<p>I searched past threads on this topic but I wanted to revisit the Strawhat auditions.</p>
<p>I was interested in doing these last year but due to many circumstances (one being that I was auditioning to transfer schools), I was unable to attend. I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight into these auditions. I know that it's for non-equity actors and many summer stock theatres attend. I also know that you have 90 seconds to present a monologue and song. I was just wondering if, those who have attended, could share their experiences about Strawhat?</p>
<p>Also, is it always held in March at Pace University in NYC? (I have checked the website for the 2010 dates but it has not been posted.) For the past few years, it seems to fall the week of my spring break and I am planning on visiting a friend who is attending NYU during this time. I just want to see if it would be worth my while to go to these auditions.</p>
<p>I am (hopefully) auditioning at the Florida Theatre Conference later this year for a chance to go to SETC but in case that does not work out, I want to have another plan.</p>
<p>I guess I have blabbered on enough for now... Thanks everyone!!!</p>
<p>A lot of the same theaters go to both NETC and Strawhats so I would do the one that occurs first( apply for both). NETC is usually held in the Boston area. My 2 cents. Good luck!</p>
<p>My S did the Strawhat auditions twice a few years ago. The one thing you need to know from his experiences is - you have to apply to get an audition, and as I recall there is a fee, and they are not only one or two days, due to call backs, so having them coincide with spring break is good. Call backs could be several days later. Not all who auditon get work, but my son was successful both summers. Look at who is going to be auditioning and do some internet research in advance. You may be deciding between a low/no pay ensemble at an equity theatre or a lead in a rural theatre, or an amusement park job. There are good and bads with each of these choices, so you need to decide how much $$ you meed to make, if getting equity points is more important than salary, resume building, etc.</p>
<p>It is very important to get your application in as early as possible. Even though Strawhats says they accept applications as late as – I think – February, audition spots are usually filled by that time. Even with an early application, not all are accepted.</p>
<p>Thank you so much all of you for your help!
I have been checking the website daily for updates.
Does anyone know when the application will be posted? I thought I read somewhere that they now post it in October but I want to double check!</p>
<p>Yeah same here… My spring break isn’t until a month after. Oh well… but I have other options for the summer so it’s not the end of the world…maybe next year!</p>
<p>They moved the audition up more than a month from where it has been the past few years. Last year it was aroung March 19th, this year it is February 14th.</p>
<p>So Strawhat happens to align with my February vacation this year (I’m a senior in high school) and I was debating attending it just to gain auditioning experience since I’ve never been to any big auditions. I’m going to be taking a gap year so I’d also spend that week in New York to check out schools. I’m only just 17 (won’t be 18 until next October) and don’t really expect to be called back.</p>
<p>None of this is set in stone and it’s all very up in the air, but I was wondering what any of you thought about this idea. Should I take this chance to gain some auditioning experience? Would they even let me audition since I’m 17?</p>
<p>First, you have to be selected to audition and it is not automatic. You apply to audition. My understanding is that you have to be 18 years old and so it is doubtful that you’ll get an audition. You may wish to clarify this with them before you go to the trouble and expense of applying. </p>
<p>In 2006, my daughter did audition that March at StrawHats at age 17 but they made an exception to review her application upon request because she would have been independent and on her own at college for a full year before summer stock that summer (she started college at 16). She did the StrawHat auditions and was cast that summer at a small Equity theater. But I know it was not automatic that she got into auditions and there was a communication with them with regard to her age and circumstances before the application went in and it turns out they did approve her to audition. I don’t think they take high school students who are 17, but call or email and ask them before you submit your application.</p>
<p>I knew it wasn’t an automatic audition and that there was a fee, but do you know if the fee is to apply or is it to audition if you’ve been accepted after you apply?</p>
<p>And in your personal opinion, do you think I should go for this? Assuming I’m able to apply and am accepted to audition, would this type of audition be a good opportunity to “get the feel” of auditions?</p>
<p>The fee is not what gets you into the audition. Not every applicant who applies will be chosen to audition. They screen the applicants. There is a fee just to apply. You should visit their site to glean the details. </p>
<p>I don’t think you should apply, nor pay the fee, without asking them first about if a 17 year old could audition. I feel pretty certain they will tell you no and so why waste money and time to apply. Check the rule before applying. Truthfully, StrawHats are attended by those already out of high school and either working or in college. I believe the rule is you must be 18. I know I told you of an exception they made but in my D’s case, she was already in college living on her own in NYC and not a high school student and they made an exception for that even though her age was not within their general rule. Ask them about this before you bother to apply. </p>
<p>While I do believe that attending auditions is a good thing to do…the more you audition, the better you get at auditioning. But for someone in HS, I don’t think StrawHats will be that opportunity for you to practice auditioning and it is doubtful that you’ll be given an audition. I do encourage you to do it next year when in college if you want to work in summer stock. </p>
<p>Meanwhile go to many auditions in your area to gain audition experience. </p>
<p>Also, NETC, which is similar to StrawHats, but held in Boston (near you) is a good idea but you won’t be selected this year by them either. They also have a rule that you have to be 18. Even though my D was going to be done one full year of a BFA prior to summer stock that year, they would not make an exception in this case (I spoke to them) whereas StrawHats said they would with a letter from a parent describing her situation of being 17 and completing freshman year at a BFA. So, NETC is not an option for you this year but will be next year. </p>
<p>I think this year, you’ll be busy with your college auditions! Also, audition locally for theaters for next summer. But yes, audition as much as possible to hone your audition skills which are a skill in themselves. </p>
<p>Remember, even if you were 18, NETC and StrawHats do not invite every applicant to audition. They screen applicants (such as a resume is involved in the application process).</p>
<p>Oh, I was aware that they screen applicants and not everyone gets an audition. I just wasn’t sure when the fee came in. So thank you for letting me know it’s an application fee! </p>
<p>The website says that they don’t usually accept under-18, but occasionally they do depending on what shows the theatres have scheduled for their seasons. So I thought I’d give it a go (contacting them first to check before applying and then knowing there’s still a chance I wouldn’t be accepted). And while I know it’s unlikely that a student right out of high school would be accepted during the screening, it’s not impossible (as past posts on the forum have shown).</p>
<p>Yes, it’s doubtful that I’d get an audition at this time. I don’t think I yet have the credentials they’d be looking for, even if I was 18. I was really thinking hypothetically and wondering if this could be a good opportunity to work on my auditioning skills. I think I’ll still email them and check if I can apply, but I think you’re right and it would probably be better to stick with auditioning locally. Maybe next year. :)</p>
<p>And I’m taking a gap year to gain more experience in musical theatre, so I’m not working on college auditions at the moment. Otherwise I’d be very behind right now! =]</p>
<p>Sounds like a plan! It never hurts to email and ask them directly before you proceed with applying. Also, there are other expenses as you live in MA and you have to pay to travel to NYC and stay overnight because the callbacks are in the evening of the day of your audition. </p>
<p>I did not realize you are taking a gap year but it is good that you are thinking ahead about plans and goals.</p>
Oh well… but I have other options for the summer so it’s not the end of the world…maybe next year!</p>