| First rehearsals for our 2014/2015 season |
 The cast and crew of The Importance of Being Earnest get started this week with the first readthrough, which is usually the first rehearsal. Everyone in the cast and crew meet and get acquainted before gathering around a table to read the text aloud. This rehearsal is also often used as a time for design presentations where the head designer from each department gives a summation of their concepts and/or initial thoughts on the look and feel of the show. It's a time of great excitement and anticipation for all involved in the production.
Happy first rehearsal to our Earnest friends and keep reading as we reveal the early design renderings and give you a sneak peek of the rehearsal process over the coming weeks. |
| Put your hat in the ring for a part in this season's Shakespearean production |
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Hart House Theatre is now accepting submissions for
THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Jeremy Hutton
Deadline for submissions:
Friday, September 5, 2014 - early submissions are encouraged.
Non-union, Non-paying
Those contacted for auditions will be seen the week of September 7, 2014 or later. Only those contacted for an audition will be seen.
Performance run: November 5-22, 2014
For more information on how and what to submit for audition, visit our site here >>
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| Tips for the audition process |
| Just a few tidbits to help your work get noticed...in a good way! |
 Some casting relies very little on your performance in the audition room. Very often qualities like attitude, reliability and self-knowledge play a huge factor in whether or not you are considered for a role. Throughout the years of auditioning talent for our shows, we've stumbled upon, been told about and witnessed a few tried-and-true ways of presenting oneself as an actor that we'd like to share:
- If requesting an audition over email or by an online submission form, be sure to make your file attachments easy to read and name them professionally. While "sexyblueshirt" might be a name that means something to you, it's not a very professional name for your headshot.
- Assume that everyone you interact with throughout the whole process has influence over whether or not you get the gig. From the director and producer to the person who answers your email or gives you a pen to fill out a form, behave kindly and respectfully.
- When it comes to picking the appropriate piece to perform, follow the guidelines provided. You'll rarely score points for doing a Mamet monologue when the audition calls for Shakespeare.
- When choosing a piece, try to avoid anything from a movie. Unless you're as good as Pacino or Blanchett, all you're doing is reminding the director of the performance those actors gave.
- In the same vein, when choosing a piece, try to avoid ones where the character dies, goes crazy or uses a lot of props. There's a chance you'll be left lying on the floor and have to make an awkward rise and explain that you're not really a maniac, or you'll have dropped a lot of stuff that you'll have to spend time cleaning up. All of this can make you look awkward, unprepared and takes away from your time in the room.
- To look at the panel or not? Some people coach to always look the panel in the eye as you do your piece and others say that it's too invasive and uncomfortable. When in doubt, ask.
- If asked to read sides, there's nothing wrong with asking for time to review. You may be asked to do so as the panel sees someone else, but that's great - more time to prepare and show your work at its best!
The most helpful thing to remember is that everyone on the audition panel wants you to succeed. While the process may be intimidating, keeping that small fact in mind can give your time in the room that boost of confidence that helps make your audition a stand-out. Do you have more helpful hints? Care to share your audition success stories? Reply to this email or message our Marketing Coordinator direct at andrea.wasserman@utoronto.ca with your thoughts and be entered to win tickets to the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest .
Break legs out there! |
