Orientation, Audition & Crew Information

There are many opportunities for new and returning students to participate in W&M Theatre and Dance as performers, designers, and technical crew.  A Theatre and Dance Open House will be held at 6:30 pm on the Monday of Fall Orientation in the Phi Beta Kappa Hall auditorium.

Students interested in production and design responsibilities, please contact the following:

Dave Dudley (Technical Director) - carpentry, properties, stage management, running crew - [[dhdudl]]
Matt Allar (Scenic Designer) - scene painting, properties, design assistant - [[mjallar]]
Patricia Wesp (Costume Designer) - costume construction, make-up, wardrobe crew, design assistant - [[pmwesp]]
Steve Holliday (Lighting Designer) - electrics, design assistant [[seholl]]

An audition calendar will be available at the Open House. 

Students may sign up to be added to the Department's Blackboard Production Site during the Open House.  The site provides ongoing access to production, course, and awards information.  Students may contact Joan Gavaler (Department Chair) to ask to be added to the site.  [[jsgava]]

Dancers interested in the Performance Ensemble (Orchesis dance company): 
Please visit the Orchesis website.

Department Participation Policy
Participation in William and Mary Theatre and Dance productions is open to all students. You do not have to be a theatre major/minor or dance minor to participate. Freshmen and transfer students are welcome in all productions.

Department Information Postings 
Students will find information pertinent to departmental productions and classes posted in the side lobby of Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.

What is required of me at an audition? Do I need to prepare anything?
Although auditions may vary from director to director, the general format is as follows. Theatre majors typically audition with a prepared monologue. Often specific material is requested based on the needs of the production (Elizabethan verse or contemporary comic, for example). Cold readings are provided for non-Theatre majors, although you are welcome to bring in a prepared piece if you so choose.

Musical theatre auditions will require a song in addition to a reading. If you have prepared a song, an accompanist will be provided, so please bring your sheet music to the audition. If you do not have a song prepared, do not let that stop you from auditioning; you will either be taught part of a song, or you may be asked to sing a familiar song. The best way to hone your auditions skills is to audition, audition, audition! So please come join us!