Where kids can make a scene!
AUDITION INFORMATION
Upcoming Auditions
Welcome to the TRYPS Audition page! Are you ready to shine on stage? Then you’ve come to the right place! When you come to audition for a show with us, you are actually auditioning for two separate productions, Encore and Mainstage. In our FAQ section below, you can find more information about the differences between these two casts. Below, you will find all the information about what you need to prepare for auditions, what is expected of you, and how to register. Please make sure to read through everything carefully so that you can have the most successful and stress-free audition experience. We strive to make our auditions positive, fun, and encouraging for every child. Take a deep breath, do your best—and break a leg!
What to expect at Auditions?
Upon arriving for auditions, you will turn in your paperwork and check in. You can find information about what paperwork to bring to auditions below. After all the actors arrive at auditions and get checked in, we will split them up into 3 smaller groups and those smaller groups will rotate through an acting, singing and dance audition. It is each student's responsibility to use the material below to prepare for each rotation of the audition experience before coming to TRYPS.
What do you to need to prepare for auditions?
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For the Acting Audition: You should prepare to be able to read for any of the characters in any of the scenes linked in the folder below. The scenes do not need to be memorized, but the more familiar you are with them, the more successful you will be. We are always looking for actors that can speak loudly, clearly and are willing to make big acting choices by using their face, body and voice.
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For the Singing Audition: Listen to all the song cuts included in the folder linked below and familiarize yourself with all of them. Prepare to sing one of the song cuts solo with the instrumental track in the audition. Pick the song that showcases your voice the best. You may still be asked to sing one of the other song cuts if we feel that we need to hear something different from you. The songs do not need to be memorized, but the more familiar you are with them, the more successful you will be. We are always looking for students that are able to follow the correct rhythm and pitch of the music as well as continue to make acting choices while singing.
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For the Dance Audition: Use the dance video in the folder linked below to teach yourself the audition dance combo to the best of your ability. You should learn the dance video by mirroring the directions. Our Choreographer will briefly review the combination with each group, but then all the students will be split up into smaller groups to do the dance combination without any assistance.
Audition Material
What paperwork do I need to bring to Auditions?
At auditions, you must turn in a conflict calendar and resume. We CANNOT cast you in the show without receiving this paperwork! Both of these forms are linked below. Please download it and fill it out prior to auditions.
Audition Paperwork
(print and sign)
(print, fill out, attach a photo)
Sign up for auditions here!
3rd - 5th grade auditions:
6th - 12th grade auditions:
If you have further questions, email our production manager, Lauren Stevenson, at production@trypskids.com
Audition FAQs
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 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 Womack Family Theater.
Before You Decide To Audition
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.
Who Is Eligibile To Audition?
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 and may change depending on the content of the show as many of our TRYPS teen productions include content that is not appropriate for all ages. Be sure to check each production’s casting information for age and/or grade requirements. Auditions are required for the MAINSTAGE and ENCORE ensembles
How Do Auditions Work?
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 Auditions?
If an actor cannot attend both audition nights or may be late, please notify the creative team at production@trypskids.com. Scheduling individual auditions or receiving individual audition tapes is not possible unless this has been discussed and pre-cleared by the creative team.
What Do I Need To Bring To Auditions?
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.
Will There Be Callbacks?
Callbacks are by invitation only, but you should plan to be available just in case. 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.
How Do You Make Casting Decisions?
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.
Will Everyone Be Cast?
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.
What is the difference: Encore, Mainstage, & TYA Ensembles
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.
When Will The Cast List Be Posted?
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.
Graciously Accepting Victory Or Disappointment
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.
What Kind Of Work Should Be Done Outside Of Rehearsal?
“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
What If I Have Conflicts?
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.
How Much Does It Cost?
Tuition for a MAINSTAGE production is $350 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 $250 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.
Is Financial Assistance Available?
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
Are There Any Additional Costs?
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.
Why Do Students Pay Tuition?
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.
What is Strike and What Does It Entail?
“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.
What Volunteer Oportunities Are There For Parents?
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