We want everyone who attends a live theatre performance to thoroughly enjoy that performance. Below are a few items that will greatly enhance the experience for all concerned.

Some Things to Remember

• Arrive early, or on time. If you arrive late, you may not be seated immediately. It is a distraction for both the performers and the audience when late-comers arrive.
• No photography or recording devices of any kind during a performance due to copyright laws.
• Turn off cell phones, pagers, beepers, alarms, anything that can disturb the production, actors and the audience members during the performance. If you must take an emergency call, leave the auditorium and only begin speaking to your caller once you are away from the rest of the audience.
• We love children of all ages; but if they begin to fuss, fidget or cry, please respect the audience and actors and take your child to the lobby.
• Please do not allow children or adults to play in the aisles during the performance.
• Dress appropriately. Many like dressing up for a performance, especially in the evening. This is a special event. Feel free to take advantage but be aware that hats can impede sight lines. On occasion, the theatre can be slightly chilly due to air flow.
• No talking or whispering during the performance.
• No chewing gum or eating during the performance. In the theatre snacks are at intermission. Also, no drinking, smoking, or hats on during a performance.
• Clap with enthusiasm. Show appreciation by clapping. The actors love to hear applause. This shows how much you enjoyed it.
• Do not put your feet on the seats in front of you.
• Do not walk on the stage at any time.
• Do not rest your feet on the stage.
• Do not leave your seat until the cast has taken their curtain call at the end. When the performance ends, wait patiently to exit.
• Spread the word! Tell all your friends what a great time you had. Live theatre depends on your support.

Audition Etiquette

• Dress professionally according to the audition requirements. No costumes please.
• Arrive early. “To Be Early Is To Be On Time, To Be On Time Is To Be Late, To Be Late Is To Be History.”
• The audition starts the moment you walk through the door. It is important to be courteous to everyone involved in the audition process.
• BE PREPARED. Being prepared is part of being professional.
• It is not customary to shake the hand of those seated behind the table. A genuine “Hello” when you enter the room and a polite “Thank you!” when you exit leaves the politest impression and keeps everything on a professional level.
• Listen carefully to instructions from the auditors.
• When you attend an audition, accept the circumstances you bring with you. It’s never a good idea to make excuses such as: “I have a cold”, “This isn’t my music”, “I worked late”, “I couldn’t find the building”, or “This is my first audition ever!”
• Don’t ask inappropriate questions like “Did you like me?”, “When are callbacks?”, or “When will the cast list go up?”
• Don’t limit your thinking and precast yourself for any one part; audition well for any role.
• Be willing to accept any role.
• Be professional when learning of the audition outcome. There may not always be an answer that will satisfy the question of “why?”

Headshots

• Kids Who Care does not require headshots, but encourages everyone to bring a photo of themselves to auditions.
• Make sure your picture looks like you do today.
• Make sure that your resume is securely attached to the back of your headshot.

What is a Headshot?

• A headshot is a professionally-taken portrait of the actor from the shoulders up.
• Actors use headshots as the calling card that they leave with a casting team to remember who they are.
• A headshot should be printed on the reverse side of an 8.5 by 11 resume.
• A headshot should be in color.

Resume

• Kids Who Care does not require, but encourages, a resume at auditions.
• Your resume is an overview of your performance history.
• Your resume should be one page long, listing your most current accomplishments. Don’t worry if the experience is limited.
• Include your name, email, and phone number.
• Never lie on a resume.
• Keep the format simple and easy to read.
• Your resume should be printed on or securely attached to the reverse side of your 8.5 by 11 headshot.

Movement Auditions

• Always arrive early to a movement audition to allow time to stretch before the audition begins. Warming up is your responsibility.
• Wear flexible clothing that allows you to have a full range of motion, but does not swallow your body. It is important to see the way your body moves.
• Wear close-toed shoes that allow optimum movement.
• Learn to adapt to any given space. Be courteous to your neighbor when learning the combination, but be prepared to “own” the space when you are called forward to audition!

Slating

• An actor introduces themselves to the casting panel by slating.
• A proper slate includes: Greeting, “Hello!”
• Full Name, “My name is . . .”
• What you are doing, “I will be performing a monologue/song from (name of show).”

Vocal Auditions

• Wear professional attire.
• Prepare a verse and chorus 30 – 40 seconds of a song that best showcases your ability. You don’t have to start at the beginning of the song.
• Make sure that your music is clearly marked for the pianist and in the correct key.
• Singers are not just vocalists, but actors as well. Know the story behind the music you select.
• Use single sheet music.
• Large vocal books are difficult for a pianist to use.
  Please do not use Kids Who Care Original Songs.
• Resource: musicnotes.com You can change the key of your song and listen to the accompaniment on this website.

Acting Auditions

• Select your piece from a legitimate play or published poem.
• Keep it short. A 30 – 45 second monologue is sufficient to show your ability.
• Take your time. Don’t rush the moments in your audition piece.
• Use vocal confidence and projection.
• Remember that acting is reacting. Don’t just recite words.
• Monologues from a Kids Who Care Original Musical are allowed.
• Don’t rely on props, costumes or jokes to show comic timing.
• Resource: Fort Worth Public Library Play Selection.