Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Season Auditions

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lparks
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Joined: 1/12/10
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Topic: Season Auditions
Posted: 5/20/10 at 11:36am

I'm trying to decide on rather to cast all the main roles in our 2010/2011 season NOW, rather than waiting till shortly before rehearsals for each show; or rather to wait it out? I know it can be done either way, but how do YOU cast your season?

Keep in mind, We only hold one audition a year, and I direct all the shows. So, given that, should I cast all upfront?

Thanks!

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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MartyW
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Posted: 5/20/10 at 1:10pm

How "long" is your season... If you run all year, are you sure people you cast today are still going to be available a year from now? or that they will still be the "best choice" by then, considering all the people woh come into and leave town in the course of a year? Are you limiting yourself to growth by folks who show up after the first month of your season looking to "play" only to find out all the choice parts are spoken for for the rest of the year? wow... That wouldn't work so well for us... but hey, different strokes. Each of our plays is open casting (with few exceptions) at the start of each shows rehearsal period....

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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lparks
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Posted: 5/20/10 at 1:18pm

We have a October - June Season. I only choose this method of casting since several of the local "pro" theaters have taken this route. For instance, Cardinal Stage holds open auditions once per year (in may for the entire following season). I like this method because we have limited access to a suitable audition site each year (maximum of 20 times per year, and 12 board meetings + call-backs have to take place here as well).

Other than that, I don't really know what the advantage vs disadvantage would be to this method. Hmmmm.

One of the reasons I think this is being done by the pros is that there are a lot of theatre companies in town, and we each want to secure the best talent before the next guy...

Edited by lparks - 5/20/10 at 1:19pm

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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MartyW
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Posted: 5/21/10 at 9:02am

Thats great that you have so much compition... that means more local theater to see! Would not have thought that Bloomington had that big a Pro group, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.. Most of the folks I deal with here are all armature community theater types.. So many of our experiences may not directly translate. Have a great season!

Edited by MartyW - 5/21/10 at 9:03am

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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Author	Message
lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Topic: Season Auditions Posted: 5/20/10 at 11:36am
	I'm trying to decide on rather to cast all the main roles in our 2010/2011 season NOW, rather than waiting till shortly before rehearsals for each show; or rather to wait it out? I know it can be done either way, but how do YOU cast your season? Keep in mind, We only hold one audition a year, and I direct all the shows. So, given that, should I cast all upfront? Thanks!
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 5/20/10 at 1:10pm
	How "long" is your season... If you run all year, are you sure people you cast today are still going to be available a year from now? or that they will still be the "best choice" by then, considering all the people woh come into and leave town in the course of a year? Are you limiting yourself to growth by folks who show up after the first month of your season looking to "play" only to find out all the choice parts are spoken for for the rest of the year? wow... That wouldn't work so well for us... but hey, different strokes. Each of our plays is open casting (with few exceptions) at the start of each shows rehearsal period....
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 5/20/10 at 1:18pm
	We have a October - June Season. I only choose this method of casting since several of the local "pro" theaters have taken this route. For instance, Cardinal Stage holds open auditions once per year (in may for the entire following season). I like this method because we have limited access to a suitable audition site each year (maximum of 20 times per year, and 12 board meetings + call-backs have to take place here as well). Other than that, I don't really know what the advantage vs disadvantage would be to this method. Hmmmm. One of the reasons I think this is being done by the pros is that there are a lot of theatre companies in town, and we each want to secure the best talent before the next guy... Edited by lparks - 5/20/10 at 1:19pm
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 5/21/10 at 9:02am
	Thats great that you have so much compition... that means more local theater to see! Would not have thought that Bloomington had that big a Pro group, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.. Most of the folks I deal with here are all armature community theater types.. So many of our experiences may not directly translate. Have a great season! Edited by MartyW - 5/21/10 at 9:03am
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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Topic: Season Auditions( Topic Closed)