Fall 2022 unified auditions

When: August 24th & 25th 2022 6PM – 10PM

Where: In Person [tspace + mtb 2013] & Online [self-recorded video submission]

Casting is open to all full-time degree-seeking Mason students, regardless of major, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students audition for all shows to be produced in the semester in one session. Auditions for productions will be held, online, during the first week of classes each semester.

On-time attendance for rehearsals and performances is required. Unless otherwise stated by the director(s), all rehearsals will be conducted in person Eastern Time. Your availability for rehearsal and performance is determined by your answers on the conflict form. Any additional conflicts are subject to prior approval by the Director and the Production Manager.

Any pictures of you taken during the audition, rehearsal, or performance process may be used by the School of Theater and George Mason University for promotional purposes.

Follow these steps to audition!

productions & production dates

The Originals!

Dates: September 9 & 10, 2022 (w/potential recording date Sept. 11th)

Presented in TheaterSpace

Synopsis: The Mason Players Originals is comprised of pieces completely by our students! This year, there are six 10 minute shows that are student written and directed.

The Fall 2022  Mason Players The Originals! 
  
ROBIN’S THERAPY 
(For casting consideration please audition in the musical auditions) music, lyrics & book  by Brett Womack  
Directed by Brandon Morris
 
FULL DISCLOSURE 
by Lillian Della Maggiora 
Directed by Shannon Rodgers 
  
SEVEN YEARS’ TIME 
by Dyllan Hutchinson  
Directed by Jeremy Pritchard 
   
 MERRY, BRIGHT, ETC. 
by Zoe Harr 
Directed by Erin Birchfield 
 
I SHOULDN’T HAVE STUFFED MY MUFFIN WITH JELLY 
by Trevor Handlin  
Directed by Josiah Arnett 
  
THE GREAT AMERICAN CLASS INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE 
by Sarah Strunk 
Directed by Caroline Austin

Head Over Heels

Book by Jeff Whitty; adapted by James Magruder
Based on the book The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia by Sir Philip Sydney
Music by The Go-Go’s / Lyrics by The Go-Go’s

Directed by Erin Gardiner
Musical direction by Joe Walsh
Choreography by Stefan Sittig

Dates: October 28-30

Presented in the CFA Concert Hall

Synopsis: Head Over Heels is the bold new musical comedy from the visionaries that rocked Broadway with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q, and Spring Awakening. This laugh-out-loud love story follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their kingdom from extinction. This hilarious story is set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s, including the hit songs “We Got the Beat” and Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”

Sutta*

Written and Directed By Djola Branner

Dates: November 18-20

Presented in TheaterSpace

Synopsis: It’s 2017, and a young doctoral candidate is in the final throes of his dissertation on ancient religious traditions in the modern world. His research takes him to a Buddhist monastery where he grapples with identity, history, culture, and ultimately with who is entitled to enlightenment. Sutta combines movement, music, and text as theatrical language, and this production marks its world premiere.

*Please note: If cast in Sutta, you must register for THR 493 which meets TR 10:30-11:45am.

FAQs

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions! If you’re question is still unanswered, please send us a message under our contact us tab!

What is a side/monologue?

All theater majors are expected to prepare a 60-90 sec contemporary monologue. Non-majors can do a monolouge or there will also be sides available. A monolouge is a long speech given by a singular actor in a play. A monologue often tells a story. For auditions these should be memorized and be around 60-90 seconds. If you don’t have a monoluge ready, consider performing a cold reading. A “side” or “cold reading” is a small piece of text from the script. This can be a monolouge or sometimes a conversation between two actors. Sides and cold readings can be found in the Blackboard Organization under ‘Content’ then under ‘cold reading sides’. These don’t need to be memorized, but the actor should be very familiar with them. If the scene is between two actors, you do NOT need to bring someone to read with you. A director or stage manager will do this with you.

Do I have to be a theater major or a Mason Player to audition?

Nope! Casting is open to any and all full-time degree-seeking Mason students, regardless of major, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students audition for all shows to be produced in the semester in one session.

How do I film a self-tape?

Prop your phone up in front of a blank wall with good lighting and show off your skills! (Click on the star for some extra tips!)

I’m having trouble joining the Blackboard Organization, what should I do?

To audition you MUST join the Blackboard and fill out all the necessary forms. Click on the little link icon in the right corner to access self-register! If you're still having trouble, please make sure you are accessing it on a computer. We have been told that accessing the link on a phone or mobile device might not work. If you are on a desktop and it is still not working, please contact Ruth Yamamoto at ryamamot@gmu.edu. or Samba Pathak at spathak5@gmu.edu

How do I sign up to audition?

You MUST be registered in the blackboard organization to sign up or submit an audition. You can audition either by a digital video submission or in person. You can submit videos at any point before August 25th at 10PM or sign up for an in-person slot through the sign-up genius on the Blackboard under ‘content’ and ‘In-Person audition slot sign-up link’.

Where is TheaterSpace?

TheaterSpace where we will be holding in person auditions for The Originals and Sutta. TheaterSpace is located on the bottom floor of the de Laski Performing Arts Building, directly on the right of the George Mason Statue. The theater is located down the hall on the left when getting off the elevator or straight ahead through the double doors when heading down the stairs. Go through the double doors and turn right. You should see several stage managers sitting at a table. You are there!

Where is MTB 2013?

MTB 2013 is what we call Music Theater Building, Room 2013. This is where we will be holding auditions for Head Over Heels. From the Johnson Center, exit on the first floor, from the west side of the building. The Music Theater building will be the building on the left. Go down the stairs to the left enter on the first floor or go up the ramp on your right to enter on the second floor. If coming from parking lot k, pass Mason Pond and the center for the arts. Keep walking down the path past the Center For The Arts (left). Once at the stairs leading to the Johnson Center, turn right to enter in on the first floor, or go to your left, and go up the ramp to enter in on the second floor.

None of this is helpful, who can I reach out to?

Auditions can be scary and confusing. Please make sure you read through all of the information on this website and on our Instagram. The answer to most questions can be found there. If we have not answered your question already you can reach out to any of the following individuals. For the quickest response please follow The Mason Players on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @TheMasonPlayers and send over a DM or email The Mason Players Student Staff at MasonPlayersGMU@gmail.com. | Help from Faculty- Production Manager, Ruth Yamamoto (She/Her) - ryamamot@gmu.edu. Program Manager, Nick Horner (He/Him) -nhorner@gmu.edu | Help from other Students - Mason Players Company Manager, Megan Lederman (She/Her) - mleder@gmu.edu or @meglederman |