianist). If you opt for a recording, there is a speaker that you could plug your phone into. For live accompaniment, please bring your printed notated sheet music with you; there will be an accompanist present that you will confer with prior to your audition. There may also be a dance audition where you will be taught choreography and show how you dance; however, this may occur during callbacks. 

A headshot and/or résumé is not required but can be helpful. If you have these, you can upload them to your information when you schedule your audition slot at https://isuauditions.as.me/.

We recommend wearing nice, clean clothes that you feel good in. Make sure your hair is out of your face and keep jewelry/accessories to a minimum. We also recommend wearing solid colors. Remember, auditining is a job interview!

For musical callbacks, please wear clothes that you can move in and bring your dance shoes if you have them. If you do not have dance shoes, please wear athletic shoes. Avoid wearing flip-flops or heels, unless asked to do so. Make sure your hair is out of your face and keep jewelry/accessories to a minimum. 

Yes! There is a course, Production Practicum, that you can take to learn more about backstage work and earn college credit for your production assignment. Email the Theater Advisor, Julie Dixon, at julie.dixon@indstate.edu to learn more.