Q: Is there a cost to audition?
Yes, there is a $20 audition fee. It covers processing and materials fees. If you audition in more than one area (acting, pit orchestra, or technical), there is a fee for each area.
Q: Is there an expense to participate?
Yes, there is a $750 fee. 100% of this amount goes to you -- none of this fee goes towards the production itself. It covers your meals, housing (hotel costs) at Theatre Fest, show swag, and more. Your school may cover this fee (we will help you ask your director/principal). If your school does not cover the fee and this dollar amount seems impossible, please contact the All-State producers. We will help you with scholarships. DO NOT LET THIS FEE STOP YOU FROM PARTICIPATING!
Q: What if I cannot afford the $750 participation fee?
We will work with your school to see if they’ll be able to sponsor you – just as the school sponsors state-qualifying athletes. We will also offer scholarships for students. We DO NOT want the money to deter you from applying for the All-State production!
Q: Are there additional fees?
Possibly, depending on your role. You may be asked to purchase specific personal items (such as makeup or undergarments) that you would keep after the show. It will likely be between $20 and $80, depending on the role. Additionally, there will be optional opportunities for purchases of items as additional mementos from the show or the Festival, beyond the show swag all participants will receive. Finally, there may be optional raffles or other fundraising opportunities available. If this possible cost is a concern, please contact the All-State Producers. DO NOT LET THESE POSSIBLE FEES STOP YOU FROM PARTICIPATING!
Q: Can anyone audition?
Yes, any current freshman, sophomore, or junior may audition (graduating classes of 2027, 2028, and 2029). We will also welcome incoming freshmen (graduating class of 2030) to audition, but they will need a high school performing arts educator/director to recommend them. Schools can send as many students as they want to audition and interview. Your theatre director/sponsor should coordinate that information and will be required to submit an online recommendation form for each student who submits. Additionally, principals must sign off on your participation as part of the audition and interview process.
Q: What is All-State really like?
All-state is a fulfilling, impactful time for everyone involved! It is a chance to enhance your love for theatre by working with talented students from all over the state who are brought together to make magic happen! It is a group of like-minded people who believe in the power of theatre.
All-State is hard work, which is why you must commit to all the rehearsal dates to audition. We start working on the show in July, which seems like a while before the Theatre Festival; however, we only work for 2-3 days at a time, so we must be as productive as possible throughout those weekends. Being chosen for the All-State means that you have the capacity for that work.
All-State is AN ADDITIONAL opportunity for the students involved. You are expected to still be an active leader and (we stress) model student with your home drama program. Being selected for the All-State is a special honor.
Q: Are there eligibility requirements?
Yes. We expect you to maintain good grades. We will do a grade check-in during the October rehearsal weekend. We have the same standards as IHSA, which means you must be passing 5 credited classes to remain part of the company.
Q: Can I be selected for the company even though I haven’t played lead roles at my school nor have a lot of leadership experiences (i.e., a Stage Manager)?
YES! We want everyone to audition and apply for this production, no matter your past experiences. All-State is meant to provide educational opportunities for you to learn and take those skills with you and back to your school. Remember: you still gained skills with your involvement in other extra-curricular activities (i.e., sports, student council, Drama Club, GSA, etc.), and those skills make you valuable company members for Something Rotten!
Q: Can I audition and apply for more than one area? For example, can I audition for the cast and apply for the crew?
Yes, if you'd like! We encourage you to audition and apply for multiple areas.
Q: What if I’m not a good tap dancer?
That’s okay! We are going to provide tap tutorial videos in the coming months to help you learn the basics of tap. Again, All-State is meant to be educational, and we will provide you with all the tools needed to be successful.
Q: Are auditions in person or via video submission?
In-person. However, if you are unable to attend one of the three audition days, let us know in April by contacting allstateproducers@ihstf.org. We prefer in-person, though.
Q: How big will the company be?
We want to involve as many students as possible! Currently, our goal is to have approximately 110 students involved between the cast, crew, pit, and student leadership positions!
Q: How will transportation work?
Students will be required to provide their own transportation to and from rehearsals and Theatre Fest.
Q: How will housing work?
Rehearsals will be at Oak Lawn Community High School. Depending on your distance to the host school, All-State Producers will help you find host families for the weekend (usually other company members or other host theatre students). Additionally, during the Festival Week (January 3-10, 2027), we will all be housed together in a hotel in Champaign.
Q: When you say, “All roles and positions are open to any student regardless of their ethnicity or gender,” do you mean it?
100%. We will cast the show and select our company based on what YOU bring to your audition/interview. The casting for Something Rotten is not exclusive to the stereotypical representation of the characters of past productions. Furthermore, the characters in the musical are binary and written with he/him or she/her pronouns. However, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible, and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with. The same applies to all races and ethnicities. In the Theatre, ALL ARE WELCOME!