Holy Cross
Theatre Auditions
Audition Instructions
Welcome to the Fall 2024 Auditions, on Saturday, September 7th!
Auditions for Cymbeline, Sweeney Todd and At The Wedding will take place on Saturday, September 7th from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Boroughs Theater in the Prior Performing Arts Center (PAC). Please sign up for audition times on the call board outside O’Kane 481 (4th floor, O’Kane Hall) by Friday, September 6th. Please show up fifteen minutes before your scheduled audition and make sure you have completed the Google audition form at: audition form. Audition materials will be available by the last week of August.
Everyone auditioning must prepare a minimum of one and no more than two readings from the Audition Packet. Those auditioning for Sweeney Todd and interested in singing roles in Cymbeline should also prepare a solo singing selection from the audition materials provided. Singing is optional, but encouraged.
Sign up for your audition slot with planned reading partners when possible. If you don’t have someone to read with, we will supply a reader for you at the audition. Six auditioners will be seen as a group in each 30-minute slot.
There will be copies of the plays in the Department of Theatre and Dance Green Room, O’Kane 472 (4th floor O’Kane Hall) by the last week of August. Please read them in preparation.
Memorization of your song is required, but you are not expected to memorize your chosen readings. You may be asked to read for other parts during your audition time. If so, you will be given time to look over the text.
Those interested in being cast in the musical or in singing roles for the play should prepare one of the audition music excerpts from Sweeney Todd or Cymbeline as provided in the audition music packet. Please be prepared to sing your selection with accompaniment. A pianist will be provided at the audition and for rehearsal ahead of auditions.
The musical directors for Sweeney Todd and Cymbeline will schedule times before auditions to review music. If you are singing, we strongly encourage you to sign up to rehearse with the audition pianists ahead of the audition. Sheet music and sign-up information will be available at the beginning of the semester.
If you are interested in being cast in Sweeney Todd, please familiarize yourself with any musical excerpt from the packet that is suited to your voice type in case you are asked to sing an additional piece than the one you’ve selected. You will be given time outside the audition room to look over any additionally requested selections.
Callbacks will be at the discretion of the directors on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Callbacks will be emailed to all auditionees.
Cast lists will be posted by noon on Monday, Sept. 10th on the callboard outside O’Kane 481.
We strongly encourage everyone to audition for both productions, especially Theatre majors; however, when you fill out your audition form, please make sure you are available for the rehearsal times and especially performance dates for each show.
Rehearsal & Performance Information
Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Directed by Ed Isser
Directed by Ed Isser
Cymbeline is a fairy tale about an ancient British king married to a wicked queen who conspires against Imogen, his daughter from a previous marriage. It is a tale of deceit, jealousy, and accusations of infidelity that leads ultimately to the slandering and subjugation of an innocent princess. Imogen emerges triumphant when she confronts and ultimately absolves the men who have betrayed and maligned her. Filled with action and song, Cymbeline is an epic romantic adventure about the power of love and the centrality of family that concludes with shocking revelations and a joyous reconciliation.
Rehearsal Schedule Overview (subject to change):
The first rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Rehearsals will be held Monday through Friday evenings from 6:00 to 9:30pm
Sunday afternoons from noon to 5:00pm.
All actors are required to attend tech week rehearsals
Additional Rehearsal and Performance Information:
This production will rehearse over Fall Break. Students are required to be back on campus on Sunday, October 13th at 6:00pm.
The rehearsal schedule will be announced closer to the time.
Performance Dates:
OCT. 31 – NOV. 2 and NOV. 7 – 9, 7:30 p.m. in Boroughs Theater
NOV. 3 and 10, 2:00 p.m. in Boroughs Theater
Sweeney Todd by Sondheim & Wheeler
Directed by Meaghan Deiter
This dark tale bridges two seemingly disparate genres — Music Theatre and Horror — and explores themes of power, poverty, patriarchy, revenge, and obsession through a thrillingly complex and satisfying score. “Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd / He served a dark and a vengeful god . . .”
Rehearsal Schedule Overview (subject to change):
Oct. 21th through Dec. 10th 6:30-9:30 pm M-F; off for Thanksgiving Break.
