Auditions in Theater Arts

From the 2022-23 Barnstorm Theater Company Directors:

Fall theater season is here! Our student-led, student-run, Barnstorm Theater Company will be putting on the only Theater Arts productions this quarter and will be holding auditions on the first Thursday & Friday of the quarter (9/22 and 9/23) in room. B100, Theater Arts Center.

• REQUIREMENTS NOTE: There will be 5-unit and 2-unit options for Barnstorm this quarter. ONLY the THEA 55A (5-unit) class may be used toward a requirement for the THEA major or minor. More information will be shared at the first Barnstorm meeting (see below).
   
• Are you interested in being involved in any tech positions? Fill out the Barnstorm online Tech Interest Form *HERE* and attend the first Barnstorm meeting (see below).
   
• ​BARNSTORM FIRST MEETING (for actors and people interested in tech and design positions): 
  Monday, September 26, 7pm in Rm. B100, Theater Arts Center. (See auditions info below, taking place earlier!)

Our shows are as follows:

The Wolves
by Sarah Delappe
The Wolves follows a high school girls indoor soccer team as they navigate trying to make it to nationals and their friendships with each other. From Cambodian dictators and the Khmer Rouge to abortion rumors and anxiety over college acceptances, this cast explores how young people are just as capable of considering global issues, and how teenagers unite in the face of conflict and trauma. (Please note, all of the characters are written as female but the directors are not strictly looking to cast the show with the genders as written. All are welcome to audition.)

Musical Theater Scenes
A recurring variety/cabaret show, MTS is a compilation of various musical theater scenes including song, acting, and dance. 

Audition Sign Ups:

• Now posted outside the Mainstage/A Building Green Room (behind the Theater Arts Center Mainstage). Signups are on a first-come, first serve basis.

Audition Dates, Times & Location: 

• Thursday, September 22nd,  6:30pm-10pm and
• Friday, September 23rd at 3:30-5:30pm, and 6:30pm-10pm
• Rm. B100, Theater Arts Center

Callbacks:

• Saturday, Sept. 24th (TBD, invite-only)
• Sunday, Sept. 25th (TBD, invite-only)

Audition Requirements:

MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

• 90 second monologue
• 60 second movement piece *
• 30 second music piece (voice and/or instrument) **

* MOVEMENT PIECE: Unless any of the auditioning shows are musicals, the movement piece is primarily meant to demonstrate that you are comfortable in your body on stage (or at least can act as though you are!), and that you are willing to move on stage vs. staying in a narrow comfort zone of standing or sitting in one place. The movement section also offers you an opportunity to demonstrate any particular movement or performance skill if you happen to have any—e.g., pantomime, clowning, acrobatics, juggling, dance. Otherwise, even jumping jacks, the macarena, running back and forth, etc., can show a basic willingness to move in front of people. If one of the auditioning shows is a musical, and/or if any of the directors want to see specific pieces or skills, there will be details above the sign up sheet or instructions will be given for those invited to callbacks.

** PLEASE NOTE: Accompanists are NOT provided. If you feel it necessary, you may play music with a portable music device, e.g., a smart phone with speakers or old-time boom-box, though this is not required (singing may be a cappella and movement pieces may be silent).

Questions or concerns? Email:

• Asta Baker: md.barn@ucsc.edu
• Justin Hammer: ad.barn@ucsc.edu
• Maddy Khachadoorian, Theater Arts Student Production Liaison: theaspl@ucsc.edu

ALSO:

24-Hour Theater is a one-act theater festival where participants divide into groups to write, rehearse, and perform an original piece in 24 hours. The inspiration for these one-acts will come from a poll on the Barn’s Instagram account based on a topic (previous topics have included poetry and paintings). 

24-Hour Theater is on a sign-up basis, no audition is required.

We hope to see you out there!

Asta Baker and Justin Hammer
Directors of Barnstorm Theater Company

• • •

MORE AUDITION INFORMATION

QUESTIONS ABOUT PRODUCTION AUDITIONS FOR THIS YEAR?

Contact the Theater Arts Student Production Liaison: theaspl@ucsc.edu

BARNSTORM GENERAL INFO

To inquire about auditioning or doing technical work for the student-run Barnstorm Theater Company, contact the Barnstorm Directors — https://ucscbarnstorm.weebly.com/contact.html.

• More information about Barnstorm can be found on the Barnstorm website: http://theater.ucsc.edu/production/barnstorm 

RANDOM WITH A PURPOSE GENERAL INFO

Auditions for the annual student-choreographed, student-performed, student-produced dance showcase Random with a Purpose (RWAP) usually take place the quarter BEFORE the production, separate from General Auditions. Students who are accepted via audition enroll in THEA 139 (THEA 139 fulfills an upper division requirement elective for the Dance Minor or Theater Arts major, or an upper division studio requirement for the Theater Arts minor). Please email randomdirectors@gmail.com with questions. The Theater Arts advisor can also answer basic questions about RWAP: theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu.

RELATED INFORMATION

BY-AUDITION OR INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION STUDIO COURSES

Production auditions are different from those required for admittance into our studio courses (courses which mention "audition" or "interview" in the course description).

• Please see the By-Audition or Instructor Permission Studio Courses of the Undergraduate Handbook for more information.

PRODUCTION REQUIREMENT FOR THE MAJOR

One of the requirements for the Theater Arts major is participation in a 5-unit THEA production. 

• Please see the Production Requirement for the Major section of the Theater Arts Undergraduate Handbook for more information on fulfilling this requirement as a performer, designer or dramaturg. 

TICKETING INFORMATION 
Current and upcoming performance and ticketing information can be found here.