“God, I hope I get it.” The iconic lyric from “A Chorus Line” may have been in the heads of many hopeful students this week, as the Theatre and Dance Department began auditioning students for its 2018 to 2019 season. The auditions were open to all students, regardless of their major. Auditioning is the only way to earn a spot in this season’s mainstage productions.
On the night of Tuesday, Aug. 21, auditions for “Dog Sees God” began. Those auditioning were informed that they would need to perform a one to two-minute monologue. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the audition was the number of people that signed up. Eighty-five hopefuls signed up, and auditions lasted until almost midnight.
“I was very surprised that all these people showed up,” said Joseph Caleb Smith, a sophomore theatre performance major who also auditioned for the show.
After the first night of auditions were the callbacks. Callbacks are for those who the director wishes to see after auditions. They usually consist of actors reading select scenes from the play pertaining to the character they are auditioning for. After callbacks, final casting decisions are made, and a cast list gets put up. Musical theatre major Caleb Moody was cast as Matt in the show.
“I learned about the show last semester and was very excited to see what the director’s concept was for the play. I prepared to audition with a piece from The Glass Menagerie. At callbacks I could tell the director was heavily considering me for Matt because he kept having me read for him. At this part of the process, it’s all about energy and who works well with who,” Moody said. “The next day I found out I was cast as Matt, and I was thrilled.”
Auditions began Wednesday night for Winthrop Dance Theatre and the Rockhettes. The Rockhettes are a special group that gets to represent Winthrop University during Rock Hill’s annual Christmasville event in December. Dance students showed up ready to move and groove, hoping to score a spot in this season’s pieces.
When it comes to audition, preparation is very important, and a few students shared how they prepare for auditions. Catelyn Artledge is a senior dance major. She prepares by “getting into the space before the audition and clearing her mind.”
Artledge will also be participating in the Senior Choreography Showcase as a choreographer, where she will experience things from the other side of the casting call. She said she is looking for dancers who are willing to take risks, because her piece is about balance.
Freshman theatre performance major KJ Adams says he prepares by “dressing out, being on time and having an open mind.”
Shannon Bradley, a musical theatre major who auditioned, says she prepares by “praying and having the mindset to go in and do my best.”
For those who auditioned and were not cast or have interest in auditioning for a Winthrop Theatre and Dance production in the future, this is only the beginning of auditions for this season. There will be many more chances for students to be cast in upcoming productions. For those who were cast, a long road of late night rehearsals and preparation for opening night awaits before they will get to steal the spotlight.