Auditions

The next auditions are for How to Become a Pirate in February. Join our email list and be the first to know about auditions! To subscribe to our email list send an (empty) message to listserver-subscribe@msyt.org.

The Main Street Youth Theatre's goal is to provide a professional theatrical experience for its students, performers and audience that attend our shows.  Interested performers must demonstrate talent and a serious desire to participate in rehearsals and performances.

What to expect:
Although each audition may have special requirements, typically you should:
* be prepared to sing 16 bars of music.  If you wish to utilize our accompanist, please bring sheet music in your key.  Or, if you prefer, you may sing a cappella.  You may not sing to a CD or any other pre-recorded music.
* perform a 60-second monologue (must be memorized), and
* dance (you will usually be taught a short dance combination)

What to wear:
* comfortable clothes to move freely in, and
* shoes you can dance in.  No heels, flip flops, boots or bare feet will be allowed on the stage.

Fees:  All shows will include a costume/production fee (usually around $125-$150), script deposit and actor supply contribution (water bottles, etc).  Students will be required to have their own makeup kit as well as shoes suitable for the specific performance (ballet shoes, jazz, tap, character, etc).

Parental Involvement:  Parents of youth actors are required to volunteer at least one show in the green room and at least one show ushering, working concessions or the box office.  We are also always in need of assistance with props, sets, costumes, programs and kid-wrangling.  Depending upon the complexity of your child's costume and makeup, your assistance may be required to help prep your child pre-show (particularly if the child is under the age of 8).

VERY IMPORTANT Information and Tips Regarding Auditions:

Like a sport, auditioning for a show is a competitive process.  Meaning, just like other theatres, we choose the best and most qualified performers to cast in our shows.   We are constantly seeking out new talent and it is our goal to continually bring new faces to our stage.  However, it is important to emphasize that actors must demonstrate strong skills and confidence in an audition. 

Sometimes we get asked..."Why does it always seem that you cast the same kids?" - This goes back to the first bullet point.  The kids you see on the stage all actively pursue some sort of training. Many take intensive dance classes, receive vocal training and get acting coaching.  They do these things to give themselves a competitive edge when auditioning.  For example, would you expect to make the varsity volleyball team if you had only watched games and never actually practiced or played? 

We look for singers, dancers and actors.  If an individual has all three talents (a triple threat), oftentimes they will have a distinct advantage over others auditioning.  If you know you have a weaker area, or do not get into a show you audition for, PLEASE work on honing those weaker skills.  If you have a question about what you should be working on, just ask and we would be happy to give you some feedback and guidance.  We hold classes at MSYT, as well as have a network of acting and vocal coaches that we can refer you to.  Sometimes it takes several tries before you are cast in a show. Don't give up.  In the meantime, why not learn more about the theatre by volunteering to work back stage or run a follow spot?  We'll train you!

Memorize your monologue - and really, really practice it.  Choose a song that best reflects your skills.  And, when you get onto our stage, show us what you can do.  We realize that you are nervous, but outgoing actors with charisma on the stage will get cast long before those who are reserved and quiet.

Have fun!  Go into your audition and have enjoy the process. We are all human, we all get nervous and we all make mistakes. Just do your best and please know, we are glad you are there!