Cattle Call/Unified Auditions are required of all Theatre Majors Minors and Graduate Students that wish to perform in the Fall Production. Each student must present a one minute memorized monologue and may perform 16 bars of a song from the musical theatre repertoire, unless other arrangements have been made with Jennifer Vellenga, Head of Acting/Directing (vellenga@ksu.edu). There will be one chair on stage, no other props are allowed. Check-in in the Nichols Lobby. The SM will direct you to the preparation area when your time is near. When you have your turn on stage, state your name, and the title of the play. Take a moment to prepare and deliver your monologue. No feedback will occur at the time of the audition.
Anyone who wishes to audition for any of the fall shows is encouraged to participate in the Cattle Call Auditions. Sign up for an audition time in the office of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance – 109 McCain Auditorium.
Wednesday, August 22 @ 6:30pm-10:30pm – Mandatory Cattle Call/Unified Auditions for Majors, Minors, Theatre Graduate Students, and Music Theatre majors. Optional for non-majors. This audition is highly encouraged for anyone wanting to audition for a show. Sign up for a time in 109 McCain. A one minute prepared monologue is required. Optional: In addition, prepare 16 bars from the musical theatre repertoire. An accompanist will be available so bring sheet music.
Thursday, August 23 @ 7:00pm-10:00pm – Individual Show auditions for all Kansas State Students.
Music Man acting, vocal, and dance auditions. 2nd Masque show auditions.
Friday, August 24 @ 7:00pm-10:00pm – Individual Show Auditions for all Kansas State Students.
Time Stands Still and In the Blood auditions.
If you have a conflict for the specific show audition day on Thursday or Friday, please talk to the directors auditioning on that day to arrange a makeup time.
Check the Callboard near the vending machines in Nichols to see and initial Callback lists or go to kstatetheatredance.wordpress.com to view the list and post in ‘comments’ your acceptance. Cast lists will be posted both electronically and on the Call Board.
Callbacks will be: Saturday, August 25
(Callback lists will be posted Friday night after director’s meeting.)
Music Man and the 2nd Masque show will audition from 1:00 to 3:30.
Time Stands Still and In the Blood will audition from 3:30 till 6:00.
Cast Lists will be posted by the Monday Morning following auditions on both the bulletin board and on this virtual callboard.
What you must bring (required):
Pen
Class Schedule
Conflicts–ALL conflicts including work, choir concerts, chapter, etc.
What you may bring:
Monologue–if you have one that is prepared (keep it short), If you are a major you will have done one at the Cattle-Call /Unified Auditions. Usually it is not required for the show auditions.
Song—Check the Music Man Audition information for details. We really like it if you have your own song to sing. Happy Birthday or Amazing Grace won’t show off your voice as well as a song you’ve chosen for yourself.
What to wear: Something you are comfortable in. Wear something distinctive. Look nice and presentable. Something you can dance in if you’re auditioning for the musical. Many people bring dance clothes to change into. Heels are fine, but most of the rehearsal rooms require you to take off your shoes, so keep that in mind. Jeans are okay, but dress pants are especially nice.
PLEASE NOTE: they ABSOLUTELY want you to wear THE EXACT SAME THING to callbacks that you wore to auditions. If this means you wear the same outfit for three nights in a row, which is WHAT WE WANT. Of course, you may wash your clothes, but this is an ESSENTIAL tool for the directors trying to recall the new faces. Everyone else in the department also does this, so there is no need to feel like you’ll be the only one.
What to expect:
Come early so that you have time to fill out the audition forms and all that lovely information. Don’t expect to get through all the auditions in one night. It is possible, but you will need the full three hours to accomplish it. You will need an audition partner, so either go with another person auditioning or don’t be afraid to ask anyone in the lobby if they’ll partner up with you. If you have time, you might stick around towards the end of the night just in case someone else needs a partner (this is especially nice if you are a guy).
The directors will have a short scene for you to audition with. You will be given time to go over them. They may also have a monologue from the script.
Check in with the stage manager outside the audition room before entering. You’ll have to wait in line, but hopefully not for too long.
Helpful tips: Read the script, Read the script, Read the script. This will help you succeed in an audition more than anything else you can do. Reading copies are available in the MTD main office (109 McCain Auditorium) from 9-5 M-F. You can check scripts out for two hours at a time. A lot of our plays are also available in the library or online.
The directors may post some audition info on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the Nichols theatre, but reading the script allows you to make a personal analysis of the characters and the script. Check your availability and your conflicts.
Be smart–if you have a performance night conflict, you almost guaranteed will not be able to be in that show. Be truthful about your conflicts. We can work around a lot of conflicts, but if you tell us about them after you’ve known about them for several weeks, we won’t be very happy. When giving the accompanist your song, feel free to stand by as he looks over it in case he has any questions. You may ask to go over a tricky part with him really quickly so it goes smoothly for the director. When he asks you about the tempo, sing a bit for him so he can get the tempo from that. Don’t forget to thank him when you’re done. If conflicts allow, audition for everything. Don’t limit yourself and don’t be afraid!
Professional Cattle Call hints from www.cattlecallauditions.com
The audition, it’s a process most actors have come to love dread at the same time. Actors love that they actually got the audition and therefore the chance at that role they want, yet dread the pressure of nailing it and impressing the casting directors. If only there was a magic pill….
Well, as much as we want the magic pill, it simply hasn’t been invented yet. However, there are some tips from the audition pros that may help you get prepared and relieve a bit of the pre-audition anxiety.
Professionalism – Casting directors and productions expect professionalism. Make sure that your resume looks and reads like a pros. Have your paperwork ready and in order. The last thing you want to do is waste their time by having to search your bags for your headshot or resume. (Headshots and resumes are not required for the Kansas State Cattle Call Audition.)
Knowledge – Do your research on the company you are auditioning for. Learn about their previous and upcoming projects. With theater companies, find out what their mission statement is. Knowing who you are auditioning for will show that you are knowledgeable, prepared and have an interest in their work. Knowing their background will also help with conversation and can even be used as an icebreaker.
honesty – Do not exaggerate your experience, they will find out and you will feel stupid. Everyone has to start somewhere and most casting directors will not dismiss a talented actor for lack of experience. Impress them with your performance, demeanor and passion for the art.
Selection – Select the roles you audition for carefully. Make sure you are well qualified for the job and it is something you can do. Going to every and any casting call regardless of qualifications will not increase your odds of landing a gig, on the contrary, it will decrease them since you may gain a reputation you do not want.
After the audition – Sometimes you may want to send a thank you email or note to the casting director. I say sometimes because you really have to read the casting director to know if they would appreciate the note or find it annoying and kiss ass. Try asking around to get a feel for whether you should or not.
The callback – If you got the call back then you are going in the right direction of landing that role, if you didn’t, don’t despair. Something better is around the corner. Just about every actor has a story about being rejected for one role leaving them open to audition for a far better one and landing the gig.
Other notes to consider when going to a professional Cattle Call Audition.
Let’s start with the basics,
Research
Research your casting call well. Check out the company involved and make sure they are on the level. Doing that basic research will save you valuable time. There are many shady companies that post what look like valid casting calls but end up being marketing gimmicks, scams, completely useless and even pornographic. Make sure you look at the company’s website and thoroughly research the name of the company and casting director online.
Common Sense
If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Many companies pray on the young and beginning actor using high paying jobs as the bait to get them into their office and a high pressure sales pitch follows.
Research and common sense will keep you out of trouble