I’m looking to make some connections with people who have been through the prescreen and audition process for NETC and StrawHat. I have a bunch of questions and no one in my network/ circle of people I know have the answers as no one has been to these auditions. If anyone has knowledge they could share I would greatly appreciate it, as I’m not sure where else to look or who else to ask. Thanks!
@jacoblaycock I attended both as an actor many moons ago, have attended both casting actors much more recently, and have students (from where I currently teach) attend most years.
What are your questions? I will do my best to answer them, as I am sure others will as well. 
@KatMT Hello there! My questions are about the overall process of the audition. What does the day look like when auditioning? How do they have the waiting room, what does the actual room/audition space look like? What to expect overall? I am also curious about the odds of passing the prescreen based on my type and experience. I’m 5’11" 18yo male baritone (chorus boy look), seeking apprenticeship/work to learn and expand on the craft. I have quite a bit of community/highschool credits as well as a recent ensemble credit from a professional dinner theatre in my area. My fear is that my lack of college education may get in the way- the past semester I took GenEd classes online rather than in person theatre classes, as the college is about an hour and half commute from my house and I don’t have reliable car just yet for that. I appreciate you replying and would love any information regarding these auditions you have to offer- thank you so much!
@jacoblaycock – It cannot hurt to apply to NETC and/or Strawhat. You may or may not receive an audition appointment if you apply, but you definately will not if you do not apply. Both NETC and StrawHat are application based for receiving an audition appointment. I am not sure if it is still the case, but in the past the hiring companies still have access to your application even if you do not get an appointment.
In terms of the auditions themselves, NETC is at a hotel in Natick, MA… the initial auditions take place in a ballroom. After you check-in you go to the waiting area, and they take you into the audition room in small groups to audition. You do your audition and after each session (usually about every 90-minutes if I am remembering correctly) they collect callback sheets from the ccompanies and post them. If you have callbacks your name will be on the sheets for those companies that called you back. Some have you meet them at a table to talk, some do more formal callbacks or information sessions in hotel rooms where the beds have been removed. Some companies may call people back to the dance call in the evening. No matter what time your audition is during the day, plan to stay late for callbacks… they can sometimes go rather late into the evening.
StrawHat is similar, with the exception that (at least in the past) it has been in a theatre space at Pace University in lower Manhattan. So, the audition is on a stage, and you wait backstage in your small group to come out onto the stage for your audition. The rest is run rather similarly with callback sheets being posted regularly, callbacks (in classrooms), a dance call.
Hope this helps, and Happy New Year!
So what’s the deal with being given a slot on the last day of auditions? So far, it looks like none of the theatres listed on the Strawhats page will even be there on the last day.