Unified Professional Theatre Auditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Actor FAQ

Production Personnel FAQ

Company FAQ

Is your question not here? Email it to us, and we'll answer you directly.

Q. How much is the registration fee for Actors?

A. $37.50 before 11/30/12, $50 thereafter. BACK TO TOP

Q. How much is the registration fee for Production Personnel?

A. $37.50 before 11/30/12, $50 thereafter. BACK TO TOP

Q. I would like to attend both as an Actor and as a Production person. Do I have to pay twice?

A. No. Your registration fee ($37.50 before 11/30/12, $50 thereafter) allows you to do both assuming you meet the requirements of both. Click here for criteria. However, you must fill out both the actor and Production Personnel sections of the registration form. BACK TO TOP

Q. What are the requirements to attend as an Actor?

A. Click here for criteria. BACK TO TOP

Q. What is the difference between Pre-Professional Auditions and Regular Auditions?

A. Pre-Professional Auditions are for those folks who will have their undergrad degrees in Theatre by 9/1/13. Pre-Professional actors are looking to build their resumes and are willing to accept chorus, ensemble, and intern positions. There are generally a few less companies in attendance for Pre-Professional Auditions. Check our current list of registered companies here to see who will be attending Pre-Professional Auditions.

Regular Auditions are for those folks who have more experience and/or training under their belt. In either case, you must be available for work year-round - in other words - not returning to school in the Fall or Spring.

Make sure you are aware of the criteria involved for attending either audition. Click here for the criteria. BACK TO TOP

Q. I need an UPTA or TCG company validation in order to attend the Regular Auditions. Who is permitted to validate me for the UPTA and TCG member theatres?

A. You need to have somebody from the resident artistic leadership validate you. That includes Artistic Director, Executive Director, Executive Producer, Producer, Owner, Associate Producer, Casting Director, and the like. Every company is a little different in terms of their leadership titles. Validations from Guest Directors or folks a few levels down the leadership food chain are not acceptable. You must provide the name, email address, and position of the person validating you in your Registration Form. That person will then receive an email from us requesting a validation on your behalf. Once we have received that validation, your registration will be complete. BACK TO TOP

Q. Must I have worked at an UPTA or TCG theatre in order to obtain a validation from them?

A. Some yes - some no. That answer varies from company to company. Contact the company to find out what their criteria is in order to validate you. BACK TO TOP

Q. Can I register online if I don't have a headshot to upload?

A. Yes, click the button which states "If you do not have a digital headshot check this box." Your registration will be processed, but you must mail one headshot to us by December 31, 2012, and for a fee of $5.00, we will scan and upload your photo for you. BACK TO TOP

Q. I'm filling out resume information online. Do I still need to bring headshots and resumes?

A. Yes. Company reps will still want your real headshot and resume when you go to callbacks. BACK TO TOP

Q. I'm trying to fill out the registration form, but I get an error about JavaScript, what does that mean?

A. We use JavaScript to validate the information you input into our registration form and to alter the form based on your input. You must have JavaScript enabled, or be using a JavaScript capable browser to register online. Click here for help enabling JavaScript in your browser. If you continue to experience problems, please don't hesitate to contact us and let us know what is happening. BACK TO TOP

Q. What will my uploaded headshot and resume look like when it is printed out for the company reps?

A. Click here for an example of a submitted headshot and resume form. BACK TO TOP

Q. How many resumes and headshots should I bring?

A. Good rule of thumb is to bring twice as many as there are companies registered. BACK TO TOP

Q. Once I'm registered, am I assigned an audition number and/or time slot?

A. You will be assigned an audition number. You will NOT be assigned a time slot. The reason is simple. If we had time slots assigned, and people don't show up, assigned times go out the window. You can guesstimate your audition time in very general terms however. Actors are seen in groups of 25. Each group takes 40 - 55 minutes to complete. There are 100 auditions before the lunch break. Here is an example: Your audition number is 336 on Saturday. Auditions begin with number 251 at 9am. You are in the 4th group of 25 in the morning. Most likely, your group will be going in to audition around 11:30am - 12 noon. Always err on the side of being early! Now, keep in mind, if the bus from Timbuktu carrying 21 actors (numbers 280 - 301) doesn't show up, everyone in attendance slides up 21 slots. So number 302 will audition immediately after number 279 - and you, as number 336 are now in the 3rd group before lunch. Bottom line, err on the side of being early! In addition, we will have an audition hotline that you can call to find out which number is onstage. If you haven't already, make sure you check out the itinerary here. BACK TO TOP

