Auditions

OCT’s 2013/2014 general auditions will be held June 20 - June 24. Please call for an appointment after May 1st.

OCT is an award-winning professional theater company. However, we encourage actors at all levels of experience to participate in auditions. We hold general auditions annually in June and callbacks during summer and early fall.

OCT’S SEASON AUDITIONS

OCT holds general auditions for its professional, main stage season in June. Dates are posted on our Summer Acting Academy class brochures, as well as on our website. Typically we hold youth and adult auditions separately.

During auditions, you will be asked to present a prepared monologue (approx. one minute), have a headshot or current photo, and a resume. Youth actors will  participate in a group activity and then present monologue. We do not require a song for general auditions, and there is no accompaniment available. You may prepare a few bars of music to sing a cappella if you wish; not all auditioners will be asked to sing.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR OCT AUDITIONS

Make an appointment on or after May 1st by calling 503-228-9571. Bring your resume, headshot, and a prepared monologue:

  • RESUME: Include contact info, all shows you’ve been in (professional and non) with role listed and which theater company or school and director, any film/camera/voice work, all training/classes with company/school and instructors, as well as special skills and interests.
  • HEADSHOT: This can be a professional 8x10 headshot, or a current photo. Class photos work great. You do not need a professional headshot for OCT, as long as your photo is current and looks like you.
  • MONOLOGUE: Your monologue should be approximately 1 minute long and from a play. We will also accept monologues from books or poems for younger actors. However, as you move towards professional theater, you will need to present pieces from plays. Adults: we prefer a single contemporary monologue.
CALLBACKS

You won’t hear from us unless we want to call you back for a specific show. Most callbacks will be scheduled by October. If called back, we will tell you at that time what to prepare. Generally, you will be asked to do cold readings from the script and a song if being considered for a musical. Occasionally, we will have additional callbacks later in the season as needs arise, so we'll keep your information on file all year long. Please check back at the top of this page to find out if a particular show has been cast.

FAQ’S

Who will be at the auditions?

OCT’s Artistic Director: Stan Foote, and Educational Director: Dani Baldwin, will be at auditions. Occasionally we will have other directors present, as well as members of our Young Professionals program to assist you.

Who does OCT cast?

OCT casts age-appropriate (youth for youth roles, adults for adult roles). We look for professionals who are well-trained and fun to work with. Casting is a tough job – sometimes very talented people cannot be cast for various reasons.

What does OCT look for at auditions?

We look for actors who know how to present clear characters. We want physical actors who use their bodies in creating characters and who know how to use their voices with clear diction and projection. Actors ideally have a theater vocabulary so they’re able to take direction. These skills can be polished through solid, skill-building Acting Academy classes.

What if I can’t make the audition dates, or it’s past the audition dates?

It is rare that we can cast without seeing you at an audition. However, please send your resume, headshot and a cover letter to Stan Foote if you absolutely can’t make auditions, but still want to be considered for a role.

Does this count as my YP audition?

If you’re interested in Young Professionals, you can use this as the audition if you let us know ahead of time. However, you will still need to set up an interview with Dani Baldwin before August 6th: dani@octc.org, 503-228-9571 ext 106.

What’s the rehearsal schedule?

Rehearsal schedules may vary, but OCT shows generally rehearse Monday-Thursday evenings and Sunday days, beginning approximately 6 weeks before opening. If you have a smaller role, you might not be needed for the entire rehearsal process.

What’s the performance schedule?

OCT performs school and public shows. Please see our season schedule and our school performance schedule. All cast members will be expected to be available for all performances.

HELPFUL TIPS
  • Always arrive early to your audition.
  • Be you: We want to see who you are, your age and your personality. We want you to feel good about your audition and look forward to meeting you.
  • Have fun! Theater is fun, the more you show you love it, the more excited we’ll be to work with you.