Auditions

Auditions

Auditions are open to everyone and are held at the Ashtabula Arts Center. You do not need prior theater experience to try out for a show. If you are not cast in an on-stage role, please consider volunteering on the backstage crew. Working behind the scenes at a show is a tremendously valuable experience for any performer – and a successful production is as dependent on the backstage team as it is on the cast.

There is no cost to audition for or take part in a G.B. or Straw Hat show. Please direct audition questions to Kimberly Godfrey, Director of Theater & Music, at (440) 964-3396.

Please bring a list of calendar conflicts for the director of the show you’re trying out for. Commitment is important, and the success of a production relies heavily on everyone from leads to ensemble being responsible and consistent in showing up for rehearsals.

Upcoming Auditions

Auditions for Straw Hat Theatre 2024

Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & Sunday, March 17, 4-7 p.m. Auditions for all 4 shows will be held on these dates.
Appointments encouraged; walk-ins welcome. Call (440) 964-3396 to schedule an appointment. Please come prepared with a song in the style of the show and a list of calendar conflicts. All Straw Hat shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

The online audition form is now closed. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out a printed form .

Footloose
Roles available for teens & adults (actors as young as 12 will be considered and may audition.)
Callbacks (by invitation only): Tuesday, March 19
Rehearsals will begin April 8 and will generally be held Monday-Thursday between 6-9 p.m., with some Saturday a.m. or Sunday p.m. rehearsals.
Tech week: June 2-6 (All actors are expected to be present for tech week)
Performance dates: June 7-9 & 14-16, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Kimberly Godfrey Warren

Disney’s My Son Pinnochio JR
roles available for ages 7-17
Callbacks TBD
Rehearsal start date TBD
Rehearsals will generally be held Monday-Thursday
Tech week: June 23-27 (All actors are expected to be present for tech week)
Performance dates: June 28-30 & July 5-7, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Lisa Lowery

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
roles available for ages 15 and up
Callbacks (by invitation only): March 19 or 20
Rehearsals begin May 28
Tech week July 14-18 (All actors are expected to be present for tech week)
Performance dates: July 19-21 & 26-28, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Mary Ann Kline

A Man of No Importance
roles available for age 30 & up
Callbacks (by invitation only): Tuesday, March 19
Rehearsals begin June 17
Rehearsals will generally be held Monday-Thursday between 6-9 p.m.
Tech week begins August 4-8 (All actors are expected to be present for tech week)
Performance dates: August 9-11 & 16-18
Directed by Stephen Rhodes

Audition FAQs

Know what you’re auditioning for: read about the show and familiarize yourself with the characters; you’ll find these details on the website for the licensing company that holds the rights to the show (MTI, Concord Theatricals, etc.) Choose a song or a monologue that fits the character you want to play. You should have your audition material memorized (the exception is an audition where you’ll be asked to read from the script.) It’s ideal to bring sheet music to a musical audition so the director can hear if you’re able to match pitch with the piano and what key you’re singing in. If you’re unable to bring sheet music, recorded accompaniment on your phone is fine, but it must be instrumental only – no vocals.
Look up other songs by the show’s composer(s), and choose one that’s age appropriate. Avoid pop songs; they don’t generally show off a singer’s full range as well as a theatrical song, and they also don’t typically have a storytelling element.
Young children can sing nursery rhymes or school songs, or tell a funny story about something that happened to them. With little ones, directors are looking at how clearly they can understand speech, whether children can project, and if they’re animated and engaging.
Don’t panic! Even seasoned performers can make mistakes – directors aren’t looking for perfection in your audition. It’s perfectly fine to be nervous, or to have to start a song or monologue over.
Calendar conflicts don’t necessarily mean you won’t be cast. You will be expected to be present throughout tech week and at every performance. It’s always best to keep conflicts during the rest of the rehearsal process to a minimum, but they’re much less of a problem when the director is made aware of them in advance and can take them into account when planning the rehearsal schedule.
The timeline for casting is different for every show and director. Directors aren’t just considering how each person fits a particular character, but also how they interact with each other. Casting is as much about actors’ chemistry with each other as it is about individual performances. Directors also consider how closely auditioning performers fit their vision for a show. Callbacks are always a possibility, but don’t happen for every show, or even every character within a single show. In short, the timeline to hear back can vary tremendously from one show to another.