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Salem State Theatre Casting Philosophy
Salem State Theatre Casting Philosophy
During the casting process, we are mindful of the academic and educational needs of the students in this department, taking into account GPA, Theatre Participation, class attendance, work ethic, and capacity for creativity.
During the casting process, we are mindful of the academic and educational needs of the students in this department, taking into account GPA, Theatre Participation, class attendance, work ethic, and capacity for creativity.
Auditions for Upcoming Productions:
Auditions for Upcoming Productions:
Repertory Auditions for BECKY NURSE OF SALEM and CORNERS GROVE
Repertory Auditions for BECKY NURSE OF SALEM and CORNERS GROVE
SAVE THE DATE:
Repertory Auditions for the Fall 2026 Salem State University Theatre Department productions, BECKY NURSE OF SALEM and CORNERS GROVE will be held on Tuesday, April 21. (For a repertory audition, you audition for multiple shows at the same time, with the same audition material.)
BECKY NURSE OF SALEM
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Julie Kiernan
October 16-18 & 23-25, 2026
Sophia Gordon Center- Mainstage Theatre
Part of the Salem 400 Celebration!
“Out of work and out of love, Becky Nurse is an ordinary but strong-willed grandmother just trying to get by in post-Obama America. She’s also the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Rebecca Nurse, who was infamously executed for witchcraft in 1692 – but things have changed for women since then, haven’t they? Desperate to raise her troubled teenaged granddaughter right (and hoping to hook up with an old flame), Becky visits a local witch for help. But those spells and potions don’t work out exactly as planned.”
“Becky Nurse of Salem” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
CORNERS GROVE
By Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin
Directed by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin
November 20-23 & December 4-6, 2026
Sophia Gordon Center- Mainstage Theatre
“A nod to Our Town, this new play shifts Thornton Wilder’s masterpiece into the twenty-first century, to a small town about forty miles south of San Francisco. George, Emily and their friends are determined to live their lives on their own terms and to shed versions of themselves they’ve outgrown, whether that be their high school sweetheart or their gender identity. Life has only spun forward, and the only way for the residents of Corners Grove to keep up is to embrace the unknown and commit to their own truths.”
CORNERS GROVE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.
REPERTORY AUDITIONS:
DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
TIME: 4:30pm-10:00pm
LOCATION: SGRR (SG208, on the 2nd floor of the Sophia Gordon Center)
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
• Provide two copies of your theatre resume.
• Provide two copies of your headshot or a recent photograph.
• Prepare two memorized monologues. The monologues should both be contemporary (from plays written in the past 25 years) but should be contrasting styles (such as comedic vs. dramatic.) Each monologue should be about one minute long, for a combined audition package time of two minutes total.
CALLBACKS:
Callbacks for Becky Nurse of Salem will be held on Wednesday, April 22. Callbacks for Corners Grove will be held on Tuesday, April 28. More information will be provided on the morning of Wednesday, April 22.
NOTES:
1. Auditions are open to all current Salem State University students and community members.
2. All returning BFA Performance students are required to participate in repertory auditions for Theatre Department productions.
3. Scripts of Becky Nurse of Salem, Corners Grove, and Our Town are available in the Theatre Office Play Library. Please email aotoole@salemstate.edu for reading copies.
4. Learn more about Auditioning Basics and Theatre Resumes on the bottom of this page.
Break a leg!
Auditions for Prospective Students:
Auditions for Prospective Students:
Auditions for our Fall 2026 BFA Theatre Program
Auditions for our Fall 2026 BFA Theatre Program
Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Fine Arts
There are two tracks in the theatre major to which students can apply:
Bachelor of Arts, BA (does not require an audition/portfolio)
Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA (requires an audition/portfolio review as part of the application review)
*If you do not initially apply to the BFA as an incoming student, you will have the opportunity to audition during your freshman year.*
Portfolios Reviews and Auditions will be held in person on the following dates:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Audition Requirements for the BFA Theatre Performance Program:
Prepare two monologues. The monologues should be contrasting styles, and each monologue should be about one minute long, for a combined time of two minutes total.
Provide two copies of your theatre resume.
Provide two copies of your headshot or a recent photograph.
