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Understanding the Audition Process

Auditions are exciting, but also sometimes intimidating. The possibilities are endless, so trust the process as the directors consider everyone’s talents and abilities and where they will be most successful. The key is being prepared, so plan ahead! 

Read through these steps to understanding the audition process to have the most successful theatre audition you can! 

  1. Visit our Audition Information Page to find which show or shows you want to audition for! Click the show you’re interested in for specific dates, contact info, and important links. 
  2. Fill out your audition form and all the necessary paperwork. It is critical you complete paperwork prior to your audition in order to expedite your check-in process!
  3. Sign up for an audition time. You’ll find this link on the confirmation page of the Audition Form.
  4. Plan to arrive at the audition location 20-30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to make sure you have time to check-in and get ready to go!
  5. If you’re auditioning for a musical:
    • At your audition time, you will be part of a group of up to fourteen auditionees. Each auditionee will stand up in front of the directors (as well as a supportive audience of parents and family!) and sing a 1-minute selection from a song of their choice. Try not to pick a song from the show you’re auditioning for. 
    • Students auditioning should either bring a device to play an accompaniment track (phones work very well!) or bring clearly marked sheet music for a provided accompanist. Though not strongly encouraged, a student is welcome to sing a cappella.
    • After everyone in your group sings, you will go to another room to learn a brief dance routine. Once the group has learned the dance, you’ll return to the main audition room and perform the dance audition for the directors.
    • More information and tips about auditioning for a musical can be found below! 
  6. If you’re auditioning for a play:
    • At your audition time, you will be part of a group of up to ten auditionees. Each auditionee will stand up in front of the directors and present a prepared monologue. 
    • Monologue options will be available ahead of time and it is expected that monologues will be memorized.
  7. Your audition is complete! Congratulations! Now go home, relax, and wait for callback information. 
  8. Callbacks typically happen the day after the auditions. Callbacks are invite-only and are an opportunity for the directors to see and hear more from certain students. You might be called back to sing, read scenes, and/or dance. Remember, getting a callback doesn’t mean you will be cast in a role, and vice versa!
  9. After callbacks, the directors will deliberate and prayerfully consider the cast list. The cast list will be emailed to everyone who auditions and posted on the First Act website by the following evening. 
  10. Questions? Call our office at 913-681-3318 or contact Director of Artistic Productions, Jana Latchaw Milbourn at jana@firstactkc.org.

What's Happening at First Act?

Praying with Hope for the Future

At First Act Theatre Arts, we are excited and prayerfully looking forward, with abundant hope, that our next home is becoming a reality. Throughout the next year of our Capital Campaign, it is imperative that we make this journey rooted in Christ and the purposes created for us.

High School Musical Jr. Director’s Letter

First Act’s Middle School Overnight Camp is always my favorite week of the summer. When I heard that High School Musical Jr. was our show this year, somehow my excitement for this week grew exponentially. My first camp experience with First Act was a High School Musical summer camp when I was five years old, and I cannot comprehend that I am now directing the musical with the same organization!

Nine to Five Director’s Letter

Before the 9 to 5 movie and musical we know and love, there was a movement that inspired both. 9to5 is an organization created in 1973 by clerical workers to respond to the inequities, unfairness, and outright harassment and discrimination they were experiencing in the workplace. These courageous, tenacious, and fierce women organized and banded together to advocate for themselves and for a better future for working women. 9to5 still exists today, fighting every day for equal wages, paid family leave, and a harassment-free workplace. Their work continues to advance racial and gender justice through community-led advocacy as they seek widespread, long-lasting change.