1. What are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?
2. When are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?
3. Where are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?
4. Who can audition?
5. How do I sign up to audition?
6. Is there a fee to audition? How much does it cost?
7. What day will I audition?
8. What time will I audition?
9. When do I need to arrive?
10. Where do I go once I'm there?
11. How long is my audition?
12. What happens if I go over my 60 or 90 seconds?
13. Can I start my audition over if I mess up?
14. Will there be a place to warm up?
15. I'm doing a singing audition. Do I need an accompanist?
16. I'm doing a singing audition. Can I use a tape/CD/MP3 player or sing a cappella?
17. I also play an instrument. Can I accompany myself?
18. I'm doing a singing audition. Can I use photocopied sheet music?
19. What type of dress is expected at the auditions?
20. Can I change into dance clothes after my audition?
21. Do I have to attend the Dance Auditions?
22. Can I ONLY attend Dance Auditions?
23. Do I need special shoes for the Dance Auditions (tap/jazz/sneakers/heels)?
24. What happens after I audition? How do I know if I got any call backs?
25. Are the callbacks at set times?
26. Where are callbacks held?
27. Can I sign up to audition onsite?
28. Where can I park?
29. Will I be auditioning by myself?
30. Do I need to bring resumes and headshots?
31. What do I do if I miss my audition?
32. I also qualify for non-acting types of theatre work - are there other opportunities for me?

1) What are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?
SETC, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, hosts a set of regional combined auditions for theatres all over the United States (and some international). Hiring theatres come to watch multiple auditionees to select casts for their upcoming seasons. The types of theatres who hire through SETC include repertory, stock, regional, dinner, theatre for youth, touring and other theatres. Also included are theme park and entertainment venues, as well as cruise ships.
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2) When are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?
Spring professional auditions are held as part of the Annual SETC Convention traditionally the first Wednesday - Sunday of March.
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3) Where are the SETC Spring Professional Auditions?

The SETC Spring Professional Auditions move with the location of the convention across the Southeast Region. For 2010, this will be in Lexington, KY.
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4) Who can audition?
1) Professional Actors & Singers who have a minimum of two paid acting jobs with professional theatres (approved by the SETC Auditions Committee) may apply directly to SETC. You must have had a paid contracts – stipends, splitting the pot, or travel allowance are not considered paid acting jobs. Those auditionees with the most significant experience and chance of being hired through the companies who come to SETC will be awarded audition slots.

2) Emerging Artists (pre-professionals) are required to go through a screening at the state level in order to send the most qualified candidates. To obtain information on the SETC Screening Auditions, refer to the SETC website under Auditions.
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5) How do I sign up to audition?
Download instructions and guidelines as they become available – then go to the online registration site and complete the audition application and pay the necessary fees. References and headshots may all be taken care of online -- and if you need any assistance, just pick up the phone or email SETC Central Office for personal attention from the auditions director - April J'C Marshall.
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6) Is there a fee to audition? How much does it cost?
SETC offers you so much more than auditions. As part of the cost, you receive 1) your audition before paying theatres, 2) membership for 1 year in SETC to keep you connected to a multitude of opportunities, and 3) registration for the ENTIRE SETC Convention where you may network with over 4000 theatre individuals. There are over 300 workshops, 40 theatre performances, Master Classes and Keynotes -- all included!

The cost to apply, covers the cost of formatting your application in a standard format so the companies will know where to find your most important information, printing & distributing it to all the hiring companies at the auditions, convention workshops, etc. (Digital copies are also available EARLY for registered companies).

For Students who are passed from the qualifying auditions $115 (late applicants $145). For Adults the cost is $190 - $215. EARLY AUDITION REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 19TH. (2008-2009 fees; subject to increase in subsequent years.)

Note: Any applicant who does not receive an audition slot may request to have their money refunded, less a $5.00 processing fee. Any cancellation before the Final Deadline (JANUARY 15) may also request to have a refund (less $5).
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7) What day will I audition?
The Spring Professional Auditions take place over 3 days -- Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Working professional who are not required to go through the screening auditions may select Friday or Saturday mornings to audition. Equity auditionees are grouped together on Friday or Saturday mornings also.

