Sitting on pins and needles here too my d was just cast in a main stage show as a freshman but still has no slot at straw hat or NETC. Sunday the fingerlakes summer stock are coming to her school fingers crossed she will get some interest there.
My D got notified of her audition for Strawhats about a week ago, no word from NETC yet. She thought A1 was very worthwhile, that the competition was insanely fierce, and her only complaint was that the room where she had to learn the dance call routine was so severely packed that movement was limited and she strained a hip flexor trying not to get trampled - dance call subsequently didn’t go so well…She felt the workshops were very valuable.
My D is a Song/Monologue person, not a dancer. She has her audition on the Friday, and was thrilled because it won’t conflict with NETC that way.
Same question as @Meanasmom… has anyone heard back from Strawhat? When does NETC get back to kids? And bonus question, what are the chances of freshmen being selected for either Strawhat or NETC? Suggestions of where else my son should be looking for summer employment?
I remember reading that notifications come out for NETC about 3 weeks prior to scheduled auditions. For Strawhats D was informed anytime after January 1.
Break a leg to all those auditioning at UPTA this weekend!
I know of 1 boy who heard from strawhats via online portal yesterday - is anyone else still waiting?
Yes, still waiting on Strawhats! Very frustrating- beginning to think it’s not looking very promising-
Strawhats are tough for freshman (particularly females) unless you have a very impressive resume or are going to a tippy top school, or are a type that they think they have fewer of. Don’t be too discouraged. My DD was really disappointed that she didn’t get a slot as a freshman, but did a community theater show and a 6 week Shakespeare intensive that summer to get more experience, got a spot as a Sophomore, and booked a resident company with lead/ supporting roles in 3 shows from it. I think her spot was approved quickly this year because she had booked through Strawhats last year. If you have a kid who doesn’t get a spot, there are so many other ways to book work, or do something else that will add to your training. Strawhats is great, but it isn’t the only way to go.
Any suggestions on what else she can do this summer? She’s very talented( I know I’m biased, lol) but her college, although a top mt program, is very small with lots of mt kids, so performance opportunities are very limited. She is trying so desperately to get experience, but it’s a catch 22 because people don’t look at you without it.
@duxellen She can always do self submissions to theatre companies she is interested in. Have her look at the seasons and if there is something she is really right for- submit! Never hurts to try. 
My D is still waiting to hear from Strawhats and NETC. She’s a freshman, but has a strong resume with many professional credits, an NYC agent, and she’s EMC. I was hoping that would be enough to get her a slot, but maybe not?
Self-submit. Self-submit. Self-submit.
Most professional theatres take unsolicited submissions (they will usually tell you in the call if they don’t). Look up their casting calls and send in your stuff through their email - always include a link to a short audition style video OR a reel.
Worst case scenario is that you are deleted without being looked at - but a good email tracker will tell you if it has been opened/viewed.
.^^This, 100%. My kid gets lots of appointments by doing this. Not just through Actor’s Access or Backstage, but direct email. Like THC said, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
My Daughter received a Standby position for StrawHat Auditions in the mail today. I thought it was interesting that the notice came by mail (in her SASE) and not by e-mail.
That’s awesome! Just told my daughter to check her mail at college( they rarely do since they live in such a digital world)!
My Daughter is at college but she used her home address so the letter came here. Last year her rejection and refund came in her stamped-self-addressed envelope, so I was dismayed when I saw her handwriting at first. Very glad to see the standby notice!
@janne006 when did your D apply to strawhat? My D hasn’t heard back yet so wondering where they are in terms of sending out decisions.
@theaterwork She applied as soon as the application went live – there was a delay this year as the website was updated – so she just kept checking back. My impression is that if you don’t get a “yes” or a “no” within a reasonable amount of time, they are holding on to the application until more come in – sort of being unofficially waitlisted. Strawhats promises to review all applications, so they can’t give all the slots away before the application closes and all the apps are in. The application closed Friday at noon, I think, and she received her “standby” appointment in the mail today. Last year she received a “no” from Strawhats on February 12. Interestingly, friends from her school received a “yes” from StrawHats immediately – a guy and a girl. So while applying early is probably a good idea, I think a lot of it comes down to what they want their audition group to look like, in addition to talent. I think they want half male and half female, so right away it’s harder for women to get slots since so many more women apply. I think they also want a variety of types represented. This is my “armchair” analysis, but they explain some of this on their website under the FAQ. (FWIW: My daughter and her friends are all seniors who have had good educational roles and at least 2 previous summer stock seasons.)
@janne006 Can you ask your daughter to log in and look at her dashboard and see what her status shows? My daughter’s still shows “Hardcopy Received Waiting for Strawhat Panelist to Approve.” I’m wondering if that status is updated when they send out the decision via mail. I keep watching the price of flights go up day by day!!