Where kids can make a scene!
AUDITION INFORMATION
Upcoming Auditions
AUDITIONS FOR CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG JR
Open to 3rd-12th graders
AUDITION WORKSHOP
Aug 27 1-4pm
AUDITIONS
Aug 31 6-8pm
CALLBACKS (if needed)
Sept 1 6-8pm
Auditions will be held at TRYPS:
Columbia Mall • 2300 Bernadette Dr., #918
To attend the audition workshop, you must pre-enroll
Read all the Audition Information below.
Download all the Audition paperwork and fill it out prior to the workshop:
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Conflict Calendar and mark all full or partial absences
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Resume form and attach a photo that will not be returned TRYPS assists many local casting opportunities, so having this form on-hand for your family is very helpful!
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Scholarship application (if needed)
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Actors with outstanding tuition balances may not audition for another show until the balance is paid in full.
If you have further questions, email TRYPS at: trypskids@gmail.com
(print and sign)
(print, fill out, attach a photo)
Audition Questions
So you want to audition for a show!
Joining the cast of a production is a huge commitment. It requires time, effort, outside preparation, and dedication. Actors will rehearse over 60-80 hours to prepare each MAINSTAGE show. MAINSTAGE is the full production performed at Launer Auditorium for school matinees and the public. Actors will rehearse for 30 hours to prepare each ENCORE show. ENCORE is an abridged version of a play performed in the TRYPS Little Theatre.
Please REVIEW all the audition information completely – especially the Conflict Calendar. Actors and their families are making a COMMITMENT to attend all rehearsals, technical rehearsals, performances, and assisting with the strike. Actors are expected to arrive on time and attend all rehearsals. If an actor will miss two or more rehearsals or any tech rehearsals (rehearsals in the theatre leading up to opening) – please DO NOT audition. If conflicts are disclosed AFTER casting, the company reserves the right to recast an actor.
In general, a student must be in 3rd grade to audition for a MAINSTAGE or an ENCORE production. Audition grade levels will be included in all audition information. Be sure to check each production’s casting information for age and/or grade requirements. Auditions are required for the MAINSTAGE and ENCORE ensembles
Audition Workshop is a three-hour workshop that prepares students for auditions. It is a low-stress opportunity to meet the creative team, to learn the audition material, to meet other actors, and to learn audition techniques. Actors learn music, read through scenes, practice a short dance combination, and explore character choices and motivation. Actors should bring their audition paperwork to the Audition Workshop (Personal Info Form, Resume with photo, and Conflict Calendar) Actors will stay the entire time and take home an audition packet including music/lyrics and audition scenes. Audition Workshops are free to attend, but do require registration to ensure TRYPS staff has all emergency information while students are in our care.
The Audition Workshop is focused on actor preparation. Everyone is learning and seeing material for the first time. During the Audition Workshop, actors will meet the creative team (director, choreographer, music director, and stage manager). Actors are not expected to sing or dance solo at the Audition Workshop, but may be asked During the Audition Workshop, actors may or may not read a role for which they are eligible. The goal is to provide an opportunity to read aloud. The Auditions are focused on creating acting, singing, and dancing opportunities for each actor in as many roles and combinations as possible. The creative team bases casting decisions on the work shown during auditions. Actors should be prepared to read, dance and sing solo or in combinations as requested by the creative team. Auditions allow time to pair actors and explore combinations in order to assemble the strongest casting possible.
Auditions are scheduled to allow the creative team time to make the best possible casting decisions. Actors should be prepared to read multiple roles, sing solo, and dance in small groups, but are not required to memorize material. The creative team is comprised of the director, choreographer, vocal director, and stage manager. They work to put the strongest actor in each role as demanded by the script: height, age, gender, acting skills, singing and dance ability, and best reading for the role are all factors taken into consideration.
What if an actor cannot attend the Audition Workshop or Auditions?
If an actor cannot attend both audition nights or may be late, please notify the creative team at trypskids@gmail.com. Scheduling individual auditions or receiving individual audition tapes is not possible unless this has been discussed and pre-cleared by the creative team.