Q. I need to send in a validation form but I did not receive one, where can I find them?

A. Validation will be electronic this year. If a validation is required during registration, you will be asked to enter the information of the person validating you into the Registration Form. Validation requests are sent and received by email, we no longer use hard copy validation forms. If you have any questions about this procedure please contact Courtney Oliver for assistance. BACK TO TOP

Q. How long will the audition process take?

A. The audition process for you will all happen in one day. Your 90-second audition will be during the day. Your dance callbacks and acting callbacks for the companies will occur that afternoon and evening. Hopefully, you'll have so many callbacks that you'll be busy till late into the evening. The next day, it starts all over again for folks auditioning on that day. BACK TO TOP

Q. What are the Dance Callbacks all about?

A. Upon seeing your initial 90 second audition, companies will decide whether or not they'd like to see you at the dance callback after the main auditions have ended. To check the tentative itinerary, CLICK HERE. If they would like to see you at the dance callback, they will indicate so on the callback boards in the main callback room at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. If you are called to dance callbacks and you decide to go (you should, of course!), there will be three routines: a mover's routine, a tap routine, and a ballet/jazz routine. You may pick a MAXIMUM of two routines in which to participate. Once the dance callbacks have finished, you should check the main callback room again at the Memphis Marriott Downtown to see if any additional companies have called you back. Bring appropriate clothing and shoes for dance callbacks - even if you're not a dancer.

CLICK HERE for some great advice from our choreographer, Kiersten Mays. BACK TO TOP

Q. What happens if I miss my audition slot?

A. You won't miss your audition slot. OK, but let's say an act of some supreme being keeps you from your audition slot - Don't freak out! You'll still be able to audition. We'll move you either to the end of the morning group or to the end of the day - whichever seems easiest to accomplish. But you won't miss your audition slot, WILL YOU??

Q. How do I get to Memphis and around Memphis?

A. Delta Airlines is our official airline. For reservations and ticketing assistance call 1-800-328-1111 and refer to File Number: NM894.

UPTA has also partnered with Enterprise Car Rentals. Call 1-800-RENT-A-CAR or visit www.enterprise.com and refer to Corporate Class Number: 56WS414, PIN: PLA. Unlimited miles. No "Under 25" Fee. You may also check out the Travel Information Page. BACK TO TOP

Q. When should I arrive for my audition, and when should I leave?

A. We suggest you arrive at least a day before your audition to get your bearings, and leave no earlier than the day after your audition. Don't leave the day of your audition - your call backs may go late into the night. Of course you're welcome to come earlier and stay longer!. BACK TO TOP

Production Personnel FAQ

Is your question not here? Email it to us, and we'll answer you directly.

Q. What are the requirements to attend Production Personnel interviews?

A. CLICK HERE for criteria. BACK TO TOP

Q. I would like to attend both as an Actor and as a Production person. Do I have to pay twice?

A. No. Your registration fee ($37.50 before 11/30/12, $50 thereafter) allows you to do both assuming you meet the requirements of both. However, you must fill out both the actor and Production Personnel sections of the registration form. BACK TO TOP

Q. What is the interview process for Production Personnel?

A. First, you need to check in with the UPTA registration table at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Signage at the hotel will tell you where check-in is. Companies will post their available production positions at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in the posting room near the ballroom. You will note which companies have your position available. That same day, you will go and sign up for interview times on each of your noted companies' doors at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. You will finish your interviews that same afternoon/night. BACK TO TOP

Q. How long will this interview process take?

A. The interview process for you will all occur in one day - Saturday, February 9th. All production positions will be posted at the Memphis Marriott Downtown by 8:00am on Saturday, February 9th, and your interviews will be throughout the day. Some companies have only one rep in attendance, so keep in mind that interviews may not happen till after 5:00pm on Saturday. Those companies that bring more than one rep with them may start their callbacks earlier in the day. BACK TO TOP

Q. I'm only interviewing. Is there any reason I need to go to Playhouse on the Square?

A. All of your production interviews will occur at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. If you are not also auditioning, then no, you would not need to go to Playhouse on the Square. Of course, we'd love for you to go see Sunset Boulevard at Playhouse on the Square and The Mountaintop at our sister theatre, The Circuit Playhouse. BACK TO TOP

Q. How do I get to Memphis and around Memphis?

A. Delta Airlines is our official airline. For reservations and ticketing assistance call 1-800-328-1111 and refer to File Number: NM894.

