2017-2018 Audition Calendar for Summer and Year-Round Work

@gingersnap97 thanks for the info. I thought they were . Someone we know spoke with them at Strawhat but I’m thinking they are not aware it’s tuition based. It doesn’t list the $ amount on the website either for the performance interns either.

In the past, I believe Weathervane’s intern program has cost about $2000.

@theaterwork D got a callback for Weathervane at strawhat and said they are tuition based and I think she mentioned $2000, but not positive about that.

Ok thanks I will pass this along on cost. not sure if they are applying or not. I think they only take 10 students.

@TheaterHiringCo Did you attend SETC this year? I was wondering if you would be willing to share your professional observations from SETC 2018. Your observations and thoughts from past auditions have been very interesting and helpful.

Does anyone know if final calls (after call back audition and phone interview) have gone out for the Acting Internships at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park?

Thank you @stagedoormama, @theaterwork, and @MilMom. I appreciate the info. and your insights.

Does anyone have info. on Barrington Stage Co.?

Mr. Eggroll, I asked the same question – info about Barrington Stage Co – earlier in this thread, and several replied and said they’d heard good things. I’ve also heard good things elsewhere. Yes, you do have to pay, but it seems less expensive than many other programs out there. Anyway, my son is going to be doing it this summer, so we shall see!

Hi! New Class of ‘22 BFA mom here. S will be attending Rutgers for BFA Acting in the fall and we’re wondering what the criteria is for the prescreens/ actual auditions for these opportunities are— pre-rehearsed monolgue that he has in his back pocket? Also, when is the best time to register for these things? @theaterwork @boatmom @Mr.Eggroll @stagedoormama

Criteria are different for each summer stock- you will need to check each. But for SETC, for example, college students must do a pre- audition in their state (or the closest state to them that participates) and get passed through that in order to attend SETC. They have options for monologues only or song and monologue. There are fees for attending both the pre-screen auditions and the actual auditions. Each site of the summer stock generals will give you a timeline on when they open. Best of luck!

Will someone please explain the advantages of a summer apprenticeship/internship that you have to pay to participate in versus one that you don’t pay for? I’m just confused. Like are you just paying for the opportunity and then is it easier to get one of those since not everyone is willing or able to pay? Or do they all give equity points so you are paying to get points? Or what exactly are you paying for? My d is a freshman and she booked an acting internship this summer that includes housing, some meals, small stipend, etc and we don’t pay but I see others who are paying at different places so I’m wondering what they are getting that we aren’t. Thanks!

@ourturn2 - I think the main advantage of the “pay to play” internships is that they are often at a very prestigious equity theater (Barrington Stage, Hangar Theater, Williamsport) where students get some kind of training in addition to performing some limited ensemble roles or in Theater for Young Audiences shows, and they offer the ability to earn the EMC points. In addition to that training and performance opportunity, they receive EMC points and that theater on their resume. Those EMC points are valuable when they graduate because they allow new professionals to get some benefits in terms of Equity auditions, while still allowing them to work in non-union productions. It is a “bridge” between being AE and Non-Union, which is thought of as ideal for most who are just starting out.

My D did a non-EMC summer stock company last year (paid, housed and fed - but no EMC points) and had a good experience that built her resume. She has chosen a similar situation this summer, but was torn between the contract she chose and a pay to play EMC place. The places where you can get EMC points and NOT have to pay are getting rarer each season. The theaters can get people to pay and many need the income. My D took the non-EMC contract because the roles offered were not ones she wanted to turn down and there were directors that she really wanted to work with. It is a little scary though, since she may end up graduating next May with no EMC points, which has been a goal for her.

@ourturn2 Congrats to your D on booking her first summer gig. That’s exciting!

To try to answer your question: Some of the paid internships are at highly respected summer theaters who are affiliated with Actors Equity. The quality of the actors brought in for their productions and the ability to understudy them can be a plus. More often than not interns/apprentices are cast as understudies and/or ensemble in MainStage productions. They typically are the principal cast for theater for youth productions and this is their primary responsibility. If you don’t like doing children’s theater, that may not be the job for you. Some of these internships/apprenticeships offer training throughout the summer via daily or weekly classes and/or also master classes with visiting artists. So in a sense you can feel like you are paying for training. Some, but not all, internships/apprenticeships offer the opportunity to earn EMC points if they are an equity accredited theater. Make sure you understand how this opportunity works. Usually you can only earn EMC points for work done on MainStage shows. So if you only understudy one MainStage show for 4 weeks, you may only have the opportunity to earn 4 points even if your internship/apprenticeship is for say 12 weeks. I know some students who were confused/disappointed with the number of points they were able to earn. But I think still, for many, the chance to earn points is a big plus. There can be a difference in the ability to audition post grad for students who are EMC vs Non Eq as EMC will be seen after equity people but before Non Eq. That can be the difference in being seen or not in an open call.

