Auditions for all productions sponsored and/or produced by the Department of Theater are open to all Dartmouth undergraduates. No previous experience is necessary. 

Priority in casting shall be given to undergraduates. Undergraduates who are on “off” terms are eligible to audition. If the special needs of a production make the use of an undergraduate impossible, if no undergraduate is available to take a particular role, or if there is a recognized educational advantage to having a non-student in a cast, then non-students may be used. This includes graduate students, alumni, faculty, community members, and guest professionals.

Policies for students auditioning for and accepting roles are as follows:

Students will be asked to fill out an initial audition form at first auditions. In addition to general information, students will be able to state on this form interests in particular roles and whether or not they are willing to accept other roles “as cast” by the director.  

We believe that there is something valuable to be learned from every role, and encourage students to make themselves available to play “as cast,” but recognize that other important factors are involved in those decisions. 

(An actor wishing to limit their casting options on the audition form should be aware that this decision MAY result in not being cast at all, if a director, for instance, had you in mind for roles you chose not to be considered for.)

In any event, directors will take into careful account the casting preferences or limitations stated by students on the audition form in creating their “callbacks” or subsequent rounds of auditions.

Once a student auditions, is called back, and attends the callback, whether for particular roles only or “as cast,” they are confirming the important commitment to participate if cast.  Making the difficult choices as to who will play what roles is a challenging process for the director. Those choices affect everyone who has auditioned for the show, and this commitment to participate is vital to maintain fairness to other students. Students may not audition, go to a callback, get cast, then change their minds and drop out.

(On rare occasions, including cases of physical and mental well-being, an exception to this rule may be made. Those circumstances will be addressed specifically by the Department of Theater.) 

Notice of this policy will be given to all students who audition for shows produced and/or sponsored by the department, in writing, on the audition form. This policy will also be posted on the callboard along with all audition, callback and casting notices.

Other opportunities:

Please note that in addition to acting there are many other ways of being involved in the productions of this department. A link to other possible positions may be found HERE.

For students with demonstrable financial need wishing to take part in the productions of this department, a link to the Goldner Mini-Fellowship can be found HERE.

If you have questions or would like to speak with us, please email Greg and he will put you in touch with the right person.  

We encourage you to join us in this process of collaborative creation! 

Evening lab, exam, or class conflict policy:

If a professor schedules a lab, class, exam, or other event in the evening outside of normal class hours, they must offer the student an alternative time if they are involved in mandatory evening rehearsals. Students are encouraged to contact their professors and request an alternative time. If a student is not comfortable with this, they may ask the Chair of the Theater Department to be in touch with their professor on their behalf.