The first two weeks of rehearsal will be dedicated to learning the music.
Rehearsals will resume on January 13th and students will be given access to their housing and a meal plan for early move- in. Rehearsals will include an afternoon and evening session the week prior to classes resuming.
Starting Jan. 21, rehearsals will move to 4-hour evening sessions, with a weekend sitzprobe and technical rehearsal ahead of dress rehearsals starting on Feb. 3.
Additional Rehearsal Requirements:
The cast will return from Winter Break a week early to jumpstart rehearsals.
Weekly extracurricular conflicts will not be excused. Your priority must be rehearsal.
Only academic conflicts will be accepted in the second semester. No conflicts will be accepted for tech and dress rehearsals.
Choir concert and dress rehearsal conflicts will be accommodated and excused, but choir rehearsal conflicts beyond one half hour a week will not be accommodated. No choir conflicts will be accepted in the second semester.
Performance Dates:
Feb. 6-8 and 13-15, 7:30 p.m. in the Luth Concert Hall
Feb. 9 & 16, 2:00 p.m. in the Luth Concert Hall
At the Wedding by Bryna Turner
Directed by Patrick O’Konis
Bryna Turner’s zany one-act follows Carlo as she decides to crash her ex-girlfriend’s wedding (to a man). In her plight to win Eva back, Carlo must try to navigate her mistakes, regrets and insecurities through stereotypical wedding traditions, awkward interventions by family and friends and – most importantly – an open bar.
Rehearsal Schedule Overview (subject to change):
Rehearsals: September 9th- November 20th
Monday-Friday and once per weekend
A more detailed schedule will be released upon casting and consideration of actors’ conflicts
All actors are required to attend tech week rehearsals
Additional Rehearsal Requirements:
Everyone, besides Carlo, will only be called twice a week until October Break.
Once back from break, we will start rehearsing runs of the show where everyone will be called.
Please note all conflicts, including late classes on your audition form.
If auditioning for Carlo please know you will be called to nearly every rehearsal.
Performance Dates:
NOV. 21, 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m. in The Pit
NOV. 23 and 24, 2:00p.m. in The Pit
BREAK A LEG!
Fall24_AuditionPkt_Instructions, Readings & Music.pdfArtistic Freedom, Content, and Trigger Warnings
The Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to artistic freedom and performing challenging, thought-provoking works for the campus; however, we are sensitive to the fact that challenging, thought-provoking works may include scenes, characters or dialogue that are triggering.
Students are encouraged to read all of the plays before auditioning to make sure they are comfortable with the content of the play (for example, those that address issues of sexuality or violence). Copies of the plays are available in the Department of Theatre and Dance Green Room (O’Kane 472, floor of O’Kane).
Once the plays are cast, all decisions will be made in dialogue with student actors and include the actors’ consent. Special attention will be given to personal boundaries, and open, supportive dialogue during the rehearsal process.
About the Department of Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre & Dance at the College of the Holy Cross is a fully accredited member institution of the National Association of Schools of Theatre that offers students an integrated training program in a liberal arts environment. Our theatrical season provides numerous performance and design opportunities. We mount three fully produced, faculty-directed main stage productions, two student-directed one act festivals in our experimental space, two Balinese performance pieces, a dance concert, and numerous presentations by studio classes. Students who have passed through the department have fared well beyond the bounds of Holy Cross. Our students have been admitted into highly selective graduate programs in acting, directing, dramatic literature, lighting design and film studies. Holy Cross grads work as professional actors, directors, designers, and stage managers.
About Alternate College Theatre
The Alternate College Theatre (ACT) is one of the largest and oldest student groups at Holy Cross. Composed of undergraduates who love theatre—both majors and non-majors—ACT provides a venue for students to put their training to work. Students are responsible for all aspects of production: directing, designing and producing as well as performing. Each year ACT mounts two productions (a play and a musical) and hosts a Cabaret Night in the spring. The Department of Theatre provides artistic advice and technical supervision, but otherwise it is a sink-or-swim operation dependent upon the talent and dedication of students.