Production Overview

First, read this entire page on the audition process and our conflict policy! Note that links to all specific forms and scheduling pages can be found on the production’s main page.

Next, please log in to your Acting Studio Productions Account to register for a production. There is a $150 Non-Refundable Audition Fee that you must pay prior to auditioning. That $150 will go toward your tuition for the show.

If this is your first show with us, you’ll need to create your Studio Director account first.

• For our Grapevine/ Frisco/Keller students, your Productions account is separate from your Studio Director account used for class tuitions. Log into your Productions account by clicking here.
• For Rockwall students, your classes and productions are under the same Studio Director account. You can click here to log in to your account.

Once you’ve completed the first two steps:

• You can schedule an audition time if there will be live auditions for the show.
• If there are only video auditions, you do not need to schedule anything.

Check the production’s main page for details on rehearsal and performance dates, and determine when you have ANY conflicts during ANY of the proposed rehearsal times.

Next, complete the online audition form for your production. The directors must have this submitted in advance of your audition time, so they can review your conflicts.

All students are required to audition in order to be considered for Acting Studio Productions. Please see the Audition Details section on your production’s main page for specific information regarding how and when we will hold auditions.

If the director needs to see anything further from you after your audition, you will be invited to callbacks. During callbacks, we may have you dance, read from the script and/or sing from the show. Most materials will be given to you at your initial audition or at the callbacks, so you won’t need to prepare anything in advance. Should the directors want you to prepare anything, materials will be provided ahead of time online.

Callback times are noted on your production’s main page in the Audition Details section. If you are called back, you will be given a specific time to attend. You may or may not be needed for the entire callback time. If you are not asked to callbacks, don’t despair. It simply means that we have seen all that we need to see to know exactly what role is right for you.

We will post the cast list on the website as soon as the show is cast, which can take anywhere from a few days to a week or so following auditions. All roles are open, and we do not pre-cast anything for our shows. Our philosophy is that there is no such thing as a small part. Every role and every person in the cast is equally important. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere to support our philosophy, where professionalism is the standard and everyone feels included and special.

As an actor, commitment to the moment is everything. As directors, it is the number one thing we look for in casting. Commitment to your craft, to the rehearsal process, to yourself, to your cast mates—it all comes down to your commitment to excellence. This is what the Acting Studio and our productions are about.

IF YOU ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN A LEADING ROLE, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU NOT TO AUDITION.

When are rehearsals?

Rehearsals will be held as noted under the Rehearsal Details section of your production’s main page. Our complete rehearsal calendar will be updated with details as dates approach. We won’t post exactly who is called to each rehearsal until shortly before that date. Assume you could be called to any rehearsal.

Mandatory rehearsals include our 10 of 12 and tech week rehearsals, as noted on your production’s main page under Tech Week Details. ALL cast members are expected to attend!

Where are rehearsals?

Rehearsal locations will typically be at a student’s home studio unless otherwise noted.

Are all rehearsals mandatory?

If a rehearsal is marked MANDATORY on the calendar, then yes, you must be able to attend. Because we don’t know casting details in advance or who will be called to which rehearsals, you should consider that all rehearsals and performances are mandatory.

That being said, you will only be called to rehearsal when you are being used. Every week or so during a production, we will update who is called to each rehearsal and at what specific times.

What if I have conflicts?

We expect that some of our cast will have a handful of conflicts, but it’s important to realize that conflicts will affect casting. That’s why we ask you to be sure to review your other activities and note ALL known conflicts with specific dates & times on your audition form.

ALL KNOWN CONFLICTS MUST BE APPROVED. Any unexpected conflicts must be discussed with the director in person and may affect whether or not a student may continue with the production. The only conflicts that will be accepted are those listed on your audition form and/or discussed with the director prior to casting the show. Unexcused absences and/or tardiness will result in dismissal from the production with no refund of tuition.

