Archive for January, 2008

Hi Gang,

As promised, here is a picture of the stage, with stage lighting, upon which you’ll be auditioning.

You will be staging in groups of 25 in the Green Room behind the stage.
You will be entering mid Stage Left (1) between the procenium and “tree cliffs.”
Jose and the piano will be located Down Left (2) in front of the procenium.
You will exit the stage via the stairs (3) Down Left, and exit out the House Right door next to the stage.

Take note of the colors of the stage, flats, and background so you can dress accordingly.
The floor is not raked, and you have the whole stage area at your disposal (no climbing the walls!).
A sturdy chair and stool will also be on the stage for your use if you choose.

The theatre space will be open to walk the stage for about an hour on

Thursday, Feb. 7th, after Pirates of Penzance (10:15pm ish)
Friday, Feb. 8th, after Pirates of Penzance (10:15pm ish)
Saturday, Feb. 9th, after Pirates of Penzance (10:15pm ish)
Sunday, Feb. 10th, after Pirates of Penzance (10:15pm ish)

Hopefully, you can relax a bit more knowing that you’re on a stage, under theatrical
lighting, with theatrical acoustics.

Weather!
Extended forecast for UPTA weekend is 50s and scattered showers. As we get closer, I can give
you a better idea. To check Memphis weather, you can CLICK HERE.

Bottom line, dress in layers and bring rain gear.

If you’ve missed Notes 1 thru 3, check the BLOG HERE.

That’s all for today. I’ll probably send one more email before you arrive.

And don’t forget……. 90 seconds….. 90 seconds….. 90 seconds….. 90 seconds…..

Take care,

Michael Detroit
Audition Coordinator
UPTA

Hi Gang,

Things are really busy around here.

115 companies!

That’s 11 more than last year, and last year was a record high!

Here are a few more tidbits…

1. 54 companies have indicated they are watching Equity auditions. More than ever before!
2. 50 companies are holding production interviews - another 38 are collecting production resumes. More than ever before!
3. Equity folks, I know we only asked for 50 headshots, actually expecting that would be enough. Not to worry, we’ll make a few extra copies of your headshot for you so that all the reps will have your P/R.
4. CLICK HERE to read a quick note from Doug Truelsen, Southeast Traveling Rep for Actors’ Equity. He’ll be at UPTA once again to hold informational workshops each day and to answer any questions you might have. His letter is for both Equity and non-Equity folks.
5. In order to help prepare you even more, UPTA asked the companies to provide info as to what to expect in their callbacks. CLICK HERE for their responses.
6. José Simbulan, our accompanist, has 5 DOs and DON’Ts for music prep. If you’re singing at UPTA, CLICK HERE to see what José has to say.
7. CLICK HERE for some fantastic “dress for audition/interview success” notes from Rebecca Y. Powell, the Resident Costume Designer at Playhouse on the Square here in Memphis to help you in your choice of attire for your auditions and interviews.
8. Check the Registered Companies web page often. Companies have been changing their plans about when they’ll be in the audition room, who’s holding production interviews, who’s collecting resumes, etc. Stay up to speed so you know what to expect in the audition room or for production interviews.
9. I’ll have a picture of the stage for you soon. As soon as the set is painted, I’ll send it to you to help with clothing choices.
10. Don’t forget, if you’re interested in seeing either A Lesson Before Dying (The Circuit Playhouse) or The Pirates of Penzance (Playhouse on the Square), call our box office at 901-726-4656. Tell them you’re with UPTA, and that you have a 50% off coupon (you’ll need that to pick up your tickets).
11. If you missed either of my first 2 email notes, visit our BLOG on the UPTA website.
12. If you missed Kiersten’s dance call notes, CLICK HERE.

OK, that’s enough for now. Remember……. 90 seconds……..

Break Legs!

-Michael Detroit-
Audition Coordinator
UPTA

Hi Gang!

Things are picking up quite a bit around the UPTA offices…..

Here are a few tidbits for you……

1. All my group emails (Notes #1, Notes #2) will now also be posted on our website (www.upta.org) under “BLOGS.” If you missed the first email from me, check the BLOG.
2. We’ve also added a HOTEL FORUM on the website. If you’re looking for roommates, want advice on hotels, where to go, what to stay away from, etc., go to this forum and “talk amongst yourselves.”
3. As of today, 109 companies! More than ever before! And we still have a month to go! Check the REGISTERED COMPANY list to see who will be here and when.
4. Please let us know by tomorrow (Friday 1/11) if you are cancelling so we can get folks off the waiting lists. If you do cancel, we can still distribute your headshots if you’d like. Contact my assistant Lindsey (lindsey@upta.org) if you need to cancel or distribute.
5. We freeze all the audition lists tomorrow. After tomorrow, there can be no additions. After the 18th, there can be no changes as we start to collate over 100,000 headshots.
6. All headshots are due in our offices by Friday, January 18th - NEXT FRIDAY. 125 headshots for non-Equity, 50 for Equity. If you think you may have sent less than that (and I think some of you did…..), please send the difference now. You don’t want us making bad xerox copies for you. Remember, not postmarked by the 18th, HERE by the 18th.
7. There are still slots available for production personnel interviews. If you know anyone qualified who may be interested in attending the production interviews, send them to our website to register.
   
8. In the next couple of emails, I’ll send notes from Jose Simbulan, our accompanist, on music prep - a note from Doug Truelson, the Southeast Traveling Rep for Actors’ Equity - and, as soon as it’s built and on the stage, a picture of the set upon which you’ll audition. This year, it’s Pirates of Penzance.

OK, that’s it for now. Remember… Blog, Hotel Forum, Headshots by the 18th…..

OH! ………… And auditions under 90 seconds, extra back up pieces for callbacks, portfolios, slides, and other tech materials for interviews, and

Break a Leg!

Michael Detroit
Audition Coordinator
UPTA