At CYT, any student 8-18 enrolled in a class is eligible to audition; nothing is precast. .  Students have “1 minute to shine”.  We recommend preparing a 1-minute song highlighting your vocals and acting through song.  An accompanist will be provided, so we encourage students to use sheet music, although if the student has downloaded a karaoke/backing track on their phone we will be able to play it.  There are many options available for finding vocal tracks online, and sheet music can be found online as well; sheetmusic.com,musicnotes.com.
 
Here’s the process:
Students are sat outside the audition room in groups of 10.  1 by 1 students are called into the audition room – any family or friends that accompanied the student to the audition are allowed in to the audition room with the student to watch.  Once inside, the student will introduce themselves and their song to the Artistic Team, and perform. After that, they will again take their seat outside the room with the remaining students until the entire group is finished. After every student in the group has auditioned, the whole group (all 10) will be called into the room to learn the dance portion of the audition.  Once learned, they will be separated into smaller groups, and they will perform the dance learned in front of the Artistic Team.  Upon completion of the dance portion, the Artistic Team will discuss & decide who from the group will get a call-back.  The complete audition process (singing & dancing) should take approx. 1 hour.
 
If the artistic team wishes to see your child for a specific role, they will be assigned a time to return on Saturday.  Call-backs are closed, meaning that only the artistic team is allowed to watch.

*Please make sure you wear something appropriate for an audition, as well as something you can move in so that you are ready and able to dance*

CYT desires to include as many students as possible in its productions, however each production has a limited cast size.  As interest in CYT continues to grow, the integrity of the program requires that we cast the strongest talent available.  An audition does not guarantee a role in a CYT main stage production.  Likewise, prior participation in a CYT production does not guarantee a role in the cast.   There are many reasons why a child would not be cast in a main stage production. 
 
Here are some to consider:

• Number of roles available
• Whether a student "fits" a role (i.e. height, vocal range, gender, etc.)
• Rehearsal/performance conflicts
• Confidence on stage
• Characterization (did you bring the character to life as the artistic team envisions the role?)
• Ability to follow direction

Unfortunately sometimes it comes down to two fantastic talents', and it’s the smallest thing that the director or artistic team is looking for that makes them choose one over the other.  In those cases, always remember you have done all you can do.  We encourage all of our students to audition, and continue to audition because the lessons learned through auditions and callbacks can last a lifetime.  Auditions are a wonderful way for you to gain self-confidence and to show the best of your talents!   Ultimately, do your best, pray, and trust that the Lord is leading the artistic team for how they need to cast the show.

 

Students have “1 minute to shine”. We recommend preparing a 1-minute song highlighting your vocals and acting through song.  Younger students are encouraged to choose a high-energy song.  All students are required to bring an 8x10 color photo AND theatrical resume to auditions.

Please bring your completed paperwork to auditions. These forms are available through the pdf link on the show's webpage. They are also included in the production manual pdf for the show. All rehearsal conflicts need to be noted on the rehearsal agreement form.

Items to Bring:

• Audition Form
• 8" x 10" Headshot
• Sheet Music or Karaoke Recording (Must Not Have Vocals - Can Be on CD or MP3 on Device)
• Costume Form
• Rehearsal Agreement Form
• Volunteer Release Form
• Parent Agreement Form

All students act, sing and dance for CYT auditions. 
 

It varies greatly by production, and session, though most shows see numbers between 40 and 80.

The artistic team needs to know what rehearsals you will be missing.  It is imperative that they have this information on the audition form.  Absences that come up after casting will not be excused.  There is no “magic number” of excused absences that will make or break getting cast, however, the more absences you have the more difficult chances of getting cast become.

When you register for a class, the link to registering for auditions will become available to you in your CYT account.

"Experience only" is an option for students who wish to work on their audition skills and gain valuable insight into the process of auditioning, but who don’t wish to be considered for the production.  This is a great learning experience, and they will receive a personal note from the Artistic Director with suggestions for improvements.  Those who wish to audition for “experience only”, need to label their sign-up as such.

You may certainly videotape your child's audition, though you may not record other children in your child's group.

If you are unable to attend auditions, we do accept video audition submissions through a private Youtube Link. Please work this out in advance with your artistic director. All video submissions must be submitted before the first night of auditions.

Audition forms are located in the production manual which can be found on the CYT Parent Hub Page.

Be a support. Help them find music. Let them practice in front of you.

Any information is helpful. If you are unsure about a conflict, list it as “negotiable”.   If you list conflicts as “negotiable”, the artistic team may contact you during casting to ask if you are willing to remove the conflict all together. 

On the back end, a child must be no older than 18 on the first night of their areas classes in order to participate & audition for the show. but can turn 19 during the session. A student age 7, must turn 8 by the final performance in order to participate in the production. 

Casting a show is a complex process. We want to help you better understand the factors that go into casting decisions, so that you will know what you can do, and what you can’t do to get a part.

There are some things you can do absolutely nothing about which may have a huge bearing on casting. These include your height, your overall “look,” what part you sing (soprano, alto, etc.), as well as what specific parts are available in a particular play and the sizes of previously built costumes.

Next, there are some factors that depend on other people. How tall are the other people auditioning? What is the director’s “vision” of physical types for various parts? How is the “chemistry” between possible on-stage couples?
 
Below are the things you can do something about:

• PREPARATION: Prepare the best audition you can. Practice, practice and practice some more. Take dance classes, voice classes, any and all ways to be your best, helps!  For callbacks, research the show and learn about the parts, even learn the music. Be as prepared for a callback as you are for the audition. Read over the tips on the CYT website. And remember to prepare for and give as much energy and enthusiasm to callbacks as you did for your audition.
• BEHAVIOR: Directors want to work with people who behave well, and they will ask your Area Coordinator and other directors and teachers about you. Don’t harm your chances of being cast by poor behavior in class, at rehearsals, at shows, even at auditions and callbacks (it happens!)
• COLD READINGS (during Callbacks): Show the director good character development and appropriate emotion at callbacks (see “Preparation” above).

So, do what you can do, don’t worry about what you can’t do, and leave the final outcome to the Lord. He always knows best.

• You must be at all rehearsals for which you are scheduled. If an absence is necessary, permission must be received from the Artistic Director. Any cast member missing more than two rehearsals may not be able to participate in the show. Conflicts (other than illness) after casting must be approved..
• All conflicts must be listed at the time of auditions, and will be taken under consideration during casting. Conflicts, other than illness, reported after casting may require that you drop the show.
• You may not leave rehearsal early.
• You must attend Super Saturday and all dress/tech rehearsals.
• You must be at all performances. This may include missing one day of school.
• You must pay a Production Fee of $200 by the 1st Parent Meeting, which is the 1st Saturday of rehearsal. If you need to work out a payment plan, please make a half payment at the 1st Parent Meeting and see the Managing Director about the rest of the payment.
• Your parents must agree to attend two parent meetings. sell a minimum of 20 tickets per family, and serve 20 hours on a Parent Production Team in addition to working two shows. An "Adult Sponsor" may volunteer these hours in the place of a parent and designate the hours to a cast member.