FAQ

At the Wonder Theatre Academy, we operate under an open casting call policy. This means that no roles are “precast” and that students may audition for any role in the show. Auditions are typically open to students between the ages of 6-18 years old (student must be in high school) and all information, including song cuts, are posted on social media and our website. 

Students should choose a song listed that best suits their vocal range and for the role they are most interested in playing.  Students will also be expected to take part in a short dance call where they will be taught a simple routine and then asked to perform the routine in small groups for the production team. For this reason, students should bring dance shoes if they have them and wear clothing that is comfortable to move in.

After students in each group have had the opportunity to dance and sing, some students may be asked to read sides from the script. If students are not asked to stay, this DOES NOT mean that they are not being considered for a role. It simply means that the production team has seen what they need to.

It usually takes around 2-4 weeks for casting to be completed by the production team and everyone who auditions will be contacted via email.

It is very important that all known conflicts be listed on the audition form. The production team will need to plan rehearsals carefully around student attendance. Students will be excused from no more than three rehearsals throughout the entirety of the process. If additional absences occur, students may not be excused and they may be dismissed from the show or given a smaller role. Show conflicts and conflicts during tech week are not allowed and may result in dismissal from the production.

Any information that you have is helpful, so please list them anyway. When casting offers are made, a full rehearsal schedule is sent out. If new conflicts arise or are confirmed, please communicate that as soon as possible to academy staff.

We operate a closed door audition policy at Wonder Theatre Academy which means that we do not allow parents in the audition room to watch or videotape students.

If you are going to be out of town for the audition, please email sara@wondertheatre.org and you may submit a video audition. If possible, an in-person audition is always preferred.

You can help support your child by helping them to select a song cut that fits them vocally and help them to practice and feel confident. Let them sing their song in front of you and give them lots of encouragement. Also, reassure them that you are proud of them for putting themselves out there and auditioning for a show. It is hard to be vulnerable, and just being brave enough to audition is already a big achievement.

This varies greatly by production. For our kids shows, the number typically falls between 30-75 students. For larger, teen productions which involve multiple casts, we have had up to 200 students.

A lead role is who the primary action of the musical is centered around. These characters often have lots of lines to memorize and songs to learn. These are often roles that are best suited to more experienced performers because of the amount of responsibility placed upon them to carry the show.

A supporting role is also central to the musical’s plot. Many times, these are the comedic characters or the characters featured in a side plot. While these characters often do not have as much content to learn as a lead role, they will still be featured in a lot of scenes and songs and will have a lot of lines to learn. Therefore, this role presents a challenge to an actor and will require someone who can be trusted to work hard.

A featured role is a great opportunity for a student with some experience to shine in a show. Often, they will have some lines and some solo opportunities in a show. While they don’t have as much content to learn as a lead or a supporting role, they are still very important to the success of the show as they are often responsible for delivering comedic or crucial content that gives heart to the story.

The ensemble is one of the busiest roles in the show! These are often the characters who perform in the most numbers, and they get the opportunity to sing and dance frequently. The ensemble is a great place for a new or experienced performer to continue to learn and grow their skills in singing, dancing, and acting. They are what truly bring the show to life!

Students often receive offers or decline emails at different times. Just because you have received an email with a role offer, does not mean that everyone has and learning this information second hand can be upsetting. Therefore, while it is difficult, we ask that this information be kept confidential until we make an official cast announcement on social media. 

This has happened at one point or another to every performer. Casting is like putting a puzzle together, and it has many different factors that the production team considers including director’s vision, actor’s chemistry, past roles the students have been offered, experience level, work ethic, student growth, and conflicts.  Inevitably, your child will face this at one point or another throughout their theatre career. The best way to support them is to encourage them to seek feedback, and then to be proactive about training and improving for the next audition. If they are still in the show, encourage them to keep an open mind and help them to be positive about being part of the team. Disappointment in these situations is normal, and you should encourage your child to allow themselves to feel what they need to but not to give up. Wonder Theatre Academy staff is always happy to advise and help support you through this difficult part of being a performer.