PIT ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

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.

Come From Away is unique for the orchestra as it contains some non-traditional instruments.  (By non-traditional of course, that means not in your average American band or orchestra room)  The person playing the mandolin will also need to play the bouzouki which is very similar, but will also need to know how to play the standard guitar as well.  We will also need an accomplished woodwind player to be able to play the flute as well as a variety of Irish whistles.  And of course there are the more standard instruments one would normally find in a musical pit.

Instructions for creating your virtual audition: 

• ALL parts of your audition should be edited together in one video. 

• For those who are auditioning on more than one instrument, please submit a separate video following the same instructions for each instrument.

• You may choose any song(s) you like but make sure they show your technical and stylistic capabilities and that there is written notation for your song.

• Please put the video in the following order: 

  •  State your name, pronouns, high school and the instrument you are playing

  • Two 60 second selections OR  One 2 minute selection to play on your instrument

• Title the video “Last Name First Name - Instrument - Come from Away Pit Audition” 

  • Ex. Rogers, Fred - Violin  - Come from Away Pit Audition

• Upload the video to your Google Drive (viewable by anyone) or YouTube The platform does not matter as long as we can watch the video. Put the link to your video into THIS GOOGLE FORM. IMPORTANT: If we cannot open your video, you will not be considered for a part.

• No fancy transitions or labeling is necessary between parts of your audition. We will know what we are watching.

• You also need to include a pdf of what you are playing so we can better assess your ability to read notation.

Instructions/Tips for filming your virtual audition:

• Make sure there is good lighting so we can see your face.

• Wear simple clothing (solid colors are always a win).

• If possible, a simple background is better (plain wall or an area of your home with limited distractions). If that is not possible, don’t worry! Just do the best you can.

• Please film to include your complete instrument.

• Everything should be filmed in landscape orientation, NOT portrait.

VIRTUAL AUDITION TAPES ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026!

Needed Instrumentation:

Bass – Will need electric and acoustic, fretless maybe. A 5 string electric is needed but I have one if you don’t.

Drums – Solid set reading as well as a few aux instruments.  Will need hot rods.

Percussion – Will play several different kinds of authentic Irish-style drums

Whistle – Being a strong flute player is important.  Will play a large number of different keyed Irish whistles and possibly a few different keyed flutes

Mandolin – Will play the mandolin, acoustic guitar (both regular and in drop-D tuning) and will play the Bouzouki as well

Fiddle – Make sure your style of playing reflects fiddle technique and not violin

Guitar – Will play both acoustic and electric and will also play drop-D tuning on both

Piano – Strong piano skills and will need to use patch software to change voices

ALL FORMS, UPLOADS, AND SIGN-UPS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026!

See the Resources page to learn how to put together a theatrical resume.

Here are some Sample Resumes.