Arouet is now powered by Shunpike

You may have seen that Arouet is now powered by Shunpike. What does that mean?

In our second year, Arouet is growing and we have decided to pursue the non-profit route. Arouet is not a non-profit organization at this time. Instead, we are a Associated Program of Shunpike, which provides Arouet with Fiscal Sponsorship. What that means is that while we grow, we are under Shunpike’s 501(c)3 umbrella and we are able to accept tax-deductible donations through them. As Arouet continues to grow we will eventually pursue our own non-profit status.

It also means that we benefit from the services Shunpike offers budding arts organizations such as ours. They handle all our financials, back office, and many other services on an as-needed basis. That frees us to focus on creating theatrical pieces for Seattle audiences. We are grateful to be a part of this great organization.

Another development is that Arouet now has a board of directors. I am now Artistic Director and am joined by Everett Bowling as Development Director, Daniel Cords as Outreach Director, and J.S. Epperson as web master and resident sound designer. Michael Brunk is Arouet’s resident photographer. Not only are we already working on BBQ for the fall, we are also developing two new works and choosing an additional play for next year.

We are very excited about what’s in store and can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned!

Roy Arauz
Founder, Artistic Director
Arouet

About Shunpike

Shunpike is the 501(c)3 non-profit agency that fuels innovation in the arts by building productive partnerships, cultivating leadership and providing direct services to arts groups of all kinds. Learn more at www.shunpike.org.

Cast And Crew of The House Of Bernarda Alba

About The Author

FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA was a Spanish poet, dramatist and theatre director. Inspired by native folklore and religious customs, Lorca’s early work earned him recognition from the elite cultural community. He developed friendships with prominent Spanish artists, including the painter Salvador Dali. Lorca traveled to the United States and studied poetry at Columbia University in New York. In the early 1930s when changes in the Spanish government sparked civil war, Lorca’s writings reflected the turmoil, ultimately supporting a republic. THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA was written in 1936, the same year Lorca was assassinated. This play was to mark the start of a stylistic change for the playwright. When it was staged in 1945, THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA drew international acclaim and assured Lorca recognition as one of the most provocative writers in contemporary literature.

Cast

Kat Aldrich (The Maid)

Kat AldrichKat is an actor, teacher and director. She is the Artistic Director of the new Australian youth theatre company Riot Stage. In 2011 Kat directed Prometheus Days for the Mackay Festival of Arts, and After 3 for the Anywhere Theatre Festival. She performed in the Two Hours Traffic’s production Sh*t and The Danger Ensemble’s Hamlet Apocalypse at LaBoite. In 2008-2009 she toured throughout Europe, America and Australia as part of The Danger Ensemble, performing with internationally acclaimed singer Amanda Palmer. Previous performance credits include Sub-Con Warrior Version 2.0 (2008), Zeitgeist (2008), Dracula (2007) and Romeo and Juliet (2005-2006).


Mary Murfin Bayley (La Poncia)

Mary Bayley, SeattleMary has recently been seen as Gratiana in Revenger’s Tragedy at Greenstage, Beatrix Potter in The Tale of Jemima Canard at Annex, and Olive Worthington in Book-it Repertory Theater’s award-winning Cider House Rules. In 2008 and 2009 Mary lived in Italy where she studied Commedia Dell’ Arte with Roberto Andrioli. Her B.A. in theater is from Reed College. She is thrilled to be part of Arouet’s The House of Bernarda Alba.


Colleen Carey (Angustias)

Colleen CareyColleen is totally delighted to be working with Roy and Charles again and to be working with such a stellar cast. She studied theater at Los Angeles County School for the Arts and at the North Carolina School for the Arts. Recent credits include: All Through the Night at ArtsWest; Bigfoot with Danny Bonaduce (for the Sci-Fi Channel); The Castle with Fathom Collective @ the Satori Loft; The Gene Pool with Arouet; Edmond with Balagan and Café Nordo. All my gratitude and love to my wonderful family, David & Aidan.


