We are seeking a diverse and exciting pit orchestra that showcases our amazing young theatre musicians from across the state of Illinois! Whether you have played in band, orchestra, or a musical pit, you are welcome! No previous experience in a musical is required.
See the Home Page to fill out the necessary forms (application form, required signatures, headshot and resume, medical/media release form, teacher/director recommendation, application fee), to pay your $20 audition fee, and sign up for an audition day/time.
ALL FORMS, UPLOADS, AND SIGN-UPS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026!
Instrumentation Parts Available
Bass (Acoustic and Electric)
Percussion (Bells, Djembe, Drumset, Accessories, Timpani, Keyboards)
Guitar (Electric and Acoustic)
Piano / Keyboard
Reed (Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Tenor Sax)
Trombone
Trumpet (Flugelhorn, Piccolo, Trumpet)
Violin
* Note: Parts can be split amongst students, and some instruments may be doubled by more than one student.
AUDITION PROCESS
Musicians selected to be in the Pit Orchestra should have significant ensemble experience (orchestra, band, pit orchestra, etc.), strong sight-reading skills, the ability to read music in multiple keys and mixed meters, and great musicianship.
If you are interested in auditioning for the Pit Orchestra, you need to do the following:
Fill out and upload the Audition Application on JotForm and TheatreForms (application form, required signatures, headshot and resume, medical/media release form, teacher/director recommendation, application fee).
Sign up for an audition/interview day/time.
DUE FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026!
Musicians will come prepared with a one-minute excerpt from a song (something from musical theatre, a classical selection, or even contemporary music) or an etude on their instrument that best showcases their ability and skill level.
Musicians might be required to sight-read at their audition.
We are also looking for musicians who can play multiple instruments and play a variety of styles.
Musicians should dress their best and look professional.
Please note that while the pit orchestra is expected to attend every rehearsal that the full company is called for, exact times may vary.
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Keyboard
2-3 minutes of a prepared solo or etude (a concerto, sonata, etude, Suzuki piece, or a piece you are working on in a private lesson).
Drums and Percussion
For percussion, prepare a two-mallet solo/etude on xylophone or marimba, a timpani solo, or an orchestral excerpt. If you are interested in drum set, please prepare excerpts of the following styles: funk, rock, gospel, Latin, shuffle, swing, and disco. Please demonstrate 16 bars for each style (4 measures time/4 measures/4 measures time/4 measures fill).
Please be aware that concert percussion and accessories depend on the available pit size in the Virginia Theatre.
Woodwind Doublers
If you can play one complete woodwind book, please prepare a solo on each instrument you are fluent on. If you do not double on a woodwind instrument and want to audition on only one instrument, that is fine as well.
Please read all of the PRODUCTION INFORMATION before you audition
ALL FORMS, UPLOADS, AND SIGN-UPS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026!
See the "Resources" page to learn how to put together a theatrical resume.
Here are some Sample Resumes.