the 2027 General Auditions will be held on
Saturday, February 6 & Sunday, February 7, 2027
10 AM - 5:30 PM
A.C.T.'s Strand Theater in San Francisco, CA
About
TBA's 2027 General Auditions will bring together casting professionals, artistic directors, and over 250 local actors for a weekend of Bay Area talent. This year, we are partnering with A.C.T. to hold the General Auditions at the Strand Theater in San Francisco.
Timeline
Theatre Bay Area has multiple events planned to support actors during the General Auditions process. Here are some dates to put in your calendar!
Application Open: October 19, 2026
Auditor Ticket Sales Open: October 19, 2026
General Auditions Applications Tips Webinars: November 7th at 12 PM and 9th at 6 PM
Application Close: November 19, 2026
End of Early Bird Ticket Prices: December 1, 2026
Actor Notification: January 4, 2027
Actor Audition Prep Webinars: January 9th and 11th 2027
Deadline to Accept Live Audition: January 22, 2027
Live General Auditions in San Francisco: February 6 and 7, 2027
Full General Auditions Actor Database Shared with Auditors: February 8, 2027
About Actor Selection at the 2027 General Auditions
Theatre Bay Area will work with a team of five highly skilled independent casting directors to select the actors for the 2027 General Auditions. Auditioning actors are selected based on several factors, representing a breadth of special skills, experience, and training, as well as casting type. The selection process is weighted toward casting types and skills in demand, based on auditor feedback and survey data.
The 2027 casting team is fully assembled. If you are a casting director that would like to be part of the casting team for a future General Auditions, please email Melissa Hillman at Melissa@TheatreBayArea.org with your resume.
What's New this year at the TBA General Auditions?
This year, TBA will hold a concurrent dance call on both days of auditions! We hope that by including this new element in the General Auditions that casting directors and choreographers will be able to get to know a wider breadth of Bay Area performers.
What this means for actors: All eligible actors who apply to the 2027 auditions will have the opportunity to sign up to participate in the dance call. Actors are not required to participate in the dance call in order to participate in the live acting and singing audition slots, and actors that are not selected for live acting and singing slots may still participate in the dance call.
What this means for companies: Each Company Pass will include a dedicated choreographer slot to have someone from your company attend the dance call. Individual Choreographers may attend the Dance Call under a Solo Pass.
Who attended the 2026 General Auditions?
3Girls Theatre Company, Actors' Reading Collective, African-American Shakespeare Company, Altarena Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, Awesome Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center REPertory Company, College of Marin Drama Department, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Crowded Fire Theater, De Anza College, DRAMA with Friends, Eugene O'Neill Foundation, Foothill College Theatre Arts Dept./Foothill Music, Grabmeier and Jost, Hillbarn Theatre, Holy Cow the Musical, Jonah/Sita, Left Coast Theatre Co., Karina Gutierrez, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Marin Shakespeare Company, Marian Ferrara, Réal Vargas Alanis, Robert Moog, The Royal Underground Theatre Company, Salim Razawi, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO), SF Mime Troupe, SF Playhouse, Shann Oliver, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Stan Roth, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Todd Clow, Town Hall Theatre Company, Weston Terray, Woander World, Word for Word/Z Space, Yiddish Theatre Ensemble
Learn More
Actors
The 2027 General Auditions are your chance to be seen by companies from across the Bay Area!
Deadline
The 2027 General Auditions application will be open from October 19 - November 19, 2026, at 11:59pm. Any applications submitted after the deadline are ineligible.
Eligibility
Applications are open to all TBA Individual Members, including Premium, Free, and individual users on a Company's membership. There is no cost to apply or audition, though audition slots are limited.
TBA General Auditions are open to both AEA and non-AEA actors. More details for AEA actors below.
Selection Process
In collaboration with a team of 5 independent casting directors, auditioning actors will be selected based on several factors, representing a breadth of special skills, experience, and training, as well as casting type. The selection process will be weighted toward casting types and skills in demand, based on auditor feedback and survey data.
While we will try to prioritize actors that applied for the 2026 General Auditions and did not receive a live slot at the 2026 San Francisco General Auditions or the South Bay Regional Auditions, we cannot guarantee that you will receive a live audition.
Following the 2027 General Auditions, auditors will receive the profiles of all actors who applied for the auditions, not just those who were selected for a live slot. We encourage all eligible actors to apply to ensure that your profile appears in the 2027 General Auditions database!
Eligibility for 2027 Regional Auditions
Actors who apply for the 2027 General Auditions will have the option of also being considered for Regional Auditions held in the North Bay, South Bay, and/or East Bay later in 2027. Priority in those auditions will be given to actors who apply for but do not receive a slot at the 2027 General Auditions.
Audition Schedule
This year, the General Auditions will have a few fixed blocks of auditions.
- AEA Actors will be scheduled either Saturday 10 - 11 AM or Sunday 4:30 - 5:30 PM
- Actors under 18 will be scheduled in the 2:30 PM block on both Saturday and Sunday.