Monica Chilton (Mourner)

Monica ChiltonWhen Monica first read the gripping story of The House of Bernarda Alba in her freshman theatre class at Northwestern, she never dreamed that she would act in a production of the play. Thanks to Roy for encouraging her to audition, to Charles for his directorial insights (and stupendous powers of name recall), J.J. for her patience, and a grand cast of women for being amazing!


Jennifer Davies (Mourner)

Jennifer DaviesJennifer is delighted to be participating in her first show with Arouet. She is a Washington native whose previous roles include Marge in The Whole Shebang at UPAC, Beth in Copious Love’s production of Sweet & Decent/Dark & Twisty, and Rosalind in As You Like It with Last Leaf Shakespeare in the Park.


Lorrie Fargo (Amelia)

Lorrie FargoLorrie is very excited to be diving into the wonderful words of Federico Lorca. She was last seen as Jackie Coryton in Hay Fever with Bellevue Civic and Renton Civic Theater. Other favorite roles include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing with SecondStory Rep, the Duchess in Wonderland: Alice Adventures with theater simple and half the residents of Verona in Greenstage’s Romeo and Juliet. Lorrie trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK. LtJ.


Caitlin Gilman (Mourner)

Caitlin Gilman, SeattleCaitlin Gilman is delighted to be joining this important production. Previous roles include Barbara in Run for Your Wife, and Felicity in Farndale…Christmas Carol (Renton Civic Theater), Chloe in Arcadia (SITPL), Didi in The Cat’s Meow (Redwood Theater), and Claudia in The Butler Did It (VCP). Caitlin is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, and a proud company member of Annex Theatre.


Frances Hearn (Maria Josefa)

Frances HearnFrances is thrilled to be a part of this production. Frances has an MFA from CalArts and a Master’s in Education (TESOL) from Seattle University. Some of her favorite roles have been Anna from Burn This, Irena from The Seagull, The Lover in An Unseen Energy Swallows Space, and the Lady in the Mirror from Wounds to the Face. She also loved working on the Vagina Monologues with Tyrone Brown at Stone Soup. She has just recently performed in a short film by TJ Mino – A Penny Earned, which showed at Sundance 2012. Last year she performed in a feature at SIFF titled, Marrow by Matt Wilkins.


Margaretta Lantz (Mourner)

Margaretta LantzMargaretta has most recently appeared as Summer, the beautiful bridezilla in ‘Till Death with the Murder Mystery Company. Favorite stage roles include Shitara the Jungle Woman in Jungle Woman of the Jungle (Unexpected Productions), Tiresias in Oedipus (Akropolis Performance Lab), Mata Hari in The True Life Fiction of Mata Hari (Cyberact Theatre, Paris). She has also appeared at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, the Penthouse Theatre, and at Le Maison Bleu with the Bilingual Acting Workshop in Paris.


Ruth McRee (Bernarda Alba)

Ruth McReeRuth is delighted to be working with Arouet. She was recently seen as Mme. Pernelle in Taproot Theatre’s production of Moliere’s Tartuffe. She has worked professionally in regional theatres in the east, and since 1982, in many Seattle area theatres. She works frequently with Theatre 9/12, playing Mrs. Toothe in Albee’s Everyrthing in the Garden and the older Medea in Barbara Lindsay’s Jason and Medea—a Love Story. In 1986, she helped found PLAYWORKS for which she is a teaching artist. She also performs for PLAYWORKS touring company in A. Miller’s I Can’t Remember Anything and Vesuvius at Home – which she co authored with Paul O’Connell.


Sarah Milici (Adela)

Sarah Milici, SeattleSarah is an honors graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Most recently, she was seen as “The Sea Goddess” in the mythological aerial dance piece Tarhun by The Cabiri. She has performed with Theatre 9/12, the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, George Street Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, and many other companies. This performance is dedicated to Sarah’s wonderful mother who introduced her daughter to Lorca’s writing many years ago.


