The University of Idaho Theater Department has decided to hold virtual auditions because “The show must go on,” and stand by tradition.
According to Jillian Park, UI theater student and stage manager of the production, “The Revolutionist,” theater students received emails about virtual auditions during the first week of school.
“I know usually, we have several community and university contacts that we use to get the word out,” Park said. “However, in COVID-19 times, I know everything was a little more chaotic and we didn’t have as much time as we usually do.”
Park can’t say how many people the notifications reached, but knows everyone enrolled in a major or a minor in the theater department received several emails during the first week of school.
The auditions for Park’s production were held with two options—pre-recorded video submissions or a live audition on Zoom.
“The requirements were the same, a slate and a one-minute monologue or story,” Park said. “(Those who auditioned) had the option to pre-record it and upload it.”
Two other theater students, Kalyssa Montoya and Luke Holt, put together an instructional video for students to reference when preparing for their audition.
The video titled “The Audition Commandments” began with the students singing a parodied instructional version of “Ten Duel Commandments” from the well-known Broadway musical “Hamilton” explaining the requirements for each audition.
After the instructional song, the video cuts to Montoya and Holt sitting together and sharing advice for those interested and planning on participating in the auditions.
More than 30 students chose to audition for “The Revolutionist” on Aug. 29. More auditions will be held this way for other productions throughout this semester and potentially next semester.
The department plans on holding five productions this year.
Park said.“It was decided before classes started this term that the two productions and the first half of workshops, for one of our MFA’s scripts that’s going up next term, this term will all be virtual. I’m not entirely sure if the faculty has made a decision yet for next term or not. I’m sure they’ll let us know when that has been finalized.”
Paige Fiskecan be contacted [email protected].