Theatre Bay Area's General Auditions Info
Theatre Bay Area currently hosts three auditions a year:
Bay Area General Auditions
2010 General Auditions Actor Application now available!
2010 General Auditions Auditor Application now available!
Click here for a list of auditors at the 2009 Bay Area General Auditions
Click here for the 2010 General Auditions FAQ's (DOC)
South Bay Regional Auditions
2010 Application Summer 2010
Click here for a list of auditors at the 2009 South Bay Regional Auditions
North Bay Regional Auditions
2010 Application available Summer 2010
Click here for a list of auditors at the 2009 North Bay Regional Auditions
Annual General Auditions FAQS - 2010 (for actors)
What are the General Auditions?
The General Auditions (also referred to as the "TBA's") is an annual Equity-sanctioned event where member performers can be seen by 100-150 auditors representing 80-90 large to small West Coast theatre companies, as well as independent directors and casting directors.
When are the 2010 Bay Area General Auditions?
The 2010 Bay Area Generals are scheduled for January 29- 31, 2010.
Who can participate in the General Auditions?
Equity actors who retain their equity membership through January 2010 are automatically eligible for a slot. Equity actors must include proof of their Equity membership with their application.
Non-Equity actors who are members of Theatre Bay Area can submit the application for a chance to participate in a weighted lottery where participants are selected. Non-Equity applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Must maintain their Theatre Bay Area membership through January 30, 2010 and
2. Must show on their resume the equivalent of at least one year of full-time acting training; or at least eight stage productions apart from school.
What if I am a non-equity actor not currently a member of TBA?
You must be a member of Theatre Bay Area by December 7, 2009 (membership good through 01/30/2010) in order for your application to be processed. Ideally, send your membership form with your General Audition application or join online at www.theatrebayarea.org. On the General Audition application form where it asks for your membership number please write “just joined”.
What if I am a member of TBA and do not have my membership number?
Leave this line blank if you do not have your number. Please do not call or email TBA for this number. We will associate it with your membership when it arrives and contact you if we have questions. A side note: You need your membership number to access the TBA Web site and maximize your membership. Feel free to email members@theatrebayarea.org if you need a new card.
When is the application due?
The applications must be postmarked by December 7, 2009. No late applications can be accepted. This rule is strictly enforced!
How are the participants selected?
Equity applications with proof of Equity membership are guaranteed a slot. An independent panel of representatives from the theatre community screens all non-Equity applicants to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined above. This committee then holds a weighted lottery on all eligible applicants.
What does "weighted lottery" mean?
There are many more applicants than we have room to schedule. Rather than simply "drawing applications out of a hat," we have worked with Bay Area theatres to identify their general casting needs and have based our sorting process to reflect these needs. We aim for a group of actors which is inclusive and diverse, in terms of experience, age, ethnicity and previous participation at the General Auditions.
How many applications does TBA receive?
Last year there were approximately 500 applications for approximately 350 slots.
What can I do to maximize my chances of getting a slot?
While we do not require that you generate a resume specifically for your General Audition application, it is imperative that your resume reflects the minimum eligibility as outlined above.
Your resume must show eight productions outside of school or the equivalent one year full-time acting training. Productions at an elementary school, high school, college/university or sponsored by any other training program do not count toward your eight productions. Please be sure that productions that were not school related but may have been performed in a school location are correctly credited on your resume so that it is clear to the screeners why this was not a school production.
See below for tips on making sure your resume reflects one year full-time acting training. Please review your resume to be sure that it clearly states how you meet these guidelines.
What constitutes “the equivalent of one year full-time acting training”?
There is not a hard and fast answer to this question because many acting training programs are very different in their requirements and commitments. However, when looking at traditional “classes,” a good rule of thumb is to equate your acting training to a full time year of school. A typical full-time semester of school would be about four classes. A year would be eight classes. If you feel that you meet this requirement, you may want to make sure your resume specifies individual classes and course length. The eligibility screening decisions of the panel is final. Be sure your resume clearly reflects your eligibility.
What constitutes “eight shows outside of school”?
To be eligible for the lottery you must have been in eight productions that take place outside a training setting. The following are things that may be included on your resume as it exists now, but would not count toward this requirement.
1. Scene work from an acting class
2. A final presentation from an acting class
3. Any role in an elementary-, junior-, high school- or university-sponsored production
4. Film work
(Please note: generally, improv performances do not count, although there are some exceptions)
If you have been involved in a professional production that took place at a training facility, please credit the production company rather than the venue on your resume. The eligibility screening decisions of the panel is final. Be sure your resume clearly reflects your eligibility.
Why do I have to submit two headshots and resumes with my application?
All eligible applicants who are not given an audition slot through the lottery will have their headshots and resumes available for the auditors to review over the course of the weekend.
How do I hear whether or not I have been given a slot?
All applicants will receive notification by e-mail (“snail mail” when necessary) whether or not they receive a slot. Applicants that receive slots are encouraged to read their notice very carefully for special instructions regarding location, arrival time, confirming of their slot and materials to bring. A certain number of applicants will receive notice that they have been put on a waiting list, our way of ensuring no slot go unused due to cancellations.
What if I am on the waiting list?
Waiting list applicants will receive all pertinent information with their notice and will be notified as soon as possible if a slot opens up for them. Waiting list applicants are encouraged to plan as if they have a slot and to be prepared. While we attempt to give as much notice as possible, we may not be able to give you more than 48 hours notice.
If I'm given a slot, how much time do I have?
Equity auditions are three minutes and non-Equity auditions are two minutes, starting after you complete the introduction of your piece(s). This time is yours to fill as you see fit. It is customary to prepare two contrasting monologues or one monologue and one song, but feel free to fill the time in a way that you think best showcases your skills and maximizes your hiring potential.
Why do we only get two (or three) minutes?
Actors often feel that two (or three) minutes is not enough to showcase their talents, and that it is difficult to find contrasting pieces to fit in the time frame. Remember the goal of these auditions is to get a callback. It is extremely rare for anyone to get a role only from their general audition. Keeping that in mind, this audition is the equivalent of a “casting handshake”. Give the directors a taste of what you can do and leave them wanting more. They will be delighted to call you back to see more of what you can offer. Two (or three) minutes are more than enough time to accomplish these goals. In fact, you may want to consider using even less time: perhaps 2 forty-five second pieces.
Does TBA offer any assistance in preparing for the Generals?
TBA has a number of events geared toward assisting you in your General Audition preparation. Please visit for our Spotlight page on the Theatre Bay Area web site or the December/January issues of Theatre Bay Area for a current list of events.
If I do not get a slot, can I “drop in” at the auditions?
Only actors who have a confirmed slot will be seen at the auditions. Remember, everyone who applies but is not seen will have their resume available for review at the auditions.
What is the ATLAS program?
ATLAS is a program to encourage actors to develop the business side of the careers by providing 17 hours of training toward the goal of identifying specific and personal goals for success and writing an actor’s career map (read business plan) to meet these goals. The 30 actors who enroll in the program will get automatic slots in the 2010 General Auditions as well as feedback on their audition that will help inform their map. Check out the ATLAS page of the Theatre Bay Area Web site for more information on the program.
Please contact Dale Albright, director of individual services, at (415) 430-1140, ext.14 with additional questions. You can also e-mail him at dale-at-theatrebayarea-dot-org.