Alecha Newbern (Prudencia)

Alecha NewbernAs a shy little girl in the den of our home I operated my own private theater. With continuous runs to the LP sound track version of The Sound of Music and Bye Bye Birdie. It took a half century for me to step out of the den and into the world of the art of acting, playing all of the parts.

I have had excellent training, usually being the oldest in the class starting at the Taproot Theatre, on to learning so much from David Van Maren, Pat French, Elizabeth Pelham, to acting coach John Jacobson and then on to The Circle in the Square Theatre Summer Program in New York City. All of this along with being a part of the Topo Swope Talent team I am now on the journey of auditioning and seeking theatre and film opportunities. I am extremely honored to be a part of The House of Bernarda Alba cast and being directed by Charles Waxberg and Roy Arauz.

Madeline Nutting (Mourner)

Madeline NuttingMadeline is honored to be joining Arouet for the first time in The House of Bernarda Alba. A recent graduate of the University of Idaho Moscow’s Fine Arts program in performance, Madeline was most recently seen with Seattle Opera as an ensemble actor in Attila after her Seattle debut with Ghostlight Theatricals’ LAPD SMU late-night performance. She has also worked backstage as Ghostlight’s properties designer for Freakstorm and the upcoming Last Days of Judas Escariot.


Devin Rodger (Magdalena)

Devin grew up in New York but has been rattling around Seattle for the last decade. Devin has been in several films including the award winning Three Actresses Walked into a Bathroom, a fantastic interpretation of Hamlet (&@ Hamlet), and Things Left Behind — a short film set in the Mesolithic middle Stone Age period. Devin has worked with local theatre companies such as Annex, Gesamtkunstwerk! and Artattack. She so very grateful for the honor of working with this cast and crew as well as to have the opportunity to work on this gorgeous, painful play. Thank you for coming! (Terquazz, terquazz terquazz.)


Gina Marie Russell (Martirio)

Gina RussellGina is excited to be making her Arouet debut! Most recently she played Hecuba in quiet’s Trojan Women and was part of Annex’s generative ensemble in c. 1993. Last summer she flit about parks as Ariel in GreenStage’s Tempest and spent the winter belting her face off as Lucy Brown with Seattle Shakes in Threepenny Opera. Favorite shows include Annex’s Money Changes Everything (Candy), GreenStage’s As You Like It (Audrey), Emerald City Scene’s Sister Cities (Carolina), Rough Play’s King Lear (Regan), and Into The Woods (The Witch) and The Who’s Tommy (Acid Queen) at UW.


Natalie Schmidt (Beggar Woman)

Natalie Schmidt, SeattleNatalie is thrilled to be making her Seattle theatre debut at Arouet! Originally from Tempe, Arizona, she holds a B.A. Theatre from Arizona State University and has also studied at Canada’s National Voice Intensive. Past credits include The Mousetrap (Hale Centre Theatre), The Glass Menagerie / Colección de cristal (Teatro (D)e), Stories from the Conquest of the Kingdom of New Mexico (Firebird), Mourning Becomes Electra (Arizona State University), and Camino Real (Arizona State University).


Production Team

Charles Waxberg (Director)

Charles Waxberg, Theatre 9/12, SeattleCharles is a director, author and award winning playwright. Inspired by the New York theatre scene surrounding him since childhood, Waxberg’s early career earned him recognition as an educator at Carnegie-Mellon University, Instructor and Conservatory Director for the Roundabout Theatre Conservatory, a Script Analyst and Program Director for The Stella Adler Conservatory and an occasional director at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. At the request of Adler, Waxberg relocated to Los Angeles where he not only continued teaching at her Los Angeles Academy, but also became the founding Artistic Director for the UNITAS Theatre Company. Leaving the world of television and film to refocus on theatre, Waxberg relocated to Seattle where he became the founding Artistic Director of Seattle’s acclaimed Balagan theatre. He is currently the founding Artistic Director of Theatre 9/12, where he sometimes directs. His book, The Actor’s Script–Script Analysis for Performers was published by Heinemann Books in 1998 and is currently in its 13th printing.


