Commedia Troupe Auditions

Audition 2: Sunday, February 19th, 6 - 10pm
At the Grant Building at 1651 Old Meadow Road, Tysons Corner, VA.

Audition 3: Saturday, April 14th, 7 - 10pm
At the Grant Building at 1651 Old Meadow Road, Tysons Corner, VA.

We encourage you, if at all possible, to attend the first or second audition.

All campers, if accepted, must attend a mandatory meeting on
Sunday, May 20th, 3 - 8pm
At the Grant Building at 1651 Old Meadow Road, Tysons Corner, VA.

Please prepare a 90-second audition piece (see below for details). Come dressed in comfortable clothes. Wear contacts if you need them (if you only wear glasses, just wear those; it's not a big deal). Auditions will include improvisational games and physical work. There is an audition fee of $35 (in advance) or $40 (at the door). Bring a bag dinner; we'll have some snacks as well. For information, contact call 703-987-1712 or email us.

Questions about auditioning?

Back to Commedia Troupe

What to prepare for Commedia Audition:

Please prepare one of the following:

• A ninety-second physical comedy routine using an object. This should be performed without words, although you can certainly make sounds. You can use any object you like (bring it with you). The piece should follow this general structure: 1) you try to use the object for its intended purpose; 2) for some reason (malfunction, incompetence, accidents, etc.), this doesn't work; 3) you end up using the object for another purpose entirely.


Example 1: You enter with a broom, intending to sweep the floor. Unfortunately, there's a piece of paper lying on the floor, which is impossible for you to sweep up with the broom. You get increasingly frustrated with the broom, scold it, regret that you've scolded it and apologize to it. To make up, you make it into a dance partner and waltz off with it.


Example 2: You enter with a kite, intending to fly it. Since there is no wind, this does not work. You try running around to generate wind, but keep hurting yourself. Eventually, you realize that the kite makes a good fashion accessory and exit wearing it like a cape.


• A ninety-second story. Tell us a story from your own life, but exaggerate it to make it ridiculous. Remember, this is a performance piece, so give it some kind of build: start with the real story ("last summer, I went sailing with my brother and sister"), then begin to add details that are funny but might still be true ("none of us knew how to sail, so we ended up stuck on the lake for two days. All we had to eat was a pack of fruit roll-ups") and eventually get to the ridiculous parts ("we were finally rescued by Vikings, who would only take us back to shore if I bested their leader in a pie-eating contest.").

You can prepare either of the above options. Prepare only the piece you feel more comfortable with.