- A concurrent dance call will be held 2:30 - 4 PM on both days of auditions. Participation in this dance call is not required to participate in the acting/singing portion of the auditions and will be open to all eligible actors regardless of if you are selected for an acting/singing slot.
Timeline
Theatre Bay Area has multiple events planned to support actors during the General Auditions process. Here are some dates to put in your calendar!
Application Open: October 19, 2026
Auditor Ticket Sales Open: October 19, 2026
General Auditions Applications Tips Webinars: November 7th at 12 PM and 9th at 6 PM
Application Close: November 19, 2026
End of Early Bird Ticket Prices: December 1, 2026
Actor Notification: January 4, 2027
Actor Audition Prep Webinars: January 9th and 11th 2027
Deadline to Accept Live Audition: January 22, 2027
Live General Auditions in San Francisco: February 6 and 7, 2027
Full General Auditions Actor Database Shared with Auditors: February 8, 2027
Here's who attended the 2026 General Auditions:
3Girls Theatre Company, Actors' Reading Collective, African-American Shakespeare Company, Altarena Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, Awesome Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center REPertory Company, College of Marin Drama Department, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Crowded Fire Theater, De Anza College, DRAMA with Friends, Eugene O'Neill Foundation, Foothill College Theatre Arts Dept./Foothill Music, Grabmeier and Jost, Hillbarn Theatre, Holy Cow the Musical, Jonah/Sita, Left Coast Theatre Co., Karina Gutierrez, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Marin Shakespeare Company, Marian Ferrara, Réal Vargas Alanis, Robert Moog, The Royal Underground Theatre Company, Salim Razawi, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO), SF Mime Troupe, SF Playhouse, Shann Oliver, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Stan Roth, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Todd Clow, Town Hall Theatre Company, Weston Terray, Woander World, Word for Word/Z Space, Yiddish Theatre Ensemble
Questions?
Check out the FAQ at the bottom of this page.
Still need assistance? Email Programs Officer Melissa Hillman at Melissa@TheatreBayArea.org
Auditors
About Auditing
Attendance at the 2027 General Auditions is open to all casting professionals and theatre artists regardless of TBA membership status. Current TBA company members will receive access to discounted registration.
A note for BAT/LORT Theatres: while the 2027 Generals will not fulfill one of your annual AEA audition requirements, both AEA and non-AEA actors will be auditioning.
Actor Selection
TBA is thrilled this year to work with a team of five highly skilled independent casting directors for the 2027 General Auditions. Auditioning actors will be selected based on several factors, representing a breadth of special skills, experience, and training, as well as casting type. The selection process will be weighted toward casting types and skills in demand, based on auditor feedback and survey data.
Costs and Discounts
Any registration for this year's event gives you access to the entire weekend of auditions!
A Company Pass allows you to add up to four members to your casting team, including one dedicated slot for a choreographer to attend the Dance Call. Those four individuals may attend as much of the full weekend of auditions as they like, and each will receive 1 year of access to the digital contact book. Please contact us at Meghan@TheatreBayArea.org if you would like to bring more than four individuals.
A Solo Pass allows you to attend as much of the full weekend of auditions as you like on your own. Please note that the member discount for this pass is only available to TBA Individual Premium Members.
There are discounts available for TBA members and an additional 10% discount for all during the early bird period. (Ends Tuesday, December 1, 2026)
Company Pass
Register 1-4 auditors for a full weekend of auditions and 1 year of access to the digital contact book. Register for a Company Pass!
Early Bird
Open now through December 1, 2026
General Admission
$180
Member Discount
Company & Associate Members
$135
Member Discount
Company Members with Annual Budget <$300k
$90
Standard
Dec. 1, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027
General Admission
$200
Member Discount
Company & Associate Members
$150
Member Discount
Company Members with Annual Budget <$300k
$100
Solo Pass
Register yourself for a full weekend of auditions and 1 year of access to the digital contact book. Register for a Solo Pass!
Early Bird
Open now through December 1, 2026
General Admission
$135
Member Discount
Individual Premium Members Only!
$72
Standard
Dec. 1, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027
General Admission
$150
Member Discount
Individual Premium Members Only!
$80
Questions?
Email Programs Officer Melissa Hillman at Melissa@TheatreBayArea.org
F.A.Q. for Actors
When will I know if I get a slot?
Actors will be contacted the week of January 4, 2027. If selected for a live audition slot, actors will have 2 weeks to confirm your time, otherwise your slot will be given to an actor on the waitlist.
Anyone who doesn't receive a slot will still have their General Auditions profile shared with all of this year's auditors and will have priority for 2027 Regional Auditions.
What should I prepare for the live auditions?
Each actor will have 2 minutes to present their strongest material to the auditors. This might look like two contrasting monologues, a monologue and a song, two contrasting songs, or something else depending on your personal strengths and interests.
What does it mean for me that there's a Dance Call at this year's General Auditions?
This year, TBA will hold a concurrent dance call on both days of auditions! We hope that by including this new element in the General Auditions that casting directors and choreographers will be able to get to know a wider breadth of Bay Area performers.