Roy Arauz (Producer and assistant director)

Roy trained as a modern dancer in Costa Rica. Upon moving to the U.S., his dance training led to acting, choreography, and stage management, ultimately leading to directing and producing. He choreographed Female Hitchhikers for Consenting Adults Theatre Company in Washington DC, earning a Helen Hayes Award Nomination. In the last ten years, he has worked in various capacities at ArtsWest, Balagan Theatre, The Driftwood Players, Microsoft Theatre Troupe, Redwood Theatre, SecondStory Repertory, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre, and Studio East. He started Arouet last year to produce and direct works he is passionate about, starting with Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and The Gene Pool.


Jordan Johanson (Stage Manager)

Jordan has Stage Managed and Assistant Stage Managed several shows for EDCC, Driftwood Players, Village Theater (Kidstage) and Seattle Musical Theater. Some of her favorites are The Laramie Project, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, All My Sons, Barefoot in the Park, Jungle Book, Annie Get Your Gun, Love, Sex and I.R.S. Jordan would like to thank the company of Arouet, for letting her do another production with them.


Michael Brunk (Photographer)

Michael Brunk, NWLens.comMichael is photojournalist with over 20 years experience behind a camera. He combines his love of the stage with his passion for photography by shooting stills for a number of local theater companies. Michael is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers. You can enjoy more of his photography on his website at http://nwlens.com/


Marissa Chargualaf (Graphic Design)

A transplant of Sacramento, CA, Marissa made a beeline for Seattle in 2001 to pursue her BFA in Graphic Design. Although working professionally as a graphic designer since 2004, her involvement promoting local theater through poster and logo design dates back to the late ’90s with the productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Romeo & Juliet. She is delighted to work with Arouet and the opportunity to return to the wonderful world of theater.


Evan Crockett (Original Music)

Evan CrockettEvan is a Seattle based Actor/Musician, excited to graduate from Cornish College of the Arts in Spring 2012! He was recently seen in Prairie Nocturne at Book-It Repertory playing bass, mandolin, and guitar. He can currently be seen in ReAct theatre’s A Language Of Their Own performing his own original musical score. He plays bass/backup vocals for Loyal Kites, and more information can be found at reverbnation.com/loyalkites


John Epperson (Sound Design)

John Epperson, SeattleJohn is a recording artist. His work appears on many albums, compilations and DVDs as well as television, film and video games. When not making weird noises with synthesizers, Epperson designs sound for theatre. His favorite show was Redwood Theatre’s Thunderbolts and Dunderheads because he got to play in surround sound. He has previously worked with Arouet, ArtsWest, Redwood Theatre and Theatre 9/12. John has a website.


Keith A. Gehrig (Lighting Design)

Keith A. GehrigKeith is a 20 year veteran of theater in the Puget Sound area. He has designed lighting for Evergreen Theatre, Civic Light Opera (now Seattle Musical Theatre), Driftwood Players, Tacoma Little Theater, Northwest Savoyards, Seattle Comic Opera, and Gaydar Productions. Also a scenic designer, master electrician, actor and playwright, his day job is running the front office for The Driftwood Players in Edmonds. When not in a theater, he spends his time with his two “guys”, Chazz and Dave.


Kim Rosin
 (Set Design)

Kim Rosin, Set Designer, VancouverKim’s path to set design has meandered through several creative jobs, working at Sotheby’s in London for several years and then at David Hicks and John Stefanidis, to name a few stops which provided valuable influences. She has also designed her own fabrics and line of products, manufactured locally under the label: kimthings. She has a degree in Fine Art and Art History from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa and studied Textile Design at Central St Martin’s College of Art in London.

