Wichita Community Theatre

Congratulations on deciding to audition! Here’s generally how an audition works at Wichita Community Theatre (and at nearly all non-professional theatres in the US). Directors may modify this slightly, however, it will always be announced in the audition notice if that is the case.

No previous preparation is required for most all straight plays. Musicals and musical revues typically require a prepared song, and sometimes classical works require a prepared monologue. This is rare, though, and it will be announced in the audition notice.

It’s a good idea to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out an audition form. This will include your name, contact information, any previous roles and any rehearsal conflicts. The director will use this to pair up people for scenes. You will not be required to come on both days of auditions, nor are you penalized for doing as such. Depending on the number of people at auditions, the director may call you back to audition again at a future date.

The director will then set up a few groups of people to go out of the stage area to practice a scene. You typically read through that scene with your selected partner(s) a couple of times, then you come back in and wait your turn.

When your group is up next, you move to the stage area and present the scene. Some actors like to move around the stage while they read. This is not required.

Dress is casual to business casual. Jeans and a t-shirt is fine, or a blouse and slacks/skirt. You may wear whatever is most comfortable for you.

If you have any specific questions about what the director is looking for (like age ranges, ethnicity, height), you may contact him or her directly.

Of course, we cannot cast everybody that auditions for each show. Thankfully, there are many other ways to volunteer at Wichita Community Theatre, and all of them are very important. Here are some of our off-stage opportunities:

Off-stage, technical:
This includes stage managing and running lights and/or sound. No previous experience is necessary. In order to do these tasks, one must contact the director of each production around audition time. He or she will select technical help from the available volunteer community.

Off-stage, non-technical:
This includes Saturday work day participation, and working the snack bar and/or box office during the run of a show. In order to do these tasks, you simply email the volunteer coordinator back when the volunteer newsletter is sent out. We also have a poster design contest for each season. Contact the volunteer coordinator for more information.

As always, thank you very much for volunteering your time to help Wichita Community Theatre be a shining example of active volunteerism in Wichita’s vibrant arts community.

Thanks,
Ben Blankley
WCT Volunteer Coordinator