How Auditions Work at SoL!

At Sol Theatre, we believe auditions should be an exciting part of the theatre-making process…not a barrier to participating.

School-Year Productions

For our year-round Education productions, students register to audition first, and everyone who auditions is invited to be part of the production; tuition is paid after casting.

Auditioners are welcome to bring any monologue and/or song selection!

Summer Camp Productions

For our Summer Camp productions, every student who registers and pays tuition is guaranteed a role, with auditions taking place as part of the camp experience.

Campers are given scripts and work on audition pieces on the first day of camp!

As students progress into our Advanced Training programs for upper high school and college performers, auditions become more selective and casting is no longer guaranteed. Until then, if you’re ready to participate, there’s a place for you at Sol!

Monologue Options

You may pick your own monologue, or you may choose one from the list below!

Break a leg!

Jelly Beans

There is a wrong way. There’s really a wrong way and you’re doing it, Dad! You’re doing it so wrong wrong wrong wrong! You’re totally wasting them! You know how hard it was for me to get those? I mean, I waited all year…since last Easter. And—I—I—I don’t mind sharing with you. Really. I like it when I can give you something that I really like and you like it too. But—this—this is just wrong, Dad. When someone gives you 20 jelly beans, and they’re all different flavors like popcorn and chocolate pudding and blueberry, you don’t just—you don’t just shove them all in your mouth at once!

Mr. Swimmie

I know Mr. Swimmie died, but this is different. Mr. Swimmie was weird as soon as we got him. Half the time he swam backwards, remember? I’m not a veterinarian but I do not think fish are supposed to swim backwards. I did try to feed him—when I thought of it. You know, like when you bake that chocolate cherry cake I love or even if you were making that gross pot roast that stinks up the house. I had to think of food because I was smelling it. So I’d feed him. Like, every day. Honest! (pause) So I know I forgot a few days. I’m not perfect, ok? Maybe I was watching tv, and maybe I didn’t think about Mr. Swimmie, like, every second of the day, but I was different then. I was just a little kid! He died such a long time ago and you really have to get over it. It was like…two…or three weeks ago? I’m a lot more grown up now. (pause) So. Let’s go back to the pet store, and get me that puppy!

The Good Shepherds

What you’re forgetting—I mean—think about it—what you’re forgetting is that, is that, is that, shepherds weren’t neat. They didn’t, like, have a washing machine or something. They were out in the dirt with the sheep and stuff and probably had to, I don’t know, like, sleep in a mud puddle sometimes? If it was raining? And you told us to really try to think like our character, like, what would a shepherd be doing if he was just out there with the sheep all day? And like, I think, a shepherd would probably be playing. Because he has all those sheep to jump over and stuff, and maybe all the other shepherds to play with too, so I was thinking they’d probably be playing Superheroes. (pause) So, really. I know you’re kinda mad that we have all this mud on our costumes and we gotta go on stage in ten minutes, but, really, we were just kinda doing what you asked us to, Mrs. Wendell. We’re just trying to be good shepherds.

Our 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!

Learn about auditioning for a musical ➞

Learn about auditioning for a non-musical play➞

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

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 for a Musical

Prepare a song

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.

How to Choose a Song

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!

Do your research

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 for a 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.

Dress appropriately

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 for a Non-Musical Play

Prepare a Monologue

Do Your Research

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!

Callbacks for a 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.

Be prepared for your callback

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.