At CYT, any student 8-18 enrolled in a class is eligible to audition; no role is precast. Students have “1 minute to shine.” We recommend preparing a 1-minute song highlighting your vocal range and acting through song.  An accompanist will be provided so students will need to bring their sheet music. They need to mark the 32 bars they will sing on their sheet music. There are many options available for finding sheet music online. We recommend sheetmusic.com,musicnotes.com.
 
Here’s the process:
Students register with the show coordinator at sign in area and will be called to the audition room in groups of 10. Students are called into the audition room – any family or friends that accompanied the student to the audition are allowed into the audition room. Once inside, the student will introduce themselves and their song to the artistic team and perform. After that, they will take their seat with their family in the audition room and observe while the remaining group members audition. After every student in the group has auditioned, the whole group (all 10) will learn the dance portion of the audition. Once learned, they will be separated into smaller groups and perform the dance in front of the artistic team. Upon completion of the dance portion, the artistic team will discuss & decide who from the group will need to attend callbacks. Each student will receive a slip of paper either notifying them that their audition is complete or giving instructions for callbacks. The complete audition process (singing & dancing) should take approx. 1 hour.
 
If the artistic team wishes to see your child for a specific role at the callbacks portion, they will be assigned a specific time to return on Saturday. Callbacks 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
• Characterization (did you bring the character to life as the artistic team envisions the role?)
• Voal range
• Confidence on stage
• Ability to follow direction
• Rehearsal/performance conflicts

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. 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.

You must also fill out the audition form online before arriving at the audition. The link to the form will be emailed to all those signed up for an audition slot. All rehearsal conflicts need to be noted on the rehearsal agreement form.

Items to Bring:

• 8" x 10" Headshot
• Sheet Music with 32 bars marked for the accompanist placed in a binder with non glare protective pages. Binder must have ability to lay flat while open for the accompanist. 
• Link for Audition Forms will be sent to you in an email after securing your audition slot. You will complete this form the week prior to arriving to your audition. 

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.

We recognize that many students have other activities and obligations outside of CYT and work to honor pre-excused conflicts, however, the success of our shows relies on cast members being present at rehearsals. There is no “magic number” of excused absences that will make or break getting cast, however, the artistic team does factor in an individual's availability when offering a role. 

It is imperative that rehearsal conflicts are noted on the audition form. The artistic team needs this information to consider casting and to create the rehearsal schedule. Absences that come up after casting will not be excused.

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

You may certainly record 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 the Show Coordinator. All video submissions must be submitted before the first night of auditions.

The link to the online audition form will be sent to you in an email after securing your audition slot through your CYT Tucson account. 

Be a support. Help them find music. Let them practice in front of you. Encourage them and stay positive!

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

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. After the session they celebrate their 19th birthday they will be considered "aged out" of our program. 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 can prepare for your best audition and have confidence in the final cast list. Many factors cannot be controlled by the individual auditioning. 

The artistic team will consider the individual's appearance, vocal range, height, as well as what specific parts are available in a particular play and the sizes of previously built costumes. They will also consider other auditioners' appearance, the director’s “vision” of physical types for various parts, the chemistry between possible on-stage character relationships, as well as the overall number of cast members. Many of these considerations are in the hand of the artistic team and cannot be controlled. 
 
Here are some things the individual auditioning does have control over:

• 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, or even learn the music. Be as prepared for a callback as you are for the audition. Read over the tips on the CYT website. 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 Site 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.

• 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 two days of school.
• You must pay a Production Fee of $200 by the Production Fair, 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 board treasurer about the rest of the payment. They will be present at the Production Fair. 
• Parents/caregivers must agree to attend two parent meetings, sell a minimum of 20 tickets per family, recruit a business to purchase a quarter page ad for the program, and serve 20 hours on a Parent Production Team in addition to working two shows and a dress rehearsal. All families must assist with strike on last day. (An "Adult Sponsor" may volunteer these hours in the place of a parent and designate the hours to a cast member.)