Holy Cross
Theatre Auditions
Audition Instructions
Welcome to the Spring 2024 Auditions, on Saturday, January 27!
Auditions for The Heiress and Mania will take place on Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to noon (singing) and noon to 3:00 p.m. (reading) in the Dance Studio (Room 320) 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, January 26. If you are auditioning for Mania you need to sign up for both a morning and afternoon slot; The Heiress auditioners need only sign up for the afternoon. Show up fifteen minutes before your scheduled audition and make sure you have completed the Google audition form at: audition form.
Auditioners must prepare a minimum of two and no more than three readings from the attached material for The Heiress and/or a minimum of one and no more than two readings from the attached material for Mania. Recordings of the audition music are available here: Mania Recordings
Sign up for your audition slot with a reading partner if possible. If you don’t have someone to read with, we will supply a scene partner for you. Six auditioners will be called in together for each 30-minute slot.
A copy of each play is in the Green Room in the Department of Theatre and Dance, O’Kane 472. Please read the entire play or plays for which you are auditioning in preparation.
Please prepare your song and your scenes but do not memorize them. 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.
Callbacks will be at the discretion of the directors on Sunday, January 28th. You will be emailed if you are needed for a callback.
Cast lists will be posted on the callboard by noon on Monday, January 29th.
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
The Heiress by Ruth & Augustus Goetz
Directed by Steve Vineberg
Directed by Steve Vineberg
Rehearsal Schedule Overview (subject to change):
The first read through will be Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Rehearsals will be held Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 and Sunday afternoons from noon to 5:00.
Additional Rehearsal and Performance Information:
SPRING BREAK: STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ON CAMPUS BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 4. The rehearsal schedule will be announced closer to the time.
EASTER BREAK: STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ON CAMPUS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 27 AND ON MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 1.
Brush-up rehearsal will be held on Tuesday, April 23, to accommodate the Academic Conference on April 24.
Performance Dates:
April 18-20 and 25-27, 7:30 p.m.
April 21 and 28, 2:00 p.m.
Mania by Blake Sheridan
Directed by Wesley Smith & Vincent Sekafetz
Rehearsal Schedule Overview (subject to change):
A more detailed schedule will be released upon casting and consideration of actors’ conflicts
January 30-February 18
One-on-one small group rehearsals with focus on music and memorization
Flexible timing
February 19-March 15
Sunday-Thursday 6-9:30
Friday/Saturday rehearsals may be scheduled if needed; however, we will be cognizant of your time
March 17-20
All actors are required to attend tech week rehearsals
Additional Rehearsal Requirements:
Most rehearsals will require all the actors. Rehearsals will typically be Sunday through Thursday, with Friday/Saturday rehearsals occurring only in the weeks leading up to the show dates or when the director decides it is necessary.
Due to the limited rehearsal time, Mania will be rehearsing over spring break. Spring rehearsals will begin Tuesday, March 5.
Performance Dates:
March 21-23, 7:30 p.m.
March 23-24, 2:00 p.m.
BREAK A LEG!
Spring_2024_AuditionPacket_Edited.pdfDiversity and Content Statements
Diversity & Casting @ Holy Cross Theatre
The Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to showing the diversity of its campus community on stage. Diverse casting is the practice of casting actors whose race, culture of origin, gender identity or expression, sexuality, ability or neurological status, size or any other identity category may differ from roles originally written for white, straight, cisgender, non-disabled, neurotypical or differently sized actors.
Our policy does not include erasing diversity that is specifically written into the script. All casting choices are made thoughtfully with the goal of enhancing the pedagogical value of the production and students’ participation in it.
Artistic 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.