<p>Kiri, thanks, I was just asking for the future. Right now, she is an applicant to BFA programs so we are talking future summers, not this coming one. I can't think too much about it yet but was curious within the conversation above, since my D also will not be 18 but will have had a year of college in a BFA program (hopefully) by then. Right now she is 16 but is not looking into this and has summer plans. I just know she has talked of spending her college summers doing summer stock and I am hoping her age will not be a factor once she is a college student and the posts above made me wonder. </p>
<p>Susan, I'm afraid she may have some difficulty with summer stock, in most instances. Here's what the NETC description is for applicants:</p>
<p>Who is Eligible?
The Auditions are open to non-Equity Members and Equity Membership Candidates.
Equity Members are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be college students or adults, 18 years of age or older. High school students or those under 18 are not eligible.
Last year there were approximately 1,100 applicants of which about 700 were invited by NETC to audition.</p>
<p>This seems to be the standard for this type of auditions. There are issues surrounding students who are under 18 and for this reason, most of these theatre groups will not take kids that young. Some may make an exception but from the experience of everyone we know who's been involved in similar situations, it is very rare.</p>
<p>Susan,<br>
I agree with what alwaysamom says. Since the actors usually live with no supervision, and there usually are adults living with the college kids, most theaters don't want to take on the responsibility of a minor. The first summer my daughter did summer stock she was 16 and couldn't live in the dorms, they put her and another one of the college girls up with a family that lived nearby. The second summer they did let her live in the dorms,they looked the other way since they knew her. But it was definitely an eye opening experience for a high school student. When your daughter is 17 she will probably have better luck if she looks for work with someone that already knows her.</p>
<p>Doctorjohn - that's all my d needed to hear. She's played Annie twice already, and she's only 4'10. If any of those theaters are doing Annie, she will drag me kicking and screaming to the audition! I actually emailed one of the directors, who seemed quite nice. She said my d can still audition, but it is quite competitive. I think they don't feel a high schooler has quite the experience that the college kids have. And you ALSO get your audition fee back if you're not accepted. SO what the heck, right? Also, Doctorjohn, are you a college faculty member? I see your name here a lot and it seems like people are always asking for your advice! Just curious! :)</p>
<p>Yes, I am. Find one of my posts, click on my screen name, then click on "View Public Profile." I don't mean to be coy, but I've made it a rule not to mention my college unless it's required for clarity.</p>
<p>Soozie- FYI - my d was accepted for Strawhat auditions and she's only 17. I'm sure when your d is only 17 and in college it will be even less of an issue as she'll be done with school earlier in the year than my d will. (they also requested that info on the application; apparently, it didn't hurt her any.) I think the fact that she's 4'10 probably helped, if they needed "kids" for any of the productions.</p>
<p>Ross, thanks for letting me know. Frankly, this is the furthest thing from my mind as she is not even IN college yet but when I read about this here...and we have always talked about how in summers during college, she could go do summer stock some place other than here, and then I started to wonder if it will be an issue that she will be 17 that first summer after her first year of college, yet WILL be a college student. If they only go by age, could that be a problem? But it is good to hear your experiences so thanks! I know a girl in Cap who is 4'10" by the way. My D is auditioning there on Saturday. So, is your daughter going to go away and do summer stock this summer before entering college? Let us know what she gets!
Susan</p>
<p>Soozie- yes, she'll audition and try to get something in summer stock. (even though she'd probably make more $ working at the mall :) Good experience being away before she makes the BIG move to college! Of course, NYC is less than 2 hrs away from us, so it's not THAT far. Tell your d to BREAK A LEG! I hope you read my earlier tips on Cap21 auditions. I forgot if I private messaged them to someone or posted them here... early Alzheimers settling in....That would be so funny if they both ended up in CAP. Let me know how it goes!!!!</p>
<p>Ross, I can't recall if I read any tips you posted. I may have caught your Alzheimers? </p>
<p>Doing summer stock, as you know, is not about the money you can make, lol. Yes, it will be a great experience for her. My girls have gone away every summer and thus, college is not the first "away" experience. Perhaps some day my D will meet yours. Did your daughter do one of the dance (optional) auditions for Cap? That is what my D is going to this weekend.</p>
<p>Susan - my d didn't do the dance audition, although she did show up in dance attire! Thank goodness it was optional, since she is a singer/actress first. If she did dance, they might not have accepted her! (not being mean, just honest!) She's good at learning dance moves, but isn't "fluid" and hasn't taken much dance.</p>
<p>Hi theatermom - we submitted her application about 3 weeks ago and got notice about a week ago that her application was accepted. She will be 18 July 2, so no, she won't be 18 before rehearsals.</p>
<p>Typically, it's summer employment - sometimes actors are hired for a season, sometimes per show. Rehearsals can begin in mid-May - shows may end by mid-late August, sometimes slightly into September.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How long do the shows that are cast from the StrawHats usually run? Does anyone know?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There is no single answer to this question as there is great variation from theater to theater. Some theaters may hire you for the ENTIRE summer....could be late May to end of August or a variation of that. Some even have a "company" they hire of all college aged actors. Some theaters cast you for just one show in their season which may mean a commitment of just a few weeks or a month. Some may cast you in two productions in their season. Some may put on shows in repertory and thus you are performing in several shows throughout the season. So, it really varies. But many do hire you for the summer season which could start in late May, early June or late June, it depends.</p>
<p>As noted on another thread, StrawHats is now acepting applicatons for the March auditions. This fills up fast. If you say you are willing to have a "stand-by" time you will probably get one and then be able to audition. At least this is what I was told by them last year when my D applied.</p>
<p>My son is a MT freshman at Hartt. He will be applying to audition at Strawhat and NETC this spring. On his resume, should he put the large talent scholarship that he was given from his school? As a freshman he hasn't performed but he has worked behind the scenes in costumes and lighting. Should that be included on his resume also?</p>
<p>ajsurfs -
I would say Yes, as they're extremely competitive. Not sure if it will help any, but it couldn't hurt! I think they will make their decision 95% on the audition. They also look for stage crew, which is far less competitive.</p>
<p>The companies that are casting will make decisions pretty much completely on the audition. I cast for a summer theatre at strawhats and NETC. I will look at a resume to see if someone has played leading roles before, what kind of training they have had, where else they have worked (if I know the theatre I may make a phone call to get a sense of what they were like to work with), etc... but in general all decisions in terms of casting are based upon the audition, interview, and whether or not the person is right for our season. It is a very different process than college auditions. </p>
<p>The technical experience and the award on his application could help him get an appointment, however. Not all students who apply will get an audition appointment.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. He is going to send in the application for an audition this week. I have read here that it is very competitive to even get an audition appointment. He should have some extra time off this week due to the holidays and have time to get his resume and head shots sent off. It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to include the above mentioned items on his resume.</p>