Auditions at Trinity
Auditions are open to all Trinity University students, regardless of declared majors. The drama program produces two main stage productions per semester. Auditions for the fall semester usually take place during the first week of fall classes. Auditions for the spring semester usually occur between Thanksgiving and the fall semester reading days. Student lab productions hold auditions as announced.

Tips for General Auditions at Trinity
You must sign up for an audition in advance. The department will post available slots for auditions in the Lobby of the Stieren Theater. On the evening of your audition, arrive 5-10 minutes ahead of your audition time so that you can fill out a card with your contact information and any schedule conflicts you might have during the rehearsal process. Please fill out your card completely and be aware—before you come in--of any dates coming up (weddings, religious holidays, class field trips, evening classes, athletic tournaments, choir tours) that you’re committed to. Directors can often work around conflicts for school-related activities or important family events, but they must know about those dates in advance.

RETURNING AUDITIONERS are expected to perform two contrasting monologues or one monologue and 1-2 minutes of a song if auditioning for a musical; your entire audition should not exceed 3 minutes. IF YOU ARE A FIRST-TIME AUDITIONEE, you will be asked to present only one 60-90 second monologue - if you would like to present additional materia (a 2nd monologue or a song) you are encouraged to do so, but it is not a requirement. If you will be presenting a song, an accompaniest will be available at the audition, so plan to bring pertinent sheet music. More information regarding specific semester’s auditions will be posted in the Lobby of the Stieren Theater prior to the scheduled audition period.

During your five-minute audition slot, you’ll be walked into the theatre by the stage manager and introduced to the directors. As you’re being led to the stage, the directors will look over your information card; once the directors tell you they’re ready, you’ll present your piece. Sometimes the directors will ask you a few questions—about your conflicts, experience, or your audition material--before you go.

Wear clothes that are simple, comfortable, allow you to move, and look good on you. Please avoid clothing that is too revealing or too baggy; hats; jangly or distracting jewelry; high heeled shoes, and flip-flops.

Don’t “costume” yourself for the roles you’re playing, but wear clothes that help you move appropriately and feel more in character. For example, if you were auditioning as a gentleman at a formal dinner or dance, you would be better served to wear a shirt, slacks, and hard-soled shoes instead of shorts and sneakers. Similarly, if your character is in an informal situation, wearing formal, constricting clothing will hinder your ability to move and act appropriately.

Generally, it is best to pantomime all props, but you may use props if they are small enough to fit in your pocket.

To select an audition piece, look for plays by well-known playwrights and select a short speech (a monologue) said by one character. Do not include dialogue said by other characters. Avoid stringing together little bits of dialogue from one character; instead choose a whole--or part of a whole--speech that a character says, alone or to another character.

Choose an audition piece that is one minute, within your playable age range (approx. 18-30 yrs), and that is from a play—not from a film script or non-dramatic literature. Avoid choosing material from the plays you’re auditioning for; using material from other plays by the same playwrights, however, is perfectly acceptable.

Think about the genres of the plays that you’re auditioning for and try to choose material from those genres. If you’re auditioning for a musical comedy, then you may want to audition with a comic piece and a song. Whether you’re auditioning for a Shakespeare play, a Greek tragedy, or a nineteenth-century melodrama, it’s always good to select an audition piece from that era to show that you can adapt to the particular style and language of those plays. If you need assistance in finding plays from particular genres, ask around: upper division students and drama faculty/staff are good resources for audition ideas.

A word or two about dialects …DON’T, unless the play you're auditioning for requires that dialect. Conversely, students should feel no pressure to use dialects for a dialect-play audition, because dialects are always taught in rehearsal.

If possible, make sure you read the entire play your monologue is taken from; you’ll have a much clearer understanding of your piece’s context and how to approach the character.

Make sure your piece is well memorized and rehearsed. Performing your monologue several times for friends or more experienced drama students is a good way to practice for your audition. If you are able to attend an audition workshop, take advantage of that opportunity.

Before you present your piece, simply state your name, the character’s name, and the play. For example, “I’m Mary Smith and I’ll be performing Laura from The Glass Menagerie.” No need to explain the scene. At the end of your monologue, pause after your last line for a couple of seconds; then say “Thank you,” and you’re done!

You may present your monologue standing or sitting--whatever you think is appropriate to the monologue’s dramatic context. A chair will be provided for your use. If you present two pieces, however, don’t do both of them sitting. The directors will want to see how you look when you’re standing and moving.

When presenting, make sure your placement and focus is out front--toward the auditorium--not to the side, toward the wings. A front presentation will allow you to be seen and heard to your best advantage.

Remember that the directors are rooting for you—they want to see what kind of person you are and how much you enjoy acting. They want you to participate in our program and have a good experience.

Most important, have fun—it’s your time to introduce yourself and show what you can do. Break a leg!