Auditioning for Traveling Troupe or Commedia Troupe - Here's How it Works!
Do I need to register for auditions?
Yes. And replying on Facebook doesn't count. Register today and get lots of useful info (your parents will thank you for this).
Do I need an audition slot?
Nope. You'll be in the audition room the whole time. We're equally interested in how you play with others (and with whom you play particularly well) as we are in your audition piece. So plan to spend the day with us and even enjoy a pizza break.
Do I need to prepare anything for the auditions?
Yes. Traveling Troupe auditions require a Shakespearean monologue (min. 14 lines). Even Commedia Troupe kids need to prep a piece.
Does it matter if I come to the January or February audition?
Come to the January audition if at all possible, since we begin to make some casting choices at that point. However, nothing is set in stone until after the February audition, so don't despair if you have a conflict.
Can I audition even if I don't know if I can participate this summer?
No, sorry. While we understand that it can be hard to plan your summer, it's impossible for us to cast actors who might not accept the parts. By coming to the audition, you're making a commitment to the show and to the other ensemble members.
I was in a Troupe last year. Do I still need to audition?
Yes. We select new actors each year. Usually, this means returning Troupe members will be re-accepted, but not always. Plus, for casting purposes, it’s important for us to see how you’ve grown or changed over the year: the audition isn’t just to determine if we’ll use you, but also how.
How do you decide who gets in?
We accept kids to the Troupes by considering the needs of the individuals and the needs of the play. We have to cast the plays with actors who are right for the roles. We also have to find roles that will challenge the individual actors, and sometimes we don't take a brilliant actor because they stand to get a better part in the High School Ensemble. We also select people based on how they work in the group and what kind of energy they bring in.
I'm interested in Commedia, but I love Shakespeare. What should I do?
The best option would be to enroll in High School Ensemble first session, and audition for Commedia Troupe for second session. This will give you an incredible range of training in just one summer.
Are the auditions scary?
We like to create a playful and supportive environment where returning TPE kids can reconnect with friends and newcomers to our community can be welcomed. Over the course of the audition, you will be given lots of opportunities to display your skills through improvisations, readings from scripts, and group discussions. We've been told that Troupe auditions are the most fun auditions our kids have ever attended. We intend to keep it that way.
Can I audition for both Commedia and Traveling Troupe?
Yes, you can! And I highly recommend it! You can't be cast in both, as they overlap. But this will allow you to be cast in the show that will give you the most challenging role. Here's how it works:
Figure out which troupe you’d prefer, since we will take that into consideration. We genuinely care about what you’re most interested in learning, particularly since the disciplines are so different. Audition for both in January.
When will I find out if I’m accepted?
The notification generally happens within 48 hours. Students are accepted, declined, or deferred. Deferred students are asked to re-audition in February when the director can see how the actor plays with other auditioners. (For example, if we’re considering you for a lover role and the other lover didn’t audition this round, we need to check chemistry between lovers during the next round of auditions.) Very few students are deferred—1 to 3 every January.