CAST AUDITIONS, TECH CREW & ORCHESTRA REGISTRATION
Stewartstown Summer Theatre maintains a no-cut policy for its shows. Auditions are used to gain information about each youth’s acting, singing, and dancing ability and to cast them using their strengths. Auditions are held at the Stewartstown United Methodist Church, 26 South Main Street, Stewartstown, PA. Auditions, rehearsals, work sessions and performance are subject to state COVID-19 orders. We are committed to the safety of all who participate in summer theatre.
THE PROCESS, AT A GLANCE
YOUTHS AGED 12-19
ARE ELIGIBLE
Please Note
The age cut off birthday is September 30th. If you turn twelve before September 30th, you are eligible. You are not eligible if you turn 20 before September 30th. Those older than 19, are welcome to be a part of the technical crews, orchestra, or other areas of the production (see below).ACTORS
There are six audition sessions from which to choose. You must register for a session time by clicking on the link and following instructions. If you are not able to attend any of these six audition sessions, please let us know by email. A photograph of you, which will be used in the musical program, will be taken at the audition. Please view the audition videos below for tips on how to best prepare.
Please note: there is no “best” audition time – there is no benefit to choosing a particular session. Please chose the session that best fits your schedule.
Click here to registerSATURDAY, MAY 17
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- 10:15 am – 11:15 am
- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
- 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to complete the registration process and plan to stay the entire session.
WHAT TO BRING
- Make sure you complete the online audition form before you come.
- Your summer vacation/work/camp schedule filled out as complete as possible
- A wallet size photo of yourself (will not be returned)
- If you desire a speaking part:
- Selected readings will be made available via a shared link from the registration email in May
- If you desire a singing part:
- All youth will be asked to sing 16 bar from selections provided.
- Males will chose either We Beseech Thee or All Good Gifts
- Females will chose either Day by Day or Learn Your Lessons well
- These pieces will be made available via a shared link from the registration email in May
- All youth will be asked to sing 16 bar from selections provided.
- If you desire a dancing part:
- All youth will be asked to learn simple choreography.
- This will be taught during the audition session
- Please wear comfortable shoes for dancing.
- All youth will be asked to learn simple choreography.
- Your biography sheet for the program.
- If you are able to fill it out ahead of time, please do so.
- Your covenant.
- Both youth and parents must read and fill out the covenant prior to the youth being cast.
- If parents have questions they may be addressed at the Parent Sessions or by contacting the Admin Team (see below).
CONTACT THE ADMIN TEAM
717.746.6216
HOW TO GET READY FOR YOUR AUDITION
Presented by Eleanor Cromwell
YEAH… DON’T DO THIS…
WILL YOU KNOW ANYONE?
We have been very fortunate to have students from school districts all over the area. They include:
- Bel Air
- C. Milton Wright
- Eastern
- Fallston
- Hereford
- Home School
- John Carroll
- Kennard-Dale
- North Harford
- Red Lion
- Spring Grove
- Steelton-Highspire
- Suburban
- Susquehannock
- West York
- York Catholic
- York Tech
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CALLBACKS
- The production staff reserves the right to call back youth for further auditions.
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Callbacks will be on Sunday, May 18 in the afternoon.
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If we wish for you to return for a callback, we will notify you by phone.
AFTER AUDITIONS
- Youth and parents are asked to review and sign a covenant defining our relationship for the summer.
- The covenant must be signed and returned by Wednesday, May 21 in order to be cast for the show.
- The covenant also includes a $30 fee that covers the cost of all snacks, cast/crew meals, and the musical party (For families with more than one child, the fee is $25/child).
- Registration fee may be by cash, check or paypal to churchadmin@stewartstownumc.org
- After receipt of all covenants, the cast list will be posted on the website.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
- Rehearsals Begin Tuesday, May 27
- They are Mondays through Thursdays, starting at 6:00 pm & Sundays, 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
- Not everyone will be needed every evening. Full schedules will be posted on the production page and in the bulletin board outside Fellowship Hall.
- First full cast rehearsal is Sunday June 1 from 2:30 pm-6:00 pm.
- Cast must be available from July 20 – August 10.
- This is mandatory for final run throughs, dress rehearsals, performances, and set strike.
- Cast members are allowed a maximum of 10 absences.
- If you know you will miss more than that, consider Stage Crew, Tech Crew or other areas where we need assistance.
NOTES ABOUT CASTING
Each year, Stewartstown Summer Theatre welcomes new youth into our group. Casting a show is a challenging task. The production staff (including the director, choreographers, music director, and assistant director) work together to cast the show. We spend time in prayer, and then in discussion about each part, so we can make the best overall decisions for the good of the production. We want you to know our philosophy for casting. There are many factors to consider in casting a show. While talent is important, it is just one factor.
- We believe that all parts are of equal opportunity for anyone who auditions.
- We believe that we need to choose persons who can best complete the singing, dancing, and acting challenges that each role provides.
- We believe that anyone who comes through these doors is afforded equal opportunity for any and all parts.
- The only exception to this is for first year college students. If there is a high school youth of equal capability, we will choose the high school youth. This is especially true if that college student has had leading roles in past productions. We believe this allows younger cast members to flourish – just as the college students have in past shows. We value the leadership that our college youth provide during our production, and encourage them to help in other ways beyond the stage.
- We do not believe that anyone has earned special consideration based on prior years spent with SST. While this may be a common practice elsewhere, we feel it is not consistent with Biblical teachings.
- We believe that it is a wonderful opportunity to be in a show. Therefore, everyone who auditions and fulfills the Covenant will have a part.
- We believe that every person in this production is important, as an actor and as a person, regardless of the their part – on or off stage.
Each part of the body offers its services for the good of the whole.
I Corinthians 12: 12-18
TECH CREW
Lighting, Sound, & Stage
PARENTS
Information sessions will be held at the beginning of each audition session to explain how Stewartstown Summer Theatre is conducted, to review our expectations of youth parents and staff, and to answer any questions. On Sunday June 1 after rehearsal, we will hold a demonstration on navigating the website—calendar, absence form, service hour signup and shared folder with video, announcements and schedules. Please feel free to email or call if you have questions.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INVOLVED
- Costume Construction (May – August)
- Hair & Makeup (Dress Rehearsals & Performances)
- Office Help (May – July)
- Set Painting (June & July)
- Set Construction (June & July)
- Set Pieces (Flexible schedule – work on at your home)
- Patron Ads (May – June)
- Props Locating and Construction (June – July)
- Publicity (May – July)
- Tickets (July – August)
- Ushers (Performances)