At SoL Theatre, your audition counts!

Audition Policy: We at SoL Theatre believe in maximizing your child's growth by carefully placing them in each role. We have set cast limits for our productions, to ensure your child more stage time and attention, (the cast limit will vary depending upon the production). Therefore, your child must audition in order to participate, and casting will be based upon auditions.

During auditions at SoL Theatre, we create a comfortable,  nurturing environment for your child to illustrate his/her best talents. Much like a professional audition, we audition your child one at a time, so that our experienced staff can thoroughly gauge the best role suited for your child’s skills. Each audition lasts approximately 5-10 minutes and consists of your child performing their selected piece, as well as being interviewed by our staff so that we can get to know your child a bit. We realize auditions can be a scary, nerve wracking experience, so our goal is to make it fun, relaxed and easy!

What We Look For: In each audition we are looking for the following:

Confidence: Smile, have fun! Be brave! Be bold!
Flexibility: Do you take direction well? Are you willing to take risks and can you follow instruction? 
Positive attitude: Are you a team player?
Stage Presence: We can't cast you in a leading role unless you can speak (and sing) LOUD and clear, move with confidence on stage, and commit to your character.

Audition Preparation - MUSICAL

Each child should prepare a 30 second music selection that is similar to the style of music from the show. They SHOULD bring a digital device with their song (as long as it is the Karaoke version, or accompaniment, with no words) cued up and ready to go. Check with us to see if there will also be a music director available, in which case they may also bring sheet music with their song selection marked on the page.

Opt for a song that demonstrates your child’s vocal range, projection (volume), and character voice. If your youngster has no prior singing experience, choose a song that suits his/her primary character choice. Experience isn’t required! Although it is not required, we do encourage each child to research the show they are auditioning for to be familiar with the material, and to gain a better grasp of the role(s) they would like to play. Remember, the better prepared your child is for the audition, the more accurately our staff can cast them.

Callbacks - MUSICAL

We will also hold "Callbacks". At Callbacks, the entire group will learn a song and/or short dance from the show, as well as group scene work or "Cold Readings". It is important to see and hear groups together to get a picture of what the show will look and sound like. It's about finding the right chemistry for a show, and an important part of the casting process.

Please ensure that you are dressed for movement.

No crocs, flip flops, dresses or skirts. You must be able to move freely, as our Choreographer assists you through some movements. This gives each child a chance to show their skills in the role(s) they wish to be seen, and covers acting, singing and dancing.  

Audition Preparation - NON-MUSICAL / PLAY

Each actor should prepare a 30 second to 1 minute monologue similar to the style of the play they are auditioning for. When choosing a monologue, it is best to find one from a whole play, rather than a monologue book. If you have questions, please reach out to us, as we can steer you in the right direction! Being off-book (memorized) is highly encouraged as it helps us to see the interpretation of the words, not just recitation.

Although it is not required, we do encourage each actor to research the show they are auditioning for to be familiar with the material, and to gain a better grasp of the role(s) they would like to play. Remember, the better prepared your child is for the audition, the more we will be able to see their potential for casting!

We love nothing more than to have a very tough time casting our shows!

Callbacks - NON-MUSICAL / PLAY

You (or your child) will be notified in person at the audition or by email the night after the audition if you are required to attend callbacks. At Callbacks we will work on acting with one another, as well as group scene work or "Cold Readings". You will not necessarily be called back if the director does not need to see you again.

This gives the director the opportunity to see how different combinations of cast groupings may work together, as well as gauge the 'directability' of young actors. It's about finding the right chemistry for a show, and an important part of the casting process. Bring a positive attitude, a sense of adventure, and appropriate shoes for movement to callbacks.