Having said that, with all summer opportunities, really research them. They can really vary in terms of the pay, accommodations, and expectations; There are some where you may be needed to clean facilities, sell tickets, run concessions, etc…and In others, all you are expected to do is act. Neither is wrong. Just make sure you understand what your responsibilities will be and that you are comfortable with the compensation you are receiving or with what you are paying to be a part of it.

I think you should consider internships as training experiences that give you a chance to learn, perform, make connections, network, maybe add some credits to your resume. Whether yours is paid or unpaid, those opportunities are what people are seeking when doing an internship/apprenticeship.

^This is spot on. Make sure you check on how many EMC points your student will be getting. I know of some people who were interning for 10-12 weeks and expected that many points, but only ended up with 1-3.

Definitely pick the internship that will give you the best experience, training, and connections without being swayed too much by EMC points being earned.

The EMC point advantage is diminishing (in NYC anyway). If you are EMC at an EPA (Equity Principal Audition) you can sign up on a separate list and are third priority. Equity members have an online system to sign up for EPA’s, but that system is constantly overwhelmed, and Equity members struggle to get an appointment. Those Equity actors who couldn’t get in through the online system (or didn’t try for whatever reason) show up to the audition and are then alternates to fill in after the Equity members; they are second priority.

It has been very rare this year for EMC’s to be seen at EPA’s because of the alternate situation mentioned above. Yes, being EMC may get you seen once in a while, but it’s not the freeway to get an audition like it used to be, so I suggest choosing an internship based on experience, training, connections rather than whether or not they give EMC points.

Numerous times this season my kid has gone to EPA’s as an EMC where there was a good chance of being seen. Has been as early on the list as number three and five, and still not been seen. I would say that maybe three times this season EMC points helped at EPA’s. And two of those were “required EPA’s” that were one-day affairs which generally translates to: We’re not looking for any actors or replacements. My kid went knowing this, but wanted to get in front of the casting team anyway.

Also, it doesn’t matter how many EMC points you have for the above scenario. It could be one or 49, you’re still EMC. I get the point of earning your Equity card through EMC point accumulation (now 25 gets your card if you wish), but wanted to clarify that one point equals EMC.

@ourturn2 In addition to all that’s been said, I would add the advice not to place too much importance on the EMC points issue. As for these internships where the student pays to participate, I would recommend having a look at the Williamstown Theatre Festival website (not Williamsport as mentioned earlier: ), and I think it will become obvious why this is such a valuable experience for college students. It’s at the top of the heap, in my opinion, by a long shot for this type of summer experience. I know several actors who have done it in their college years and it has provided them not only with a terrific opportunity for those summers but also invaluable, life long connections. If you can afford it, I would highly recommend it over almost any other summer experience. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that these positions are easier to obtain. They are very competitive.

http://wtfestival.org/

Thank you all so much - that is very helpful!! My d didn’t seem familiar with the various types and there are so many different places and different opportunities that it’s overwhelming. We feel very lucky this year to have gotten something she’s really excited about (and she knows 2 friends who have done it and both loved it) but we are trying to get ahead of the game for next year so I appreciate the help. Hoping she can find time over the summer to do some research and come up with a list of places to look at next time so thanks also for the suggestions! The points thing just adds another level of complexity but at least we’re aware of it now so she can start trying to come up with a plan. Thank goodness we’ve got you guys to ask!

@alwaysamom - thanks for correcting my error - I intended to type Williamstown but caught it too late to edit.

Also, is anyone else amazed by the never ending series of hurdles these MT kids have to go through to chase their dreams?? Reading about the steps involved just trying to get an audition makes me realize how important those personal connections really are since coming in off the street sounds next to impossible?!

I agree as it doesn’t matter how many points you get from the equity theatre. As soon as you get any you are EMC. My daughter is EMC as she worked at her school’s summer theatre (which is a university equity theatre) last summer before freshman year & was in the ensemble of a show , thereby getting points (3-4 cant recall). So I I am glad she has them for the purpose of making after graduation auditions a BIT easier to be seen, albeit no guarantee obviously.