Each year Theatre Arts presents ~ 25 productions with roles for 200+ actors.
Most of these roles are open to everyone.
The dates listed below indicate the entire audition process (auditions, callbacks and casting). Everyone must sign up for an individual audition time.
2012/13 Audition Schedule
Auditions for Fall Productions
August 22–26, 2012
Auditions for Spring Productions
November 11–16, 2012
Auditions for 2013 Iowa Summer Rep
February 23–24, 2013
Auditions for 2013 New Play Festival
March 11–15, 2013
All auditions are located in Theatre B of the Theatre Building
Casting Policy
Auditions for Theatre Arts productions are open to everyone. For academic considerations, priority is given to theatre majors first, and then all other students of the University of Iowa. Members of the greater Iowa City community are also strongly encouraged to audition. There are many excellent roles available throughout the year and many non-majors and actors from the surrounding community are cast each season. Occasionally, professional guest actors will also be employed.
"Non-traditional" casting is the norm for all directors in all productions, except those in which race, gender, handicap, or age is the explicit issue. Casting is "non-traditional" when all roles in a script are open to casting without bias in terms of race, gender, disability or age, so long as the actor can fulfill the artistic requirements of the role. The director of each production has full authority over, and responsibility for, casting. The only exceptions occur: 1. when casting would conflict with another production's performance or rehearsal time or, 2. when students, facing academic difficulty or probation, are assumed to need extra time to improve their standing. In both cases, the final arbitrator are the Director of Theatre and Head of Acting.
What to Prepare
A 3-minute time period is allotted for each audition. You should sign up in advance. Please prepare 1-2 monologues. You do not need to sing during the general auditions, but a CD player will be available if you wish to perform a song (You may also sing a cappella.). Total audition time must not exceed 3 minutes. You will be timed and asked to stop if this time limit is exceeded. This procedure helps keep appointments on schedule for everyone.
Where
Auditions are held in Theatre B, located in the Theatre Building along North Riverside Drive. Please enter through the southeast doors into the glass-windowed lobby along the river.
How
All auditions are scheduled by signing up for a time in advance. To sign up for an audition time, visit the Audition section of the Callboard. Please sign up as soon as possible, as slots fill up quickly. There are limited slots for people to walk up on the day of auditions, but those are on a first come basis.
Audition Procedure
Prior to auditions, visit the Actor Bank to create your audition profile (in lieu of a traditional resume and headshot). Upload a photo of yourself (no larger than 5 MB). You will also be asked to list your most recent theatre experience. If you wish, you may upload a pdf of your own resume instead of completing the online form.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early for your audition; if you do not arrive 30 minutes prior to your timeslot, you will forfeit your reservation.
Your audition, consisting of two monologues and an optional song, should not exceed the three-minute limit. Your preparation should include timing your audition material to make sure it is the proper length. The auditions will be viewed by acting/directing faculty, season directors, members of directing classes and members of the Playwrights' workshop who are casting projects.
Callbacks and casting notifications are posted on the Callboard.