Emerging Artists who pass the state screening level are scheduled into the "block" of availability that matches when they are eligible for work (Summer or Year Round). These blocks are: Year Round: Thursday afternoon, Friday & Saturday morning after the professionals. Summer only: Thursday morning, Friday & Saturday afternoons. Persons needing specific days of audition may contact April J'C Marshall, the director of Professional Theatre Services to request those days.

Most requests are honored, but if slots run out on the day you request, you will be placed on another day. When you receive your audition number via email - a complete audition schedule will be included that you can compare and see in which day and block you will be auditioning.
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8) What time will I audition?
Each group of auditionees is for 25 persons which takes approximately 45 minutes. However, when there are "no shows" slots move upward - so you could go earlier -- make sure you check frequently at the Auditions Room to see what numbers are in auditions and/or holding.
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9) When do I need to arrive?
Beginning on Wednesday at noon you may start checking in at the AUDITIONEE CHECK-IN at PRE-REGISTRATION AREA of the convention site. Remember - a lot can go wrong -- so plan to arrive early! Other times on Thur/Fri/Saturday, you may check-in after 8:30am.

If you must check in the DAY of your audition, you are required to have your audition badge and attend the 8:30 am briefing session -- all changes to schedules and other important information will be announced at this meeting -- you don't want to miss your audition because of unanticipated changes.

