A1 auditions

So I read about these A1 auditions and was wondering , should my D be learning about them in her program? She’s a freshman MT & didnt seem to know about them but I know a few schools seem to encourage the kids to apply to this and try to get a callback for Jan? Wondering why they aren’t bringing it up…

Schools vary in the amount of awareness and support that they offer in assisting their students with summer audition opportunities. Some have direct associations with on-campus or “very local” summer stock programs and focus mostly on those opportunities for their students. Some host several summer stock auditions from programs in the surrounding area. Some promote the smaller regional auditions such as Ohio Theatre auditions, Ilinois Theatre Auditions, etc. Some vigorously promote attendance at very large regional/national auditions such as SETC, Midwest, and Strawhats. A1 is a relatively new program that is gaining traction and interest at some schools. Unfortunately, some schools don’t do much at all to help their students with summer stock auditions.

It is not atypical for Freshman to be somewhat “behind the curve” on all this stuff, especially in their first semester. At some schools, faculty purposely try to avoid the topic of summer stock for Freshman in an effort to avoid adding to the stress of their first year in college.

Trying to figure out how to optimally fit the signup/submissions efforts and travel to professional auditions into very crowded BFA (and BA) MT classwork and rehearsal/performance schedules can quite challenging, especially for Freshman, and especially if your school is not particularly forthcoming with announcements and information sessions on available opportunites.

A great source of information at any school regarding summer stock tends to be the upper-division students. Asking faculty members for advice is also usually a good idea.

thanks @EmsDad . I just know in MT you cant be behind the eight ball. I mean in college as a freshman I know you arent expected to be on top of all this but at some point my D will need to be in tune to what is being offered. I want her to start realizing this is the beginning of lots of research and being attuned to whats available. I mean I know freshman dont always get callback for summer stock but some do.

This is only the 2nd year for A1s. Don’t fret. Your D’s school may be more focused on StrawHats or NETC / SETC / UPTA auditions, or may encourage students to audition after sophomore year. Every program is different.

@theaterwork your D’s school also has its on summerstock. I’d be willing to bet they heavily recommend their own program.

I would encourage your daughter to apply if she hasn’t already. It’s a great way to get in front of many of the top theatres and casting agents in one weekend.

Any idea how video submissions would rate against in person auditions ?

@desertrat Good question. A parent posted on another thread that his/her son did a video submission last year and got an audition slot.

Yes…that was me! Last year they didn’t visit college campuses and had in person auditions in select cities like NYC, Boston and I think Florida. They claimed there was no difference between how they judged in person vs video submissions last year. This year because they held in person auditions at 25 college campuses, it seemed more competitive, so my S did the in person audition since they came to his school. I assumed they weren’t notifying anyone until AFTER they auditioned at all campuses, but they have been accepting, waitlisting and rejecting after each audition.

We’re a little confused about the A1 auditions and the website isn’t very detailed! The submission asks for a resume and headshot. It doesn’t mention a video pre-screen. Is that requested later?

If you click on submit, you’ll see all the dates and locations for the live prescreens and the option to do a taped prescreen if you can’t attend one of those.

@livetoday, like @CTDramaMom says above – if you click submit you can see the application and there are boxes to check for your pre-screen location and also a box to check if the student plans to do a video submission. If the student wants to do a video prescreen, he/she should submit the application, complete with headshot, resume, and fee. After A1 receives the application, they will send out an e-mail telling the specifics for the video prescreen. They review the videos on a rolling basis, so sooner is better than later, but the deadline is December 1.

Thank you @janne006 Do you know if the video prescreen includes a monologue and/or dance combination?

@livetoday I don’t know exactly what the video prescreen includes, but here is what a rep from A1 said, "We typically require actors to complete the submission process as detailed on our website (application, Headshot/Resume, payment) before we send out the Video Submission requirements. Once we receive all the necessary materials they will receive a detailed email from me with all the pertinent information. However, I can tell you we do not require any monologues, & we only ask actors to dance if they consider themselves strong dancers. "

They auditioned at Hartt for the in-person pre-screens and my D got her acceptance for the Jan. audition that same evening, so they definitely are not waiting to inform people. Others at her school were accepted, some were declined and a couple of waitlisted, so I think they aim to give everyone an answer quickly. My D is excited just to have an opportunity to audition, and it is nice that it is in January when she is on a longer break. Strawhats and NETC being the same weekend this year is going to be a little nutty.

The NYC January auditions are MLK weekend, which is so nice… they can travel & audition w/o missing too much school.

D and I are so disappointed: on-campus auditions at UArts were last night, and my D is really sick and couldn’t go. She thinks she could’ve maybe mustered enough to sing (definitely not at her best, though, so probably not a good idea), but the dance call was out of the question. (She was diagnosed with mono Monday—I’m actually staying with her right now.)

@myloves Ugh! Your D has had her share of serious illnesses! I hope she feels better. D2 and D3 had mono at the start of the school year last year. The first quarter was NOT fun. Healing thoughts and prayers for her!

@myloves I understand. It’s so disappointing when they are sick on audition day! Two years ago my daughter was sick at SETC auditions. She could hardly talk and croaked when she sang. It was awful. Another girl in her program had the flu, and she dragged a blanket everywhere she went and lay in the halls. I hope your daughter is back to good health soon!

@myloves, I hope your daughter feels better soon!