Auditions & Practicum
Practicum | Auditions | Stage Management
The best way to learn about theatre is by doing theatre. To make the most of your time at OSU, you should find every way possible to be involved with our productions. We recommend that you work on productions two times a year. You can receive credit that counts toward your theatre degree when working on a production or in one of our theatre shops or laboratories.
Theatre 205—(1 credit) This credit is set up to accomplish work that needs to be done before the run of the show, for example, scenic construction, light hang and focus, costume construction, publicity (poster distribution). For this course, you sign-up for 40 hours worth of work during the 10 week quarter—usually 4 hours per week—scheduled at a time that is convenient for you.
Theatre 305—(2 credits) This is for work that happens during the run of the show, for example, set run crew, light board operator, sound board operator, costume run crew, etc. For this course, you are required to attend evening and weekend rehearsals and performances for the entire run of the show (this is a two to four week commitment).
Theatre 405—(variable credit) This is for actors and members of the production team who have high-level responsibilities, for example, stage managers, assistant directors, dramaturgs, assistant scenic, costume, or lighting designers. For some of these positions, students do not have a set schedule (with the exception of the weekly production meetings and tech week), while some positions require regular attendance at rehearsals and performances.
Department of Theatre auditions and productions are open to ALL students enrolled at OSU, regardless of major or rank.
We hold open auditions on a quarterly basis. For the shows that are produced in Autumn quarter, auditions are held the first week of Autumn quarter. For Winter productions, auditions are held in the middle of Autumn quarter; and for Spring productions, auditions are held in the middle of Winter quarter. Undergraduate students are required to prepare one monologue that lasts no more than three minutes. Sign-up sheets for auditions are posted on the Monday of the week before auditions outside Room 107 of the Drake Performance and Event Center.
During auditions, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early in case the auditions have moved quicker than expected. There is an information sheet you will fill out and then you will be escorted into the audition room. Inside will be directors for the shows currently casting as well as the Head of Acting/Directing. Following the first round of auditions, a call-back list is posted outside Room 107. If you are listed, there will be specific directions as to when you need to arrive and what you need to bring/wear/prepare for the call-backs. Whether or not you are cast, we encourage you to make an appointment with the Head of the Acting/Directing area to get feedback on your audition.
If you want to be in charge of a production and have a direct impact on all aspects of the production, become a stage manager for our shows. The stage manager serves as the central nervous system for a production by running auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, and performances. The stage manager works closely with the director and the design team to make sure that everyone involved (cast, crew, directors, designers) is on the same page. During production meetings, the stage manager records and distributes the minutes, keeps the production team up to date on the rehearsal process, listens for any conflicts, requests props, etc. In rehearsal, the stage manager arranges and posts the call times, records blocking notations, gives lines, maintains the rehearsal schedule, and enforces the company rules. During a performance, the stage manager makes sure everything is good to go, solves problems, calls cues, motivates the cast and crew, and maintains the artistic integrity of the show.
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