Earlier this year she designed and painted the sets for Timepieces (Ethnic Cultural Centre). She has also designed and painted sets for Seattle productions of Snakes and Ladders (Stone Soup Theatre), The Torch Bearers (Richard Hugo House), Once in a Lifetime (The Phoenix Theatre) and Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Richard Hugo House).


Leah Pope (Dramaturgy)

Leah is a recent graduate from American University in Literature and Theatre Arts. Her recent projects include co-constructing See Something/Say Something, a docudrama about Washington, DC viewed through the public transportation system, in 2011; lighting design for Macbeth for Impossible Theater Company in 2011; and directing her own Macbeth for American University Players in 2010. Leah currently works in family engagement for District of Columbia Public Schools and will be starting a PhD program in English literary studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison this fall.


Kristina Hestenes Stimson (Costuming)

Kristina recently provided Set Design, Costuming, and Props for Arouet’s production of Frankie and Johnny. In film, she did Set Decoration and Production Design for Sister Billie’s Sinner Hour, which won best costuming in the 2010 48-Hour Film Festival; and she was the Production Designer for the film short Three Mothers. She is a licensed architect and studied fine art in France at the L’Ecole Des Beaux-Arts.

Bernarda Alba Supporters

The House of Bernarda Alba will be possible thanks to those that backed the show on Kickstarter. This page will list everyone that contributed. Listed in the order received, with the newest donors at the top. Anonymous donors chose *No Reward* or have asked us not to mention them publicly.

Bernarda Alba Supporters

Sandra Huber
Tracy Black at www.blackcapemarketing.com
James & Amy Wyatt
Judy Guilfoyle
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bruce Erickson
Jake
Caitlin Gilman
Anonymous
Joshua Johnson
Anonymous
Jay
Charles Eliot
Arthur Anderson
Persephone
Anonymous
Joshua Brian Bushman
Sharon Lynch
Anonymous
Janet Pope
Anonymous
Patricia Arauz
Anonymous
Anonymous
Everett Bowling
Karen Engelbrecht
Anonymous
Anonymous
L.T. Liebetrau
Christine Pomeroy
Colleen Carey
Anonymous
Anonymous
Michael B
Erika Amato at www.erikaamato.com
Anonymous
Tiffany Mak
Kim Maguire
Stephanie
John Kelleher
Michael Xenakis
Roxanne De Vito
Anonymous
Steven Contreras
Anonymous
Anonymous
Julie Carlos
Amanda Falcone
Keith McGregor at www.ravenwriters.com
Anonymous
Daniel Tarker
J.S. Epperson at http://higher-music.com
Machelle Allman
Anonymous

Being Thankful

Ok, this is a bit late for Thanksgiving, yet I believe one should be thankful all the time. I also believe in being thankful for the past as much as for what the future has yet to bring. Inspired by The Producer’s Perspective post 7 Theater things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving, here are six of mine:

  1. The Gene Pool. A show on the bucket list, a dream cast, and mostly positive reviews made this an excellent way to kick-off Arouet’s first year.
  2. ACT, A Contemporary Theatre. Their support to the local theatre community as not only producers of locally cast professional shows, but as an incubator for smaller companies and independent artists has turned them into a model other regional companies across the country are following.
  3. The Economy. As odd as it might sound, I believe the current economic climate has forced us to reevaluate how we do theater and to become more creative with less financial resources. People will go out to the theatre, they are just more particular about what they go to see.
  4. Seattle Theatre: What’s Next. Brought together by the Intiman implosion and the economy, Seattle theatre artists have come together to meet, discuss, and come up with an action plan on what we need to do as a community.
  5. Friendly Theatre Venues. Seattle is full of them, and for that I am grateful. I loved working with the excellent folks at Annex Theatre so much that I raved about them earlier this year, and so far dealing with Ghostlight Theatricals/The Ballard Underground has been quite easy. They are not just a venue to rent, they make you feel like part of the bigger picture.
  6. Opportunities Yet to Come. The year ahead is full of possibilities and new opportunities. Arouet is producing it’s most ambitious project in The House of Bernarda Alba followed by the premiere production of a new play BBQ, personally I am involved in various capacities in four different theatre companies, and I don’t know yet what other directing gigs could come my way. It’s going to be an eventful one.