Please bring all of the audition paperwork: • A signed conflict calendar noting all partial and full conflicts • A resume with photo attached (photo will not be returned) • Scholarship application (only if applying for financial assistance) Special casting requests: • It is not recommended – but actors wishing to limit their casting potential should note casting restrictions on their permission form. (ex. a specific role only, MAINSTAGE cast only, ENCORE cast only) Remember this important casting rule at TRYPS: • If an actor drops out of production after the cast list has been posted, the actor cannot participate in another TRYPS production for a full calendar year.
We do not require callbacks for the entire company. You will be notified via the email provided on the sign in sheet if you are needed for callbacks.
Casting is a responsibility that TRYPS takes very seriously. Our goal is to cast everyone in the role that will help them grow and make the entire production as strong as possible. Roles are cast based on a variety of factors: strength of audition, willingness to try, commitment to character choices, singing ability, ability to take direction, focus, chemistry between actors, height, age, number of conflicts, best challenge for each actor, etc. TRYPS does not pre-cast roles without disclosure. TRYPS reserves the right to double-cast roles dependent on the demands of a production without a reduction in tuition.
We will make every effort to offer a role to every actor who auditions for the production, in either the MAINSTAGE or ENCORE ensembles. We anticipate creating a MAINSTAGE cast of 25-30 students and an ENCORE cast of 15-20 students, each with roles of various sizes. It may be possible that an actor will be asked to participate in a MINI PLAY class. This may be due to the number of actors who auditioned (because there are limitations on cast size due to space), experience, behavior, or conflicts.
Students are cast in one of three production types depending on age, experience, role size, and challenge. Each experience allows students to build a strong performance skill set and ability as they move through the program. The casting requirements are not talent-based – but ability, maturity, focus, and confidence. ENCORE (Grades 3-9) – Students perform a 30-45 minute abridged production in two performances at the TRYPS Little Theater in costumes with simple set pieces. Students learn about rehearsal techniques, choreography, and the basics of technical rehearsals. ENCORE training is invaluable as it most closely mirrors a full production and its demands. MAINSTAGE (Grades 3-12) – Students perform in a fully realized production that is performed in a theatre with multiple performances for the general public and school audiences. Students should exhibit strong acting skills, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and ability to focus, team spirit, as well as a strong performance skill set (acting, dance & singing). TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) – Students are invited to audition and participate in these productions. Young actors rehearse alongside TRYPS teachers and local artists in a 10-day professional rehearsal calendar. They appear in multiple performances for school groups and general public in a fully realized production.
We will make every effort to offer a role to every actor who auditions for the production, in either the MAINSTAGE or ENCORE ensembles. We anticipate creating a MAINSTAGE cast of 25-30 students and an ENCORE cast of 15-20 students, each with roles of various sizes. It may be possible that an actor will be asked to participate in a MINI PLAY class. This may be due to the number of actors who auditioned (because there are limitations on cast size due to space), experience, behavior, or conflicts.
Everyone will have a strong reaction when the cast list is posted. It is natural to be excited, disappointed, confused, and a host of other feelings. • Actors and families should understand that we believe in every student who auditions. • Take time to process feelings. Be gracious about the decision made. • Learning to be a humble winner and to accept disappointment graciously are an important life lessons – far more important than one play! How can an actor improve from show to show? The creative team is happy to provide feedback, goals, and challenges for each production and role- all you have to do is ask.