You will need to check-in to pick up your audition badge no later than 8:15am on the day of your audition. By arriving the day before your audition, you will also have the chance at designated times to go into the audition room and try out the lights and acoustics. Refer to the auditions schedule and/or to the convention schedule for these times.
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10) Where do I go once I'm there?
From the Check-in areas you will go at 8:30 am on the day of your audition to the Auditions Area for your morning briefing. If you arrive earlier, you may of course go to any workshop or performance you choose. There is so much to do and available that will help you as an auditionee, that we suggest you carefully look at the CONVENTION SCHEDULE to map out your experience. Remember -- the day of your audition you should allow ample time for your briefing, your audition, your callbacks, the dance call. Keep your focus that day and enjoy all the others with the other theatre activities.
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11) How long is my audition?
Depending on the type of audition you select you will have 60 Seconds if you Act or Sing only. You will have 90 seconds if you select both Acting & Singing. Equity auditionees will have 90 seconds. Your audition time begins with the first sound you make (including your name and number). Remember you will be in the room the entire time for a group of 25 -- approximately 45 minutes. Prior to the actual audition, you will also be in the holding room for about 45 minutes.
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12) What happens if I go over my 60 or 90 seconds?
The time keeper will announce that you have ended your time with a polite, but firm, "THANK YOU" at which point you should stop your audition. Your time begins with the first sound out of your mouth (including your name and number). If you are singing, the accompanist will stop playing.
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13) May I start my audition over if I mess up?
You may start over, but you only have your original 60 or 90 seconds. If you start over, your time does not. It is best if you can take a beat, regain your composure and plunge ahead. If you cannot continue, smile, and say thank you, your name and number again.
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14) Will there be a place to warm up?
Yes. A room with a piano where you will have a chance to warm up before you go into the holding room and then onto the stage is available for you.
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15) I’m doing a singing audition. Do I need an accompanist?
SETC provides a skilled accompanist – you need to provide the sheet music.
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16) I'm doing a singing audition. Can I use a tape/CD/MP3 player or sing a cappella?
You may not use tapes, cd players, etc. or sing a cappella.
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17) I also play an instrument. Can I accompany myself?
You may not self-accompany.
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18) I'm doing a singing audition. Can I use photocopied sheet music?
As long as the sheet music is clear and concise – i.e. can you read it, and it is mounted on a stiff cardboard or folder. Do not bring lead sheets, large books of music or pages that the accompanist must turn.
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19) What type of dress is expected at the auditions?
Look professional – as if you were going on a job interview. Black is not recommended because you will be auditioning against a black curtain. Revealing and/or eye-catching clothes that take away from your face are not in your best interest. Also, be aware that you will be auditioning on a raised stage and that the hiring companies will be in the audience looking up at you at an angle.
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20) Can I change into dance clothes after my audition?
Yes. At the morning MANDATORY briefing you will be told what time the warm up for the dance begins. There are several bathrooms available in which you can change clothing. You should wear attire that lets the auditionors see the line of your body – but not immodest.
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21) Do I have to attend the Dance Auditions?
Only auditionees who are requested by a company to attend the Spring Dance-Call are eligible to dance, however, it is NOT required. If you consider yourself a capable dancer – you will have 3 routines which you can choose from if you wish to exhibit your skills as a dancer. Make sure you mark your audition form if you consider yourself a dancer. (Please note the rules for dance are different at the Spring Professional Auditions.)
This is the only place the company representatives may see you dance -- they may NOT ask you to dance during a callback.
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22) Can I ONLY attend Dance Auditions?
Dancers who meet the criteria as outlined on the website may apply as dancer-only auditionees. If you select this option you may not perform a monologue or sing before the companies.
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23) Do I need special shoes for the Dance Auditions (tap/jazz/sneakers/heels)?
Wear shoes you can dance in, but not tap shoes. Because of the flooring sneakers don’t work well, either. Jazz shoes and men's dance shoes are best.
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24) What happens after I audition? How do I know if I got any call backs?
Each company lists (by number) the persons they want to see for callbacks. These are posted in a large room by SETC. Once you are allowed in, you look at each company sheet and see if you can find your number. If they listed you, then you go to their callback location and sign up for an interview time. When you receive your audition number, you will get a packet of information that has a sample of the callback sheet so you’ll know what to look for.
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25) Are the callbacks at set times?
Each company holds their callbacks at different times. Most of the companies hold callbacks for a few hours after the dance auditions each day. But the callback times and locations will be posted on the company headers in the callback room. As a general rule the companies only see you for the callbacks the day you audition. In rare instances, they may ask you to stay over until the next day to see them. Plan for a long day/night – at least until midnight!
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26) Where are callbacks held?
The companies can hold callbacks either in rooms at the host hotel (SHERATON BIRMINGHAM) or in rooms/suites at the Sheraton. If you see someone who has listed a callback at another location, you should NOT go there, and you should inform SETC. This is for your safety and protection! Those callbacks sanctioned by SETC will have SETC supplied signup sheets at their locations.
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27) Can I sign up to audition onsite?
You must either attend a screening audition, or pre-apply and be approved to attend the SETC Spring Professional Auditions. Deadline for application is by state for the screenings, and by January 15th for Professionals and Dancer-Only. We do not allow walk-in registration for these auditions.
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28) Where can I park?
The hotel/convention center will have ample parking. If you are coming from another hotel, use the area transportation system to arrive at the auditions site.
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29) Will I be auditioning by myself?
You will audition with a group of 25 other auditionees. You will be called onstage together and sit as a group. Each person will in turn give their audition, and you will stay with the group until everyone has auditioned.
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30) Do I need to bring resumes and headshots?
You should provide every company which calls you back with a headshot and resume. Make sure these have your audition number on them, and a way to reach you during the convention -- either a cell phone or your hotel phone number - do not give out your room number. We suggest 40 or more so you have plenty to hand out.
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31) What do I do if I miss my audition?
Contact the SETC Auditions Personnel (dark purple badges) to let them know what happened. Every effort will be made to work you in if possible.
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32) I also qualify for non-acting jobs - are there other opportunities for me?
SETC has a service called Job Contact for which an average of 100 companies are also hiring for technical backstage, front of house, box-office, administrative and educational positions. To register for this go to the Job Contact information and follow the instructions there. This service is offered Thursday - Saturday (noon).
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