By Zach Dulli, The Scene
Audition days. For high school theatre teachers, it’s part thrill, part chaos, and part existential crisis. Here’s the good news: with a bit of planning, a splash of patience, and some problem-solving know-how, you can turn auditions into a process that’s not only smooth but inspiring. This is your chance to nurture young talent, create excitement, and lay the foundation for a production that’s as rewarding for your students as it is for you.
The Power of Preparation
Before a single monologue is performed or a single jazz square attempted, the key to a successful audition is preparation. And no, not just the students’ preparation—yours.
- Pick the Right Materials: If you’re staging Into the Woods, don’t expect students to grasp Sondheim’s nuance cold turkey. Choose audition materials that match the level of your performers. A scene from the show works well, but keep it short and specific. For musicals, provide sheet music in a manageable key. A prepared actor is a confident actor.
- Communicate Expectations: Clear, concise audition notices are your friend. Include everything: dates, times, character descriptions, and audition requirements. Bonus points for a “Frequently Asked Questions” section—because someone will ask, “Can I sing a song from a different show?”
- Plan Like a Director, Think Like a Stage Manager: Keep your audition process organized. Assign time slots or group sessions to avoid chaos in the hallway. Have a sign-in sheet and a clipboard-wielding assistant who knows how to wrangle teenagers.
Creating a Safe Space: Confidence Is Key
Auditions can feel like the Hunger Games to your students. Your job? Be their Effie Trinket—minus the Capitol cruelty.
- Start with Warm-Ups: A quick group warm-up is a game-changer. It breaks the ice, eases nerves, and gets their creative juices flowing. Whether it’s a vocal exercise or a goofy theater game, it helps students feel like they’re part of something bigger.
- Be Encouraging, Not Overwhelming: When giving feedback, focus on the positives. “That was a great choice!” lands better than “Why did you deliver that line like a robot?” Your goal is to inspire growth, not fear.
- Teach how to Enjoy the Audition Process: Many actors don’t have a good sense of how they did at an audition. Other times, casting comes down to factors your performers can’t control. Communicate with your students that you want to see them learn to enjoy the audition process. If you ask 100 successful actors, 99 will tell you they began to have success when they began to enjoy auditioning. If there was one secret to the audition process, it’s this.
Finding the Gems: Assessing Talent with an Open Mind
Now comes the hard part: deciding who gets to don the lead role’s costume and who plays Tree #4. Here’s how to approach it:
- Look for Potential, Not Perfection: That shy sophomore may not blow you away in their cold read, but they might be a powerhouse with the right direction. Trust your gut and imagine what each student could grow into during rehearsals.
- Use Callbacks Wisely: Callbacks aren’t just for double-checking. Use them to test the chemistry between actors, try different line deliveries, and see who can handle direction on the fly. It’s less about “who sang the highest note” and more about “who works well in the ensemble.”
- Take Notes, Lots of Notes: By the end of auditions, your brain will be a swirl of faces, voices, and forgotten lyrics. Write everything down—note who impressed and surprised you and who might shine in a different role than expected.
Building a Community: The Cast List Reveal
Ah, the cast list—the moment of triumph and heartbreak. How you handle it can set the tone for your entire production.
- Be Transparent: Explain your casting decisions in broad terms. For example: “We focused on pairing actors with great chemistry in callbacks.” It shows you put thought into your choices and helps soften the blow for those who didn’t make it.
- Celebrate the Ensemble: It’s easy for students to equate “lead role” with “best actor,” but remind them that theater is a team sport. Every role matters, from the ingénue to the guy holding the fog machine.
- Offer Feedback: For students who want it, provide constructive feedback on their audition. It shows you care about their growth, not just their placement.
The Encore: Keep the Magic Alive
Auditions are just the beginning. Use this experience to set the tone for a production filled with growth, creativity, and (hopefully) fewer meltdowns than last year. Encourage your students to take risks, support one another, and remember why they fell in love with theater in the first place.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the standing ovations or the perfect pitch. It’s about teaching your students that their voices, stories, and efforts matter. And that, my fellow directors, is what makes this chaotic, beautiful process worth it.
Break a leg!