What’s Next

After reassessing the play originally planned for the spring of 2012, it was decided to move up the production originally planned for the spring of 2013.

The House of Bernarda Alba, by Federico García Lorca, directed by Charles Waxberg, will play at The Ballard Underground from May 4 through the 19th, 2012. Auditions will take place in late February, 2012.

Lorca’s final masterpiece, The House of Bernarda Alba, centers on Bernarda as she tyrannically rules over her house and five daughters, cruelly crushing their hopes and needs. The play explores themes of suppressed sexuality, passion, and the oppression of women.

The idea that love will find a way, regardless of the restrictions put upon it, is timeless. Having seen the play several times and two magnificent dance productions years ago in Costa Rica, and seeing that it hasn’t been produced, to my knowledge, in the Seattle area for a very long time made it a natural choice for me. The next decision was who would direct? As much appreciation as I have for the play, I knew it needed the touch of a master. I am ecstatic that Charles Waxberg, my friend and mentor, agreed to direct with me as his assistant.

So now on to finalize the license agreement, raise some money, and put on a show!

Making a Change

Sometimes you’ve got to look at what you’ve got with a critical eye and make a tough decision.

I have been intrigued by La Segua since I was a growing up in Costa Rica. I had always been drawn to the folk tale, which translated into a fascination with the play. I was too young to see the original – and only – production, and for whatever reason I didn’t get around to seeing the movie. My infatuation grew with time, and it became one of my goals to share this Costarican tale with American audiences. There is no English translation of La Segua, so I set out to translate the play myself.

The translation process brought me closer to the play than ever, and I realized that a direct translation would not work for the current sensibilities of an American audience. The amount of work and adaptation that needs to go into it extends beyond the translation. While I was mindful of the legacy of don Alberto Cañas and respectful of his vision, the truth is that the play has to be marketable and accessible. When I put it on stage, I want it to be something I believe in. If it’s a flop it’s a flop, and so be it. I don’t want to just throw it out there because I want to do it, and not have a show I feel is solid and ready to be seen.

For now, La Segua is on hiatus. I will continue to develop the script, finding a playwright to help me get it just right. There will be a reading of the current play as it is to give us an idea of what we have. It is different for me when I see to a play rather than just read it. Keep your eyes open for the reading of La Segua sometime in the spring of 2012, I would love your feedback.

In it’s place will be another one of the plays that shaped my appreciation for theatre as a youth. We have a space, we have a play, and we have a director. Stay tuned, there will be full announcement next week.

Theater Superstitions

I’ve always been intrigued by theater superstitions. I have a few of my own, yet I had never bothered to investigate them. A few weeks ago, though, theatre superstitions came up in conversation, so we decided to look them up and came across an article on the top 10 theater superstitions. It was quite interesting to see the origins of most of the superstitions, many of which are derived from very pragmatic traditions.

Some superstitions I had never heard of (Blue? Three?), and it was nice to see that at least one of the superstitions was debunked by my favorite show (mirrors.)

Even though I am not usually a superstitious person, when it comes to theater, there are certain habits that I tend to observe almost obsessively:

Greeting the Public in Costume

Meeting the audience while in costume is a big no-no for me. I don’t remember where I first got that ingrained in my system, but I do not allow actors working on a show of mine to meet the audience after the show while wearing their stage costume.

Crossing the Proscenium Before and After a Show

For me it’s like that fourth wall that must remain. I think I got this one at the same time as the costume one. After a show, actors should always use either a stage door or a side door, and not cross through the stage to meet the audience. Granted, I understand there are plenty of instances when this is impossible due to the layout of the space. It still makes me squirm.