UPTA has also partnered with Enterprise Car Rentals. Call 1-800-RENT-A-CAR or visit www.enterprise.com and refer to Corporate Class Number: 56WS414, PIN: PLA. Unlimited miles. No "Under 25" Fee. You may also check out the Travel Information Page. BACK TO TOP

Q. When should I arrive for my interview, and when should I leave?

A. We strongly suggest you arrive the day before your interview, and leave the day after. That allows you to become familiar with your surroundings, and you won't have to rush your interview by leaving the same day. Hopefully, you'll be so busy, you'll be interviewing late into the evening! Of course, you're welcome to come earlier and stay longer! BACK TO TOP

Company Frequently Asked Questions

Is your question not here? Email it to us, and we'll answer you directly.

Q. How much is the registration fee for my company?

A. $90 before 10/31/12, $125 thereafter. BACK TO TOP

Q. I'm interested in having my company attend. Is the registration fee per person, or per company?

A. The registration fee ($90 before 10/31/12, $125 thereafter) is for your company. There is not a per person fee. BACK TO TOP

Q. What are the requirements to attend as a company?

A. Click here for criteria. BACK TO TOP

Q. What is the difference between Pre-Professional and Regular Auditions?

A. Pre-Professional Auditions are for those folks who will have their undergrad degrees in Theatre by 9/1/13. Pre-Professional actors are looking to build their resumes and are willing to accept chorus, ensemble, and intern positions. There are generally a few less companies in attendance for Pre-Professional Auditions. Check our current list of registered companies here to see who will be attending Pre-Professional Auditions.

Regular Auditions are for those folks who have more experience and/or training under their belt. In either case, the actor must be available for work year-round - in other words - not returning to school in the Fall or Spring.

Make sure you are aware of the criteria involved for attending either audition. Click here for the criteria. BACK TO TOP

Q. How do callbacks work?

A. You will see actors in groups of 25 at Playhouse on the Square. After each group, we will collect the sheets you give us indicating those folks you'd like to see at callbacks. We will post those sheets at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. In addition, you will give us sheets to post on your callback room door indicating the times for which you want the actors to sign up.

ALL CALLBACKS WILL BE HELD AT THE Memphis Marriott Downtown. Most companies hold callbacks in their hotel rooms. Some companies reserve more than one room at the hotel in order to have a sleeping room and a callback/interview room. Also, there are additional "break out" rooms that you may reserve at the Memphis Marriott Downtown.

If you have more than one company rep in attendance, you might start your callbacks while initial auditions at Playhouse are still going on. Make sure to schedule additional callbacks outside the Dance callback time. BACK TO TOP

Q. What are the Dance Callbacks all about?

A. Upon seeing the actors' initial 90 second audition, you will also decide whether or not you'd like to see them at the dance callback after the main auditions have ended. To check the tentative itinerary, click here. If you would like to see them at the dance callback, you will indicate that on the callback sheets that we collect and post at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. There will be three routines: a mover's routine, a tap routine, and a ballet/jazz routine. Actors may pick a MAXIMUM of two routines in which to participate. Once the dance callbacks have finished, we will collect more callback sheets from you if you'd like to see them for an acting/singing callback in your callback room. BACK TO TOP

Q. How do Production Personnel interviews work?

A. All Production Personnel interviews occur on Saturday, February 9th. ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD AT THE Memphis Marriott Downtown. Prior to that Saturday, you will have supplied us with all your technical, administrative, and artistic production openings. We will post them at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. We will provide you with a sheet to put on your interview room door upon which you will have listed those times you'd like to interview folks. Some companies reserve more than one room at the hotel in order to have a sleeping room and a callback/interview room. Also, there are additional "break out" rooms that you may reserve at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. If you are also having actor callbacks, you will need to schedule your time accordingly to accommodate both. BACK TO TOP

Q. How do I get to Memphis and around Memphis?

A. Delta Airlines is our official airline. For reservations and ticketing assistance call 1-800-328-1111 and refer to File Number: NM894.

UPTA has also partnered with Enterprise Car Rentals. Call 1-800-RENT-A-CAR or visit www.enterprise.com and refer to Corporate Class Number: 56WS414, PIN: PLA. Unlimited miles. No "Under 25" Fee. You may also check out the Travel Information Page. BACK TO TOP

Designed by Rory Dale