“Practice makes perfect” is the truth! Actors are expected to rehearse their lines, blocking, character and choreography outside of rehearsal to create the most confident, polished performance with the least amount of “stage fright.” Parents are encouraged to “run lines” or review the script with their child to help them memorize. Actors must know their lines, blocking, cues, choreography for the entire production prior to tech week. If the lack of readiness is extreme, the ensemble is not able to accomplish rehearsals in the theatre that help us cue lights, sound, practice costume changes in real time and affect the quality of the entire production. The creative team reserves the right to reassign lines and assignments during tech week should any actor show a lack of preparation. When possible, we will videotape scenes and songs at rehearsal and upload them to a private Youtube channel. Actors will have access to rehearsal links and are expected practice along with at home. We encourage our actors to watch these videos at least THREE times between rehearsals- 1. Once to look at the whole scene. 2. Once to look specifically at their work in the scene or song. 3. A third time to practice along with the link – dance, sing, rehearse lines. Please do not post rehearsal videos on social media
All conflicts should be marked on the conflict calendar that is turned in with audition paperwork. Should any additional conflicts arise, please let TRYPS know as soon as possible so that the creative team can adjust plans accordingly. We reserve the right to permanently include or exclude an actor from work rehearsed during an undisclosed conflict date not noted on the original conflict calendar. The creative team is not available for additional rehearsals to assist a student with work missed. Each rehearsal missed affects three rehearsals – absence, learn what was missed, master the work missed during an absence. This isn’t meant as a punishment; the show must stay on track.
Tuition for a MAINSTAGE production is $325 and includes: • A production t-shirt for the actor • 2 complimentary tickets to Family Watch Night • One 11”x14” production poster • Costumes (excludes: shoes, under-dressing or base costume, & makeup that is available at the local retail store) • Script (If a script is lost, an actor will be required to pay the replacement fee and postage.) Tuition for an ENCORE production is $225 and includes: • A production t-shirt for the actor • 4 complimentary tickets to one of the two Open House performances • One 11”x14” production poster • Costumes (excludes: shoes, under-dressing or base costume, & makeup that is available at the local retail store) • Script (If a script is lost, an actor will be required to pay the replacement fee and postage.) When is tuition due? • Tuition is due at the first rehearsal. • Payment plans may be arranged with the TRYPS staff. • Tuition must be paid in full by the first performance. • Actors with an unpaid balance may not audition.
Partial scholarships are available with an application. Scholarship applications must be turned in with audition paperwork in order to be considered. • All information submitted will remain confidential. • Two teacher recommendations are requested. Teachers will send their forms directly to TRYPS (trypskids@gmail.com) and will remain confidential. • Applications are run through our scholarship rubric to determine the amount of scholarship awarded. • We are happy to work with a family to create a payment plan as well. • Day Dreams Foundation is an excellent resource for families requiring tuition assistance: www.daydreamsfoundation.org • (573) 214-2600
Cast members may be responsible for these additional costs: • Purchasing shoes specific to the production • Make-up (basic foundation, blush, eyeliner, etc available at retail stores) • Under-dressing or a foundation costume (information will be provided by the costume designer after rehearsals have begun). • An item to be included in the raffle baskets ($5-$10 only) • A laundry basket for personal items at the theatre.
The most common misconception about a Not-for-Profit is that it does not need to or cannot make a profit. Not true! Not-for-profits must to cover costs – rent, utilities, insurance, staff, and program costs. A “not-for-profit” means that the company cannot divide the profits among shareholders and investors as they do with a Broadway show. Profits at TRYPS are invested into the company - salaries for teaching artists and guest artists, advertising expenses, theatre rental, licensing fees, production tees, costumes, sets, and props, and more. Our MAINSTAGE shows average $20,000-$25,000 per production. Tuition covers only $5,000-$9,000. We rely on tuition and ticket sales to keep our doors open and continue doing business. Every single dime you invest, you will see on the stage and in the quality creative and technical team that we are able to hire.
“Strike” refers to the post-show effort needed to disassemble the set, clean out the theater space, and take everything back to storage - we always want to leave a borrowed or rented space in better condition than it was when we found it. All cast members and parents volunteer to vacuum and sweep, clean bathrooms, load the U-Haul truck, and restock equipment at TRYPS. It is a lot of work. But with all hands on deck, it can get done very quickly! Strike usually takes 3-4 hours after the final performance. It is mandatory for all cast members and parent volunteers.
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer with any production! Are you able to sew on a button or finish a hem or assemble an entire garment? Can you paint one color, fill-in-the-lines, or are you a skilled artist? Are you able to use a skill saw, drill, or are you a skilled carpenter? Productions need parents and cast members to hang posters, label costumes, usher, organize dressing room spaces, change actors during performances. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the TRYPS staff via email – trypskids@gmail.com