Eligibility

Membership

You must be a current member of Theatre Puget Sound or Portland Area Theatre Alliance.

Experience

You must meet one of the following requirements to make the first round of scheduling:

• 4 professional stage credits (fully staged, cannot be academic or self-produced) – OR –
• College acting degree – OR –
• Active member of Actors’ Equity Association, or an Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) – OR –
• Letter of recommendation from a local casting director or director

Cost

In Person Acting Audition: $15 application fee

In person Singing Audition: $20 application fee

Digital Submission (no inperson): $10 application fee

Location

The auditions take place in the Center Theatre, located on the first floor of the Seattle Center Armory (305 Harrison St.)

Scheduling

You will receive an email once your application has been approved. In your approval email you will find a link to access our online scheduler. Please note that slots are first come, first serve and it is in your best interest to schedule your audition date and time quickly. We cannot guarantee accommodation for scheduling conflicts.

DATES

Monday, February 26

Tuesday, February 27

Wednesday, February 28

Thursday, February 29

Times: Approximately 10am-5pm

Singing auditions: select afternoons only

Youth (Under 18): Thursday February 29th, after 3:30pm

Waitlist

The Unified General Auditions are not intended for beginning actors; it is generally not beneficial for actors until they have reached the eligibility requirements listed above. If you would still like to apply, you can be put on the waitlist. Waitlist members will be notified after initial scheduling to update on available times. If no times are available, waitlist actors’ headshots and resumes will still be given to auditors, and they will have a chance to link to a virtual audition.

Materials

You are encouraged to provide. aFull-color headshot and complete PDF resume. These are made available to all auditors in a digital format.

The Audition

Non-union actors get 2 minutes to audition, while AEA/EMC actors get 3 minutes.  You can do any number of monologues/songs within your allotted time.

If you are doing a Non-Singing audition – you will perform only a monologue in your audition. If you are doing a Singing audition you may use your time for both acting and singing.

Accompanist

If you’re singing, you will briefly meet with the accompanist immediately before your audition, on stage. The accompanist for 2024 is TBA.

Location

The auditions are held at the Center Theatre in the Seattle Center Armory, located on the Seattle Center campus.  The theater is located on the 1st floor, easily accessible from the East side of the building.

PARKING: Street and lot parking is available on all sides of the Seattle Center Campus.  The Armory is located near the center of campus, so it does not really matter which side you’re parked.  Street parking can be hard to come by, so arrive early to look for a spot.

Check-In

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition time.  Look for the Actor Check-In table in the lobby of the Center Theatre.  A volunteer will note your arrival and guide you to the warm-up rooms.

Warm-Up Rooms

A loud and quiet warm-up room is provided for actor preparation.  A TPS staff member will periodically stop by these rooms to bring actors to the “On Deck Circle.”  TPS will also give a reminder of the rules and processes so make sure you’re in one of the rooms to hear the speech!

The On Deck Circle

When your audition time is near, TPS will personally escort you to the “On Deck Circle.” Once the actor on stage has finished and left the stage, it’s your time!  Pause a moment, take a deep breath, and head into the Center Theatre.

Showtime

• Find your light (it will be marked on the floor)
• If you are singing, first meet with the accompanist to discuss your piece.
• A chair and an actor block will be available on stage.
• Greet the auditors with your full name, as well as the titles of the monologues and/or songs you will be performing. Speak clearly and let your personality shine through! If you are utilizing one of the Local Playwright provided Monologues from the TPS monologue library, please credit your piece appropriately.
• Once you’re finished, thank the audience and leave through the door marked “ACTOR EXIT”

Timer

• All auditions are timed.
  • Remember: 2 minutes for non-equity and 3 minutes for AEA/EMC.
• The clock starts the moment you “start” your first piece (if your piece does not begin with spoken text, the timer starts the moment you begin your action or music starts.)
• The Timekeeper’s job is to make sure we stay on our extremely tight schedule and to make sure that everyone is treated equitably. Therefore, the person doing this job is instructed to be rigorously strict regarding time.
• If you go over time, the Timekeeper will say “Thank You.” There is no warning system or light.
• Once time has been called: stop immediately, thank the auditors, and leave.
• If you used the chair or block, make sure to put it back where it was before your audition.

Check Out

• You’re finished. Take a deep breath and be proud of your work!
• You do not need to check out with TPS Staff.
• Make sure you have all your belongings.  Did you forget something in one of the warmup rooms? We acquire many water bottles every year.
• For your convenience an up-to-date list of auditors is available online and in the lobby of the theatre.

Post Audition

TPS does not conduct and is not affiliated with any callbacks. Each theatre has its own method and approach to casting. Some may catch up with you before you exit the auditorium, others may contact you 10 hours after your audition, still others will have you on their minds and be hoping for an opportunity to use you but not have reason to contact you for 10 months. There is no “usual” way things go.

Tips & Tricks

Audition Material

• Consider choosing your monologue from our TPS monologue library – materials written and provided by local playwrights.
• While there is no official guideline to dictate what material you must do for your audition, most actors do 2 contrasting pieces.
• There also is no rule about the order in which you present your monologues and/or songs.
• Remember your time limit! In practice, strive to make your audition at least 20 seconds under time to give yourself some leeway.

Dress and Conduct

• There is no dress code, but auditors have indicated that they expect you to dress appropriately and professionally. Elaborate costumes are not necessary – just let them see you!
• Strong language is allowed, but please note there are companies of all sensibilities in the audience. Most will not be interested in a “shocking” monologue and some may even find it distracting.

Preparation

• Preparation is essential for a good audition. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be on stage.

Stand out!

• Above all else, be bold and make strong choices. The auditors see about 100 actors a day, and the actors who are confident, friendly, and enjoying themselves always stand out.
• Relax! The auditors are rooting for you — they want to see you succeed.

Contact

shane@tpsonline.org

Location

Center Theatre at the Seattle Center Armory
305 Harrison St. (Seattle Center)

Connect

Theatre Puget Sound
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