Using Real Money

I understand this has its origin in safety: it would be tempting for thieves to break in and steal the real money. Also, for legal reasons, I make sure that the money used on-stage is clearly fake by making it the wrong size and putting watermarks on it.

What are your theater superstitions?

The Other Side of the Table: Further Notes on Auditions and Call-backs

Last time I posted some straight-forward suggestions for a successful audition. This time, it’s a little more personal. My friend and colleague Lisa Thiroux posted about some gripes that she had as a director, so I know that I’m not the only director that finds some behaviors irritating. Here’s are some things that actors do that make me crazy:

Know What (And For Whom) You Are Auditioning

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before auditions, and definitely before callbacks (at least for a show I’m involved in):

  • Are you willing to make the commute to the rehearsal and/or performance location?
  • Is the pay enough?
  • Can you make the rehearsal/performance schedule?
  • Are you a package deal with your spouse/child/sibling/friend?
  • Will you accept a role if it is offered to you?

Are you willing to make the commute to the rehearsal and performance location?

Find out where rehearsals and performances take place. A lot of theatres hold rehearsals in locations other than the performance space. Will parking be an issue? Is it bus accessible? Don’t wait until you’ve been cast to realize that 45 minute commute is going to be too much.

Is the pay enough?

Asking/expecting to be paid for a gig is normal. Unfortunately, not everyone can pay and those who do don’t always pay a living wage. If pay could be an issue, clarify this before the callback. I respect and am ok with actor who turns down an audition invitation or callback because they can’t afford to the compensation for the commitment involved; I have less tolerance for someone who comes to callbacks, gets cast, and then tells me that the part is too small or the commute too long to do for the compensation offered. If I’m told early and I am able to, I am more likely to negotiate something.

Can you make the rehearsal/performance schedule?

Hopefully you will be given a general idea when rehearsals will be held during auditions, I know I do this for productions I direct and/or produce. Take a good look at the schedule and provide any and all conflicts to the best of your knowledge at the callback. Is rehearsal scheduled during a holiday weekend? A vacation? Rehearsals or performances for another show? Being upfront about conflicts can save, and solve, many headaches later.

For smaller theaters without understudies or stand-bys, a performance conflict is most likely a deal breaker. However, something can be worked out if the interest is there, as I’ve known of shows that have double-cast roles because they really wanted to work with a specific actor.

Are you a package deal with your spouse/child/sibling/friend?

Be upfront if your spouse/child/sibling/friend is also auditioning, and whether taking a part depends on them getting cast as well. Sometimes it goes one way but not the other, so please always make that clear. (for example, a child can get cast without the parent but the parent will not take the part without the child.)

Will you accept a role if it is offered to you?

I know, it seems the “right” thing to do is to say yes when asked if you’ll accept any role. Wrong. Casting every role is a painstaking process. If you get cast in a role you will not accept, you have just unnecessarily added more effort to the casting process than was needed. If you are auditioning for a specific role, be clear about that. If you will not accept ensemble, let us know so we don’t consider you for it.

Are you auditioning/waiting to hear from another show?

This has been a sore point with me for a long time. This might be a personal preference, but if you’re auditioning for/waiting to hear from another show, let me know from the beginning. If I really want to work with you we can negotiate something. I can knowingly cast you and be willing to wait the extra time I need to know how the other show comes up and have a back-up prepared, we can come to some other agreement, or both decide this is just not the right time. The only thing worse than offering someone a role and hearing back they’re waiting to hear on another role before fully accepting is to have someone quit after they’ve been cast because they got another gig I had not been informed about. I fully understand if I am not paying and an actor gets offered a paying gig or a role dream role, and I am willing to take that risk as long as I know up front.

One final note regarding callbacks. I understand and appreciate that sometimes actors audition as an exercise, especially in smaller theatres. In a strange way, I am ok with that. Please, if you do not intend to accept a role, do not attend the callback. Personally, I find that attending a callback and going as far as accepting a role only to decline it because you got another role you wanted more is unprofessional.