What this means for actors: All eligible actors who apply to the 2027 auditions will have the opportunity to sign up to participate in the dance call. Actors are not required to participate in the dance call in order to participate in the live acting and singing audition slots, and actors that are not selected for live acting and singing slots may still participate in the dance call.
What this means for companies: Each Company Pass will include a dedicated choreographer slot to have someone from your company attend the dance call. Individual Choreographers may attend the Dance Call under a Solo Pass.
Before the pandemic, I applied for TBA Generals twice and never got a slot. Am I guaranteed a slot now?
After the extended break caused by the pandemic shutdowns, TBA "reset the clock" in 2024. If you applied in both 2025 and 2026 and did not get offered a slot, you will be guaranteed a slot in 2027.
We will try to prioritize actors that applied for the 2026 General Auditions and did not receive a live slot, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive a live audition.
I'm a minor/non-union actor/retiree etc. am I eligible to apply to the TBA Generals?
Yes!
Applications are open to all TBA Individual Members, including Premium, Free, and individual users on a Company's membership. There is no cost to apply or audition, though audition slots are limited.
TBA General Auditions are open to both AEA and non-AEA actors. Please note that due to time constraints, there is not a dedicated AEA day in this year's auditions.
Which companies will be there?
As auditors purchase access, we will list them on the General Auditions page on our website.
Here's who attended the 2026 General Auditions:
3Girls Theatre Company, Actors' Reading Collective, African-American Shakespeare Company, Altarena Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, Awesome Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center REPertory Company, College of Marin Drama Department, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Crowded Fire Theater, De Anza College, DRAMA with Friends, Eugene O'Neill Foundation, Foothill College Theatre Arts Dept./Foothill Music, Grabmeier and Jost, Hillbarn Theatre, Holy Cow the Musical, Jonah/Sita, Left Coast Theatre Co., Karina Gutierrez, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Marin Shakespeare Company, Marian Ferrara, Réal Vargas Alanis, Robert Moog, The Royal Underground Theatre Company, Salim Razawi, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO), SF Mime Troupe, SF Playhouse, Shann Oliver, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Stan Roth, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Todd Clow, Town Hall Theatre Company, Weston Terray, Woander World, Word for Word/Z Space, Yiddish Theatre Ensemble
Details for AEA Actors and Theatres
Will there be AEA actors at the 2027 General Auditions?
While the 2027 General Auditions will not fill the BAT and LORT requirement for their annual AEA auditions, AEA actors and theatres with AEA contracts are enthusiastically welcome to participate in the Generals.
Let us know if you are looking to hire AEA actors in your upcoming season in our casting survey!
This will ensure that the pool of actors at the live auditions reflects your casting needs.
What does that mean for AEA Actors?
All auditioners, regardless of union status, will have a 2-minute slot to audition, and no one will be guaranteed an audition slot.
While we won’t have an entire day dedicated to AEA auditions, all AEA actors will be scheduled within the following blocks:
- Saturday, February 6th: 10 - 11 AM
- Sunday, February 7th: 4:30 - 5:30 PM
A Little History
Prior to 2020, Actors' Equity Association allowed BAT and LORT theatres in the Bay Area to fulfill one of their annual AEA audition requirements with TBA’s General Auditions. This required TBA General Auditions to meet specific criteria for AEA actors, like guaranteed audition slots and longer audition slots.
Once AEA no longer allowed BAT and LORT theatres to use TBA General Auditions as one of their required annual AEA auditions, Theatre Bay Area made the decision that all actors, regardless of union status, will apply and audition under the same rules and guidelines. Since 2024, the TBA general auditions have included both AEA and non-AEA actors on both days of the event.
Sponsor or Advertise
Sponsorships
We are looking to partner with sponsors who believe in the vitality of the Bay Area arts community and want to connect with the hundreds of participating professionals while supporting this unique event.
For questions about sponsorships, please contact TBA's Managing Director Ann Marie Lonsdale at AnnMarie@TheatreBayArea.org.
Advertising
The 2027 General Auditions will bring together over 250 local actors, plus dozens of directors, artistic directors, and casting professionals. Our affordable ad options help support this highly anticipated event, while connecting these talented creatives with professional services and opportunities. Like all TBA advertising, Company and Associate members get a 30% discount.
Tabling
As actors exit the auditions, the lobby space will be an opportunity to chat with tabling vendors. Want to reach performers with services like headshot photography or voice lessons? Looking to amplify your reach for teaching artist opportunities? Tables are available in half or full size on one or both days and includes print ad space.
Print Ads
Each actor and auditor of the event will receive a folder jam-packed with relevant information — share your events, services, and opportunities with the professional performer community. Full page ads are 8.5x11in and half pages are 8.5x5.5in.
How To
Purchase your advertising using the links above. After purchasing your General Auditions advertising, TBA staff will reach out within 1 business day with next steps.
Questions?
Email Marketing & Communications Officer Hilary Buffum at Hilary@TheatreBayArea.org