FAQ

All initial auditions at YATA are submitted online.

For musicals, performers should submit:

• One short vocal video that showcases their singing ability.
• One short acting video (a monologue or dialogue) that highlights their acting skills.

For plays, performers should submit:

• Two short acting videos (monologues or dialogues) that showcase their acting ability and range.

Vocal Video Tips

• Film from the waist up in a well-lit space.
• Choose a clean, non-distracting background so the focus stays on you.
• You may sing a cappella or with an instrumental accompaniment track. If using a track, please make sure it contains no guide vocals or background singers.
• Most importantly, choose a song that lets your personality and vocal strengths shine.

Acting Video Tips

• Film from the waist up in a well-lit space with a simple, non-distracting background.
• Select a monologue or dialogue that allows you to demonstrate emotional range, strong storytelling, and authentic character choices.
• Longer isn’t always better. A well-prepared 30 to 60 second performance that clearly showcases your abilities is often far more effective than a longer piece.
• Think about the types of characters you’re hoping to play and choose material that helps the creative team envision you in those roles.

Remember, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for potential. Come prepared, make bold choices, tell a story, and let us see what makes you uniquely you.

Online audition submissions for each production will open shortly!

In the meantime, the most important thing you can do is reserve your audition spot. Signing up lets us know you’re interested in participating and helps us plan for each production.

Your registration gives us valuable insight into the level of interest for a show. If too few students register, we may need to postpone the production, move it to a different time slot, or, in some cases, cancel it altogether.

Please note: If you have not reserved an audition spot, you will not be able to formally submit your audition materials when submissions open, and you may not be considered for casting. Reserving your audition spot ensures you’ll receive all audition instructions, submission deadlines, and access to upload your audition videos.

By signing up early, you’re not only reserving your place, you’re also helping us bring the productions our community is most excited about to the stage.

Once audition submissions open, everyone who has reserved an audition spot will receive instructions on how and when to upload their audition videos.

Most callbacks are held in person. We believe the callback process is an important opportunity to see performers work together, take direction, read scenes, sing with others, and explore chemistry between potential cast members.

In some situations, callbacks may be held virtually if scheduling or space limitations require it, but in-person callbacks are our standard whenever possible.

Not always.

In general, YATA will hold callbacks for JR productions, Full productions, High School productions, and Community Theatre productions. These productions typically have a larger cast of principal roles and benefit from giving directors the opportunity to see performers work together.

Kids productions generally do not have callbacks. Directors typically cast these shows based on the submitted audition videos alone.

Occasionally, a director may choose to hold callbacks for a Kids production if additional information is needed before casting. If that happens, those callbacks will typically be held virtually.

At YATA, callbacks are designed a little differently than at many other theaters.

Rather than assigning students to callback for specific roles, our directors believe every performer should have the opportunity to show where they shine. Callback materials are sent to all invited students and include selections for the principal roles being cast.

Students are encouraged to review as much of the material as they’d like. Memorization is not required, but becoming familiar with the scenes and music will help performers feel more confident.

During callbacks, directors will invite students to step forward and read or sing for the roles they’re interested in. If there’s a character you’re excited about, don’t wait to be asked! Take the opportunity to show the creative team what you can do.

Our philosophy is simple: Show us what you want us to see. We want every student to have the chance to demonstrate their strengths, explore different characters, and surprise us. This approach gives directors a more complete picture of each performer and often leads to exciting casting discoveries.

We recommend that you don’t.

Industry standard is to audition with a song that fits your voice and showcases what you can do as a performer. While some experienced performers choose audition songs that subtly highlight qualities for a particular role, that isn’t necessary to have a great audition.

Instead, choose a song that lets your voice sound its best and gives you the opportunity to act through the music. Your audition is your chance to demonstrate vocal technique, storytelling, and personality, not how closely you can imitate a character from the show.

The best audition song is one you know well, fits your vocal range comfortably, and allows you to perform with confidence.

And if this is your very first audition and you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t overthink it! We’d much rather hear you confidently sing something simple than struggle through something that isn’t right for you. If all else fails, sing “Happy Birthday.” We mean it. A confident, well-sung “Happy Birthday” tells us far more about your voice than a difficult Broadway song you’re uncomfortable singing.

Absolutely!

If you’re auditioning for several productions, you’re welcome to submit the same audition video for each one.

That said, if there’s a particular show or role you really want us to consider you for, you may want to record a new audition that better highlights the style, vocal range, or acting qualities that fit that production. While it’s never required, a customized audition can help us see you in the light you hope to be considered.

Yes, please.

If there are specific roles you’re especially interested in, we’d love to know! This helps our creative team understand what excites you and can be helpful during the casting process.

If you’re truly open to anything, simply write “Any.”

Listing preferred roles does not limit your casting opportunities. Our directors will always consider you for the roles they believe are the best fit.

Generally, we ask that performers audition only for productions within the listed age range. Our age guidelines are carefully chosen based on the needs of each production, rehearsal logistics, and the educational experience we want to create for everyone involved.

That said, there are occasions when we may expand an age range if additional performers are needed.

If you’re interested in a production outside your age group, we’d love to know! Let us know you’d like to be considered, and if we decide to open auditions to additional ages, we’ll reach out and invite you to audition.

In the meantime, we encourage you to audition for productions designed for your age group. Every season offers exciting opportunities, and we’d love to see you on stage!