So what does all this boil down to? Be honest on your audition form. Don’t say something because you think it’s what I want to hear or keep information from me because you’re afraid you won’t get cast. In the long run, at least with me, being honest and upfront is the best bet.

The Other Side of the Table: Audition Etiquette

A few years ago I ran into Ken Davenport’s 10 Audition Tips for Actors. What jumped at me was that his notes to Broadway and Off-Broadway actors applied to actors of community and regional theatre as well, and it inspired me to write my own audition tips for actors that I relate to.

I originally wrote this when I was first started directing. A couple of years have gone by now, and so have many more auditions. I have spoken to others in the industry, and figured it was time for me to revise my thoughts and repost. These are not acting tips, simply observations and suggestions on how to arrive at the audition prepared and, more importantly, how to leave a good first impression.

Come Prepared

Always bring a resume and a current headshot. For newcomers, have someone take a snapshot and print it on regular ol’ paper. Make sure that you look like your photo; when casting we see 12 to 15 people an hour and if you don’t look like yourself it will be more difficult for the casting team to remember you afterwards. We also take note when your photo is obviously several years old.

If you are auditioning for a musical, bring sheet music in the right key and make sure that it is properly marked-up for the accompanist.

Pay attention to specific details in the audition notice. When the notice asks for a one-minute monologue, time it when you practice, we take note when you go over your time. The same goes for the music: prepare the length requested, and make sure that your selection showcases your best voice.

Check your calendar and bring your scheduling conflicts to the audition. It’s best to give the auditors an idea from the beginning whether they can work around your schedule or not.

Do Some Research

Is this a known play that has been staged before? What is it about? Is there a part in this show for you? Take it upon yourself to know something about the play before you audition, and prepare appropriate materials. If you are auditioning for a family-friendly musical, an audition piece filled with expletives is simply not appropriate.

Even if it is a cold reading, it is not okay to be clueless. I am always surprised to see how many people show up at an audition without any idea what the show they’re auditioning for is about, and whether or not there is a part in it for them. If unsure, ask.

Keep Your Appointment

If you make an appointment and for whatever reason you can’t keep it, call or email. Your time could have been used by someone else, or the auditors could have planned for a break. Do call if you are running late—hopefully you’ve been given a phone number by the stage manager.

Dress Appropriately

This is a job interview, after all. Please don’t look like you just rolled out of bed or are going out to a club afterward. It can be distracting and take away from your audition.

Establish the Reputation You Want

Word gets around. People talk. The theatre community is quite small and you never know where you’re going to run into the same crew again. Assume that everyone you meet at the audition, starting with the person that greets you, will have an opinion.

If you are timely, prepared, organized, and courteous, you might not be right for the part today, but you will establish a successful impression that will follow you to future auditions.

Why am I blogging, anyway?

In the past few years, I have been doing a lot of new things, usually with the inspiration of others. I have found blogs very helpful to see what others have done. I would like to document what I go through as a producer, budding director, and performance artist. I appreciate reading what others have done, and I hope that I can provide some insight into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting shows together, as well as my observations and opinions of theater, and the arts in general.

During production time, the Arouet blog will focus on the details of upcoming productions, giving a voice to those working behind the scenes. Articles by the designers will give you glimpse into their process, and since there are as many processes as there are designers, each production should bring an insightful collection of stories. During our first two productions, we had articles by set designers, sound designers, and even an actor.  It will also be where I keep you abreast of upcoming productions.

In the downtime, it will be a place where I write about theater; a place where I will voice my observations, and some opinions, mostly on directing and producing; and on occasion you will see a guest writer. Even though the topic may stray a bit, it shall remain within the realm of theater.

I would like to hear your opinions as well, whether you agree or disagree with me. The world is much more interesting when we can discuss topics with those that don’t fully agree with us.