Auditions
UMass Theater welcomes community members and non-major/minor Five College students to audition.
Please note that UMass Theater follows UMass COVID policy and in case of inclement weather or emergency, rehearsals and performances follow UMass closing status.
AUDITIONS for SPRING SHOWS: Many Patterns, One Cloth and Into the Woods
INTO THE WOODS
by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Directed by Rudy Ramirez
Music Direction by David Cavallin
AUDITIONS: Feb. 12, 1-6 p.m., as well as Feb. 13 and 14, 6-10 p.m.
Callbacks are scheduled for Feb. 15 and 16, 6-10 p.m.
Bromery Center for the Arts, Room 450.
Rehearsals begin February 21. There are no rehearsals over spring break.
This spring, UMass will take on one of most beloved musicals of all time, INTO THE WOODS. Our production will draw inspiration from American folk art to bring to life the world of Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and all their fellow fairy tale figures. In doing so, we hope to bring forward the idea that "if you know what you want, then you go and you find it and you get it" is exactly how you get giants in your midst, whereas realizing that "people make mistakes" and that you must "fight for their mistakes, honor their mistakes" is a way to make the next journey into the woods a little easier.
Auditioners should prepare any number of the following solos listed below. In order to be considered for a role, you must prepare the solo associated with that role (in other words, if you are interested in multiple roles, you should prepare multiple solos). You may prepare as many solos as you wish, regardless of your gender or that of the character (vocal range will be a consideration). We may ask actors to sing solos they have not prepared as well, if they are willing. No monologue preparation is necessary, and we will not be hearing actors perform any songs besides the excerpts listed below.
Character descriptions and synopses for INTO THE WOODS are readily available online, and while we know that there are many versions of this musical available to watch, we encourage you to find your own version of the character to present. Be inspired by the versions you've seen, but don't try to recreate them.
Audition Song Exerpts (click here to access the folder):
- Agony (both Princes)
- Baker's Reprise (Narrator, Baker, Mysterious Man)
- Giants in the Sky (Jack, Wolf)
- Hello Little Girl (Wolf, Jack)
- I Know Things Now (Little Red)
- Last Midnight (Witch, Jack's Mom, Cinderella's Mom)
- Steps of the Palace (Cinderella, Rapunzel, Stepsisters)
- Moments in the Woods (Baker's Wife, Cinderella's Stepmother)
MANY PATTERNS, ONE CLOTH
Directed by Professor Iya Judyie Al-Bilali, dramaturgy by Dr. Priscilla Maria Page
AUDITIONS: Feb. 13 and 14, 6-9:30 p.m.
Callbacks are Feb. 15 & 16, 6-9:30 p.m.
Bromery Center for the Arts, Room 204/203
Rehearsals start February 21, 2023, and performances run March 30, 31 and April 1, in the Curtain Theater. There will be a rehearsal on March 19, the final Sunday of spring break.
Many Patterns, One Cloth is a multi-faceted performance piece that draws its inspiration across time and place to explore how the artistic and spiritual traditions of the African Diaspora can restore balance in contemporary society. Utilizing Jazz Aesthetics, as defined by Omi Osun/Joni L. Jones and others, Professors Al-Bilali and Page are building a creative team that will meld storytelling, poetry, music, and dance in honor of the Divine Feminine.
How to Prepare: We are seeking a multiracial/multicultural ensemble for this piece that will include storytelling, music, poetry, and movement. Members of this ensemble will have skills in the following areas: improvisation, physical theater, music, movement/dance, and singing. An understanding of devised theater and an openness to collaborative process are welcome. Please come prepared with a 1-2 minute monologue that best shows us who you are. We will provide a monologue for those who do not have one.
General Casting Policies
The Department of Theater is committed to racial, cultural and individual diversity.
Casting for all department-sponsored productions is open to any student, staff, or faculty member of the Five College Consortium, any member of the community, or any invited guest artist regardless of race, ethnic origin, ability, sexual orientation or gender identification.
Equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
All Theater majors are welcomed and strongly encouraged to audition. The Department chooses plays each year with the intention of offering roles to as many majors as possible, but casting of any individual theater major student is not guaranteed.
Most casting will be determined by open auditions.
You are expected to sign up for a given audition appointment, and to arrive at the audition site well ahead of the scheduled time. Performers who arrive after their scheduled time may not be allowed to audition.
After open auditions have been completed, the director will post call back announcements. If you are called back, you are expected to initial next to your name to acknowledge the call back.
Auditioning for multiple shows
Our experience has shown that having cast members in shows with overlapping rehearsal and/or performance schedules is complicated and disruptive to both shows.
Cast members are still welcome to be in multiple shows whose rehearsal schedules do not overlap; please check with stage managers or production staff if you have questions about scheduling.
Please note: This does NOT mean that actors cannot audition for all the shows — just that they will have to consider their options and limitations wisely. Casting decisions will result in the production's exclusive service of the actor when rehearsal/performance periods overlap.
Thank you and break a leg!
