Professional Audition Opportunities
SETC hosts auditions for professional-level actors, singers and dancers throughout the year. To participate, you must meet certain professional qualifications or pass through preliminary screening or qualifier auditions prior to the event.
From Fall of 2018 to Spring of 2019, SETC’s three professional audition events (Fall Professional Unified Auditions, Summer and Outdoor Theatre Auditions, and Spring Professional Auditions) served a total of 1,599 auditionees from 43 states and 85 hiring companies from 27 states. Click on the map to see the states represented.
Summer & Outdoor Theatre Auditions
Held in January, these auditions offer an opportunity for those looking to launch their professional careers. Paid summer acting, singing, dancing, and technical theatre opportunities are available with outdoor dramas, Shakespeare festivals, theme parks, and more.
In order to qualify to participate in the Summer/Outdoor Theatre Auditions, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age by Dec. 1
- Have previous training and experience in theatre
- Be available for the entire summer season
- Obtain a recommendation reference on your application from a professor or director who will recommend your acting abilities
Spring Professional Auditions at the SETC Convention
These auditions take place over three days as part of the annual SETC Convention in late February/early March. Actors, dancers and singers audition for thousands of jobs with 80-100 companies from across the nation. Find a job that fits your schedule with summer and year-round employment opportunities.
Check Your Eligibility
Fall Professional Unified Auditions
These auditions take place each year in late summer/early fall. This is a more intimate event drawing 15-30 companies from around the U.S. looking to hire actors, singers and dancers for a variety of work, from seasonal shows to year-round opportunities.
Check Your Eligibility
In order for a non-union actor/singer to qualify and be approved for SETC’s Fall Professional Unified Auditions at the SETC Convention, the candidate must:
- Be 19 years of age or older
- Not be enrolled in high school, college or university *
- Be available to accept full-time/year-round or seasonal work
- Have had a minimum of two paid acting contracts with professional theatres *~
- Provide email addresses of two directors from professional roles listed on your application who will recommend your acting abilities
* Actors who have only one professional contract/reference, and MFA students who will graduate in December, may apply to pre-audition on the Saturday before Fall Professional Unified Auditions. Those approved on Saturday will then audition on Sunday with the other professionals.
~ The SETC Auditions Committee will determine the professional status of each theatre company.
Don’t yet qualify? If you don’t yet meet SETC’s professional qualifications, you may still earn an audition spot at the Fall Professional Unified Auditions if you have one professional contract and reference, by pre-auditioning at the Fall Qualifier Auditions the Saturday before the Fall Professional Unified Auditions.
In order for an Equity actor to qualify and be approved SETC’s Fall Professional Unified Auditions at the SETC Convention, the candidate must:
- Be 19 years of age or older
- Not be enrolled in high school, college or university
- Be available to accept full-time/year-round or seasonal work
- Be a current, fully-paid-up member of AEA*
- Provide valid union membership number and expiration date on application
- Present your union membership card at check-in at the convention in order to pick up your audition badge
* EMC does not qualify.
In order to be approved for dancer-only auditions at SETC’s Fall Professional Unified Auditions at the SETC Convention, the candidate must:
- Be 19 years of age or older
- No longer be in high school, college or university
- Be available to accept summer or year-round/seasonal work
- Have two directors/choreographers from credits listed on your application who will provide references
- Have a minimum of two paid dance positions at professional theatres OR have a minimum of four years of formal training plus extensive performance experience
- Be proficient in basic dance routines – a high level of skill in technique and ballet is expected – tap is not required, but is highly sought after by many hiring companies
Don’t yet qualify?
Actors and singers who don’t yet meet the professional qualifications may still participate in SETC’s Fall Professional Unified Auditions by advancing from Fall Qualifier Auditions.