On Sep. 8, Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre Company held auditions for their first play of the season, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.
When auditioning for an SnB show, you sign up for an audition slot, which is normally scheduled between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on a weekend. Auditions are typically held at Paterson Hall. When you arrive, you are greeted by members of the Board of Executives, and asked to fill out an Information Form. A board member will then lead you into the audition room, where you will then audition in front of the director and the two stage managers. In your audition, you will be asked to read a monologue that you have prepared, and may be asked to perform a cold read of part of the script. The production crew may also ask you to perform a song, or showcase a talent of yours.
“Everyone in the process is pretty friendly, from the folks meeting you in the lobby to the production team in the audition room,” says actor Nicholas Hepner. “Walking into that room can be a bit nerve-wracking, even after all these years. But not in a bad way, it’s more like excitement.”
Hepner’s a veteran member of SnB. He will be playing Benedick in Much Ado.
“It has definitely gotten easier to go through with auditions,” Hepner says. “The very first show I auditioned for was As You Like It. I really had no idea what to expect, I just memorized my monologue the night before and just hoped for the best. Somehow I managed to get my way into that show, and it was great.”
After the initial auditions are callbacks. You get invited to these if the production team wants to see more of your acting. At callbacks, the production team gets a better read of the actors; they facilitate ice-breakers and energizers, cold-reads, chemistry tests and more. Afterward, the production team sits down and discusses who from callbacks fits into their play’s roles. They then choose their cast and make a cast list.
It’s likely that not everyone from callbacks will get a part, but all people auditioning are encouraged to come out again for the next show or volunteer.
Jeffrey Wu is a newcomer to the Sock ‘n’ Buskin who will be playing Antonio and Watchman #3 in the upcoming show.
“Auditioning for Sock ‘n’ Buskin for the first time was very scary and intimidating, but with such kind, energetic, and friendly [people], I was able to gain the confidence and do my best with little to no hesitation,” Wu says. “Join Sock ‘n’ Buskin! It’s definitely worth your time.”
While the cast of Much Ado About Nothing begins their first rehearsals, the production teams for Almost, Maine and The Mousetrap will be holding their auditions on Sep. 30th. Audition slots are filling up fast, so be sure to book yours soon.