show faq’s
What is the Audition process?
At NYT, auditions are an open casting call; nothing is precast. Any student, 8-19 yrs. old, is eligible to audition. Students have “1 minute to shine”. We recommend preparing a 1-minute song highlighting your vocals and acting through song. However, students may choose to do a monologue or dance if they prefer. We recommend using a karaoke/backing track. iTunes sells many options. Label your CD with your name. Or you may bring your music on a device (i.e., iPhone, mp3 player, etc.) with a cord to connect to our speakers. If using a song from the cloud, make sure you have access to wireless data for your device.
Students will be given a number and taken into the audition room in groups of approximately 10-12. [It’s very important you make a note of, and remember, this number.] Hand your CD or music device to the person at the table operating the CD player, and take a seat in numerical order. As each student’s number is called, the student will come in front of the directing team, introduce themselves and their song, and perform. Students will then take their seat until the entire group is finished, then they will be dismissed. There may be a dance audition in addition to their 1-minute audition, but no preparation is required. If the directing team wishes to see your child for a specific role, they will be called back – usually the following day. Callback notification will generally be sent late that night or early the next day.
What are Callbacks?
Callbacks involve singing for a specific role(s) and/or reading for specific character(s) and/or for more advanced dancing roles. Songs from the actual show are featured at callbacks. Learn all the songs from the show for callbacks in advance, especially the ones you feel you could be called back for. As a performer you should try prepare in advance for roles whenever possible. Sometimes the music is not available in advance as with shows like Narnia or other lesser-known works. But often the songs are easy to access online like Music Man or Peter Pan.
If your child is called back, you will receive notification within 24 hours. The method of communication for this process will be given to you during the audition process. The number assigned to your student upon arrival will be the same number that callbacks will be referenced by; you will not see names on the callback sheet.
If my student is not called back does that mean they were not cast?
No. All students are considered for casting even after callbacks have been completed. And if a student is called back it does not automatically signify they will be cast in a featured role. In general, NYT’s goal is to cast all students that complete the one-minute audition and that do not have significant rehearsal or dress rehearsal conflicts. The number of conflicts allowed is at the discretion of each lead director for each show. However, please be aware that if the number of children auditioning is very large (i.e., 90+), cuts are possible, and every child may not be cast; although this is something that the NYT directors will make every effort to avoid. If your child is not given a part, you will be refunded the production fee. although this is something that the NYT directors will make every effort to avoid. If your child is not given a part, you will be refunded the production fee.
Besides performing practice, are any other preparations needed?
Who can view auditions? Can I videotape/record my student’s audition?
What if I have rehearsal conflicts? Or I’m unsure about future conflicts?
What to wear to auditions and callbacks?
Can we audition if we are out of town during auditions and callbacks?
Yes, you may submit a video audition to our production coordinator by email by the night of auditions to be considered. However, there are no video options for callbacks.
How can I help my student with the audition process?
How do I pick the right song/material?
Should I download and bring my own music?
Yes. And in order to ensure auditions go smoothly, please either download your music onto your phone (don’t rely on trying to find it in your “cloud” as reception may be poor in the building), or bring music on a CD. If using a phone, please make sure your phone is set to not accept calls or texts during that time — you don’t want to receive a call during your song! Also please have the music set to the exact time you want your song to start. We will not have time to search for the right time once your audition begins. If using a CD, be sure to copy it starting at the time you want the song to begin for you. Give yourself at least a 4 second lead in! Parents, please give the musical device that your child is using to them. While you are allowed to be in the room, you will be sitting in the back and unable to help them. They will need to hand the phone, iPod, or CD to the music monitor themselves. Please make sure that phones are unlocked.
Can I sing without music/acapella?
How will we know what role my child received?
What if I don't want the role I'm offered?
If I am not in the show, may I work backstage?
How do you insure a fair casting process?
We take pride in the integrity of our casting process. All of the directing team members are encouraged to give feedback on casting of all roles. However, if their own children or private lesson students are being discussed, that director must leave the room; and they are not eligible to give input on those students. We rely on godly wisdom from the council of many to make casting decisions. Final decisions are never one person’s opinion, and we bring in a variety of directing team members into each production to make sure our casting decisions are as fair and balanced as possible. We also do not have a policy against students receiving good roles each show. This is a competitive program and the roles are given to the students that are best suited, as determined by the whole directing team. The only way to earn a role is to prove yourself to be best during auditions and callbacks. The coordinators and/or production managers of shows are not eligible to give input on casting. They are at auditions to help facilitate paperwork and to make sure all rehearsal conflicts are noted. They are also required to leave the room if their children are discussed.
Are production fees refundable?
No, they aren’t. The production fee is payable at the time of the audition. Should the cast member decide not to participate in the show after auditioning, the fee is not refundable. The only exception would be for those times when the directors decide not to cast an actor; and then the fees will be returned.