Portfolio Review/Interview Requirements for the BFA programs in Directing, Stage Management, Technical Theatre, Theatre Design:
Prepare a four-minute portfolio presentation. Your portfolio can include any relevant paperwork, photos, renderings, or production books you have from previous shows.
Provide two copies of your theatre resume.
Play Review Requirements for the BFA Playwrighting program:
Email a PDF of an original 10-page one-act play OR a 10-page writing sample from an original full-length play to aotoole@salemstate.edu one week prior to your scheduled Review date. Our faculty will read your playwrighting submission prior to the review, and they will discuss it with you at your review. The playwrighting sample must demonstrate an ability to employ effective structure, develop dramatic characters, utilize effective language, and convey dramatic action.
Please bring two copies of your theatre resume.
Virtual Auditions and Portfolio Review Option:
Virtual Audition and Portfolio Review timeslots for the BFA Theatre program are available on November 15 and January 24 by arrangement for out-of-state applicants and special circumstances. Please contact aotoole@salemstate.edu to request a virtual audition or portfolio review.
Please contact Ashley Preston O'Toole at aotoole@salemstate.edu or 978-542-4312 to schedule your BFA Audition or Portfolio Review.
Complimentary tickets are available to prospective students and their families for any Theatre Department production. To inquire about tickets for upcoming performances or to schedule a tour of the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, please email Ashley Preston O’Toole at aotoole@salemstate.edu.
Auditioning Basics:
Auditioning Basics:
Auditioning Basics.pdfAUDITIONING BASICS
By Prof. Alex Jacobs
Prep: What to Do Before the Audition
Read the Audition Notice Carefully
It tells you what to prepare, when and where to go, and what the role/show is about.
Look for words like "monologue," "song," "sides," or "cold read."
Know What You’re Auditioning For
If it’s a play, try to read it or at the very least look up a summary.
Learn the tone—is it serious, funny, classical, modern?
Prepare Your Material
You may be asked for a monologue (a short speech by one character) if it is a season audition you may be asked for two contrasting monologues (i.e. comedic and dramatic or classical & modern).
You may be given a side, a short scene from the script for you to read and perform, (often provided in advance). This may be instead of a monologue or in addition to it.
You may be asked to do a cold read from the play, reading something from the script, provided day of. More common in callbacks (a second audition for the same production).
Memorize & Rehearse
If using a side, you’re allowed to hold your script, though try to be as familiar as you can, so you can connect with your scene partner. Monologues should be memorized where possible.
Warm Up
Do light stretching and vocal exercises so you feel focused and ready.
Breathing helps with nerves and voice control.
Dress Simply
Wear neat clothes you can move in. No costumes, but choose something that hints at the character if possible (e.g. strong shoes, a blazer, etc.).
During the Audition: How to Present
Arrive Early and Be Polite
Sign in early. Use the waiting time to stay focused and calm.
Be courteous to everyone: stage manager, assistants, other auditioners, again everyone!
Bring a Headshot & Resume
A printed picture that looks like you.
A resume detailing your theatrical experience to date.
Slate Professionally
This is simply the act of introducing yourself: Say your name and the piece you’ll be performing.
Example: "Hi, I’m Jordan Smith, and I’ll be performing a monologue from 'Twelfth Night.'”
Own the Room (but Stay Humble)
Walk in with confidence and warmth.
Acknowledge the panel with eye contact and a simple smile.
Wait for their cue to begin.
Perform with Focus
If presenting a monologue, speak and connect with your imagined scene partner by placing them in the air to the right or left of the audition panel (do not use the audition panel themselves as your scene partner).
If presenting a side and a reader is provided as a scene partner, you may look and engage directly with them unless instructed otherwise.
Take Direction Well
If given feedback or adjustments, listen carefully and implement enthusiastically.
Directors want to see how you work, not just your first take.
After the Audition: What to Do
Leave Graciously
Thank the panel simply. Don’t ask how you did or fish for feedback.
Exit confidently, even if you feel unsure.
Reflect (but Don’t Spiral)
Jot down what went well and what you’d improve next time.
Then move on—don’t overanalyze.
Follow Up Professionally If Appropriate
If you know the director or casting team personally, a short thank-you email is fine.
Otherwise, don’t follow up unless invited.
Break a leg!
Sample Theatre Resumes
Sample Theatre Resumes
Sample Theatre Resumes.pdfPage updated
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