The ITA contains provisions to guide the audition process, relating to audition venues, scheduling, and preparation. Related clauses can be found in 8:06 of the ITA.
Auditions
Audition Process
Engagers are required to submit an audition sign-in sheet with the audition details and list of Artists, to be completed on their arrival and departure.
This must be sent to your Equity Business Rep within 14 days of the audition date.
Audition Conditions
Engagers and Equity are jointly committed to ensuring that all Artists are aware of their rights, and that the audition provisions of the ITA are upheld.
The Audition Conditions must be posted in the audition space.
This reference material is provided as a summary for convenience only. The full terms and conditions of the ITA apply to all auditions. See Clauses 8:06 and 8:07 for complete details of the terms and conditions.
- Audition rooms, change rooms and waiting rooms must be properly lighted, ventilated, heated and cooled
- The Theatre, will, at the request of an Actor with accessibility needs, make all reasonable accommodations to facilitate access, which may include providing interpreters, accessible facilities and advanced access to audition materials
- Nudity is prohibited throughout the entire audition process
- All auditions must take place with at least two (2) persons present other than the Auditionee and in a place that is an accepted place of business
- Except for un-vetted open calls, Actors must be called to audition at specific times and will not be called in groups unless necessary for dance calls, improvisation or voice blending
- Upon request, an Equity Business Rep will be given the opportunity to inspect the venue. If necessary, the Theatre will find an alternate suitable venue/li>
- Equity members must be given priority for scheduling audition times
- Whenever possible, the Theatre will schedule evening auditions to accommodate Actors who have other work commitments during the day
- For non-musicals, auditions are limited to three (3) calls of a maximum of one (1) hour each
- For musicals, the total audition time for all auditions, group calls, and callbacks, must not exceed four (4) hours for each production or repertory season, as applicable.
- For calls in excess of either of these limits, the Actor must be paid 1/8th of the minimum weekly fee of the Company Category in which the production will be presented
- All breaks and rest periods must be observed at all times
- Please be sure to sign in and sign out on the appropriate “audition sign in sheet”
- While cameras and other recording devices are strictly prohibited at all auditions, there may be circumstances where all persons with casting authority may not be available. In that case, if the Artist has been notified in advance, the Theatre may record or live video conference the audition (provided the recordings are destroyed once casting has been completed)
- When an Actor is required for a callback audition on the same day as the initial audition, it will take place within a one-and-a-half hour time period, or the Actor will be given the opportunity to return on a later date or a mutually agreed time
- There must be separate change facilities (not bathrooms) available for all genders
- The Theatre may audition Dancers/Chorus in a group as long as dance or movement ability is the prime consideration of the audition, and in which case the Artists need not be called at individual specific times
- An Artist may not be asked to perform a pre-rehearsed dance, prepare their own choreography, or help teach dance/movement sequences to other auditioning Actors
- When an Actor is participating in a dance audition, the audition must be conducted on an appropriate dance surface. Actors will not be required to dance on concrete or marble floors or any other surface which may cause them injury
- The Theatre will provide an accompanist for all musical auditions involving singing, except where the Actor wishes to self-accompany or is required in the production to sing without musical accompaniment. In the case of a non-musical production where the singing will be accompanied by live music, an accompanist must also be provided at the audition
- For Chorus auditions, Artists will be given an opportunity to audition in their principal skill of either singing or dancing
- When Artists have been asked to prepare specific material in advance, they must be given the opportunity to perform all the prepared material
Notice of Auditions
To promote awareness of work opportunities to the broadest spectrum of artistic talent, publicly announced casting notices must be shared through Equity’s eDrive service.
eDrive is Equity’s free email subscription list, connecting artists across the country with audition notices and other work opportunities in the live performance sector.
Engagers must submit notices through eDrive at least three weeks before publicly announced auditions. For an open call, Engagers should submit their notice at least four weeks in advance.
Engagers will also make best efforts to submit notices through eDrive for all stage management positions.
General Auditions
To help promote awareness of new voices and talent, Engagers that produce more than two productions in a season are required to hold General Auditions.
For all open call auditions, Equity members must be given the opportunity to be seen prior to non-members.
A notice for General Auditions should be submitted through Equity’s eDrive.
Self-tapes and Virtual Auditions
Under the ITA, the Theatre must hold true in-person (not self-tape or videoconference) auditions, but may accommodate Artists who can’t attend in person by accepting self-tapes. Please review Clause 8:06 for more details.
Best Practices for Self-tapes
Equity has developed a Best Practices Advisory, identifying key elements for consideration when requesting self-tape submissions or auditioning Artists by digital means.