Audition Project
Professional theatre artists in Canada have long identified a fundamental
need for more and better audition opportunities and have been calling for
greater access to artistic directors, from coast to coast, north to south.
Canadian Actors' Equity Association (Equity) and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) are answering that call by the creation of a joint pilot project to increase audition access for Canadian artists.
The Audition Project will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 19 and 20 at the Dalhousie Arts Centre. Over the course of two days, 15 directors and artistic directors (listed below) from across Canada will audition up to 240 professional artists.
Auditions are open to members of Equity in good standing, and non-members who self-identify as Aboriginal or as a visible minority or as part of the ethno-racial community, and who also self-identify as professional artists.
Registration is now open to eligible artists living in the Atlantic region AND to eligible artists from across Canada.
A complementary artistic director forum examining audition access issues important to artists is scheduled on the evening of Monday, April 19. The directors/artistic directors will be divided into three groups and each artist will audition for one group of five directors. At the end of each day the director groups will meet together to discuss the day's experiences and to share audition highlights and observations. The following directors and artistic directors are scheduled to participate*:
Scott Burke
Shahin Sayadi
Jeff Pitcher
Peter Hinton
Lise Ann Johnson
Christian Barry |
Emmy Alcorn
Caleb Marshall
Matthew Jocelyn
ahdri zhina mandiela
Robert Chafe
Eric Coates |
Group 3 (limited musical
auditions available) |
Matthew Tiffin
Kayla Gordon
Max Reimer
Stewart Arnott
Eda Holmes
George Pothitos
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* Please note that this list is subject to change due to availability of the directors. The auditions will be a maximum of 10 minutes in length. No session will be permitted to exceed 10 minutes for any reason. Our goal is to ensure that each artist benefits from a full 10 minute audition. Auditions will start at 9:00 a.m., and will be scheduled in 10 minute intervals until a lunch break from 12:40 p.m. 1:40 p.m., and resume through the afternoon from 1:40 - 5:20 p.m.
3 to 4 minutes of performance time
2 to 3 minutes of feedback from the directors
3 to 4 minutes of performance time, up to the maximum 10 minutes total
two contrasting short dramatic pieces;
one long dramatic piece;
one short dramatic piece, one song segment;
one up tempo song segment; one ballad segment, etc.
An accompanist will be provided for a limited number of musical auditions, specifically for those artists who would like to showcase themselves as singers (please bring your song book with you to the audition if you do). However, there is no need to prepare or present a musical piece otherwise.
a member of Equity in good standing; or
a non-member who self-identifies as Aboriginal or as a visible minority or as part of
the ethno-racial community, andself-identifies as a professional theatre artist or is in
the process of becoming a professional theatre artist.
Equity members may check their membership status and region selection online in the Members Only zone of EQUITYONLINE. Eligible artists may register for an audition spot by contacting Equity's National Office (1-800-387-1856) from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. AST or by email to Audition Project.
Name
Equity member number (if applicable)
Contact information (telephone and email)
Self-identification as Aboriginal or a visible minority or as part of the ethno-racial
community (if applicable)
Preferred audition date (Monday/Tuesday/Either)
Preferred audition time (morning or afternoon)
If requesting a musical audition
Ranked preference of audition groups (i.e.1-2-3 or 3-1-2 or 3-2-1), Every effort will
be made to give artists their first choice of time and group but that may not always
be possible. Please note that director(s) are subject to change at any time, and we
will make every effort to advise artists of all changes in a timely fashion through
"e-drive" and the EQUITYONLINE.
Any time conflicts during April 19 - 20
Registration by telephone will be confirmed in person, and electronic submissions will be confirmed by return email within one business day.
Audition spots are available on a first come, first served basis, subject to eligibility.
Artists may submit a photo and resume by email when registering for an audition. Electronic submissions will be printed for the directors in advance. If you prefer to submit hardcopy of your photo and resume by mail, please send 15 copies to:
CAEA
44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Attn: Audition Project
If you are unable to make your scheduled audition time, please contact Equity as soon as possible. It is vital that if another artist is given the opportunity to use this time. Every effort will be made to re-schedule an audition at an alternative time based upon availability.
Only the artist registered for an audition time will be admitted to the audition. If an artist arrives late and there are crashers waiting, a crasher will be admitted to the audition.
6101 University Ave.
Halifax, NS B3H 3J5
Enter through main doors off University Ave and look for the registration table.
The audition venue is fully accessible.
The Audition Project will also feature The Forum - a moderated question and answer panel discussion on audition access issues with artistic directors from across Canada. This studio setting meeting will provide artists with an excellent opportunity to ask questions such as What is the best way to get an audition? or How do I pitch my project to an artistic Director? in a supportive and encouraging environment.
The Forum will take place Monday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. at Sir James Dunn Theatre, Dalhousie Arts Centre.
Afterwards there will be a networking opportunity for artists from all disciplines to mix, mingle, and share their thoughts and experiences. Light refreshments and a cash bar.
As this is a pilot project, PACT and Equity need to hear from you. Each artist performer and director who participates in the project will be asked to complete a short questionnaire. Questions and comments about the Audition Project may be emailed to auditions@caea.com.
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Audition Project