Tuition varies by type of show, so please refer to your production’s main page.

Fees

For most main stage musicals, there is a $150 Non-Refundable Audition Fee due prior to your audition that will go toward the balance of your show tuition if you are cast. If we are unable to find a role for you, we will refund your $150 Audition Fee. If you are cast and choose not to participate in the show (for whatever reason), your Audition Fee will not be refunded.

Tuition Installments

Tuition is automatically charged to your Acting Studio Productions account and is used to pay for show royalties, rental of the theatre, set, props, costumes, musicians, programs, and so on. Please make sure the credit card information on your account is updated.

Tuition is typically paid for main stage shows in installments. The amounts and auto-charge dates for each installment will be listed on your production’s main page.

Requirements

In order to participate in a production, a student MUST be enrolled in at least one technique class at the Acting Studio (with the exception of our summer production).

We also require each student family to sell at least one 1/2-page program ad ($75 value). (If you have multiple children in a production, you are only required to sell one ad.) Program ads are a wonderful way for local businesses to advertise OR for parents/students to send well-wishes to their special cast mate. You’ll be able to submit your completed ad online on this site.

Are there any other costs?

Each student receives a show t-shirt and 2 complimentary tickets for the run of the show, so the only other anticipated costs for the production are any additional tickets you need.

Allow me to be honest—the truth is that within the ‘business’ of what we do there is a lot of disappointment and what feels to us like rejection. When you audition, you put yourself out there, and you take a risk. YES! THAT IS GOOD! Sometimes it pans out the way you want it to and everything is wonderful and you are on top of the world. Sometimes it doesn’t and you feel like you’re ‘not good enough’ or the director doesn’t like you or that you should just give up altogether. NO! WRONG! It just means that there is something else you are meant to do right now. It is my personal hope that you as young actors can grasp this at an early stage in your journey. Don’t take it personally. 90% of the time it is about who you know, whether or not you have the right look for the part, whether you fit the costume, how tall/short you are compared to others in the cast, whether or not you are easy and pleasant to work with, and so on. The talent part really only makes up about 10% of the deciding factor.

Why do I bother to say all this? Because I want you to be prepared for the outcome of these auditions and the reality of the business. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO AUDITION. That is the only way we can learn and grow! And one show is not the be-all and end-all of theatre; it’s simply an opportunity for you to gain theatrical performance experience.

Every audition is an opportunity for me to learn, to grow and to show off what I can do! I have a rule for every audition—I go in and give it everything I’ve got. If I have done my best, then I feel good about it and I know that whatever happens is now out of my control. But the point is I feel good about the work I did in there. If it wasn’t my best, I take one hour to learn from it. ONE HOUR. Not the rest of the day, the rest of the week, or the rest of my life to beat myself up over it—just an hour to say, ‘OK, next time I’m going to make sure I (do whatever it is I’ve learned that day)’. Because there is ALWAYS a next time.

Then when I hear (or don’t hear) back from the director/casting agent I give myself a day. ONE DAY. If I got the part I wanted, I celebrate! YES, I CELEBRATE MYSELF! Because I work hard, I put my heart into what I do and deserve to celebrate this moment! Then I get to work. Yes—it’s amazing to get the role of your dreams, but it is also a lot of hard work. I like to show up to rehearsals prepared and ready to work.

If I don’t get the part I wanted or don’t get cast at all, I allow myself one day to feel disappointed. ONE DAY. I pout, I cry, I go shopping, I go over all the reasons why I should be in this show. I allow myself to go through all the ugly emotions I have. I allow myself to just be. Then I get over it. Yes—you’re allowed to be disappointed, but you are not allowed to wallow in self-pity. It stunts growth. Find a positive outcome of the situation, and focus on that. Trust me, you will be a much happier and healthier person.

If you are not cast in the show and would like to help with the technical side of the show, please indicate so on your audition form. There is SO MUCH to learn from being behind the scenes!