AUDITION INFO
StoryBook believes that inclusivity and diversity are integral to the stories we tell on and off our stage. We want an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work. We encourage people of all ages, gender identities, races, sexual orientations, physical or mental abilities, and ethnicity to apply.
This season all our first rounds of auditions submissions will be by video.
AUDITIONS OPEN - Thursday, June 1 at 12 am
AUDITIONS CLOSE - Saturday, June 17 at 11:59 pm
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we wanted to check in to see where you might be in this audition learning process. Please select a statement that best describes you, and we will jump directly to the information that will support you in landing a successful audition!
Which would you say best describes YOU?
If this is all new to you, no sweat! We'll guide you through everything you need to know.
Believe it or not, more than 50% of the people who audition for StoryBook each year have never been a big musical or play like the ones we create. Even more insane is that typically 40-50% of the actors that appear on our stage each year have never been in shows with StoryBook or ever! So breathe easy; you are in good hands with a company that believes strongly in finding the most supportive ways to help everyone through the audition process.
All those looking to take part should be at least 10 years old in order to audition.
StoryBook believes that inclusivity and diversity are integral to the stories we tell on and off our stage and wants an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work. We encourage people of all ages, gender identities, races, sexual orientations, physical or mental abilities, and ethnicity to apply. In fact, we have a strict 35% representation rule when casting all our shows.
Please review our PAST SEASON STATISTICS and see how we are consciously making efforts to increase representation on the stage here are StoryBook Theatre.
THE FIRST STEP:
Learn what you don't know
On Monday May 29, we held our annual Audition Town Hall.
Learn more about our commitment expectations and timelines, tips for choosing your audition materials, and best practices for self tapes!
Below is a link to the recording of the session. Lots of great questions were asked and answered. Please take some time to review if you could not attend.
Recorded May 29, 2023
THE NEXT STEP:
Find your audition materials
All auditions require you to perform, and ours is no different. Picking audition material can sometimes be the hardest part of the process. Here are THREE THINGS to keep in mind when you are trying to decide.
ONE:
find something that
shows the best of you
There is only one you, so don't worry if you sing the song differently than the original artist, we want to meet and get to know you and how wonderful you are and could be to work with.
TWO:
we want you to be
the right person
Every time we watch an audition, the panel watching wants you to be great. They are rooting for you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
THREE:
it's not a performance
it's a chance to meet you
No one in that room has purchased a ticket, so be yourself. If you make a mistake, try again. Just be confident and remember, if you were cast in the show, you rehearse for hundreds of hours to get it right, so don't stress about being perfect for this moment.
Some folx struggle to find material because there is so much out there. Ultimately find material that you easily connect with. If you can find a song suitable for a show you want to be considered for, that's great, but that doesn't have to be the case. Just keep tip #1 in mind - Show the best of you. If you do that, we guarantee the team will hear and see your talent, and if you are a fit for their show, they will find a place for you.
What am I required to
PREPARE to be submitted?
Plan for CALLBACKS WEEK
Callbacks are an essential in-person requirement of the audition process. We strongly encourage everyone auditioning to plan to be in attendance at all our callbacks should you be invited. Setting aside the following dates would be a wise choice in your planning for casting consideration.
Each show holds its own callback, and in order to be considered for each show, you must attend each callback IF you are invited. Some callbacks are the full duration as listed, others may be a select part of the day. Details will be included in the invites. The callback dates are as follows:
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - Sunday, June 25 - 1pm to 9pm (with Music Man)
THE MUSIC MAN - Sunday, June 25 - 1pm to 9pm (with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
A WRINKLE IN TIME - Monday, June 26 - 6:30pm to 10:30pm
ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL - Wednesday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 10:30pm
HONK - Wednesday, July 5 - 6:30pm to 10:30pm
What shows and roles are there for me this season?
We have an incredible season of EXTRA-ORDINARY shows where each has a little something for everyone!
There are 9 shows with over 200 roles for actors ranging from 10 to 110 years old this season. Contrary to popular belief, we are looking for actors of all ages to participate in our shows. We want to share our stage with our community, and to do that, we want there to be a strong reflection of the community seeing our show and those participating.
StoryBook has chosen not to list the specific genders or ages of the characters we are looking to cast in our shows. We will consider anyone that wants to be considered for any part regardless of any preconceived ideas of the characters. We encourage everyone to audition for the shows and parts they see themselves most successfully suited toward.
Diversity at StoryBook
While age is one component of casting, diversity and a range of people who represent the community we work is is also important. Age is the only pre-conceived idea associated with the casting of our shows. We strongly encourage everyone and anyone, regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, and ethnicity to audition for our season. In fact, we have a strict 35% representation rule when casting all our shows in order to support the need to see stronger representation on and off our stage.
Please review our PAST SEASON STATISTICS and see how we are consciously making efforts to increase representation on the stage here are StoryBook Theatre.
Here are some helpful videos on how best to make your self-tape.
Tips from the StoryBook Theatre team:
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Take the time to set up your space! Make sure your video is well lit, and that you are auditioning against a simple, non-distracting background. When framing your video, face the camera and allow yourself enough room to move and perform.
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Optimize your audio. Ensure that we can hear your voice clearly and without distraction. Avoid performing in an echoey space. Please have accompanying music play from a separate device, ideally from somewhere behind you so that your voice can stand out.
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Check your audition video before submitting. Do a final review to ensure that the video and audio in your submission has captured your audition successfully.
WHY NOT PAY THE ACTORS?
We are committed to our emerging artists and giving them a platform to learn and grow.
Paid contracts ARE NOT offered to our performers in our shows.
We encourage all our artists looking to take that next step to paid theatre contracts to do so with the many professional theatres in and around Alberta and beyond. We wish them all the best in their pursuit. We also welcome them to take part in our season, to continue to learn and grow until the time comes that they can pursue this craft full-time.
We feel our actors are being given an opportunity to network and elevate themselves to their next level of success. Our mandate is to offer a quality production experience by engaging working theatre professionals off stage to provide "on-the-job training," thus bridging the gap between the emerging and professional communities. We have seen the benefits of this setup and watched many of our actors move on to professional careers in theatre and film.
StoryBook should be considered an opportunity to learn and grow. Therefore, we put focus on our ability to provide an opportunity to our artists in a variety of ways, such as:
Free Professional Workshops
Opportunities for growth and learning beyond production are few and far between. Therefore, anyone cast in an SBT production will be invited to take part in what could be weekly FREE professional development workshops, like "accounting for artists", "improv", "how to ace a dance call", and "audition workshops", to name a few.
Matinee Bursary
Once cast in a show, a drawback may be your need to take time off from your regular job to do our shows. Each production will be limited to a select number of matinee bursaries, and submission for this bursary should not be contingent on your participation in a show.
We focus on supporting the emerging in their artistic growth and learning and ensuring that StoryBook is a stepping stone in their theatre development and not simply a landing place.
Ultimately if you are auditioning with an idea or expectation of compensation beyond your personal growth, this may not be the organization to work with. Please understand that SBT is a learning environment. We want to set up ALL our artists with the skills to see them succeed - whether that's for recreational development in your passion for performing or working towards a goal of performing in paid professional shows. For emerging artists exploring a career on the stage, we hope your experience with us puts you that much closer to gaining regularly paid contracts.
COMMITMENT
It is expected that should you be cast in the production, you will be available for 80% of all rehearsals and 100% of all tech* rehearsals and performance dates. We ask that you please review the commitment for each production.
If you cannot attend all performance dates due to regular employment, we encourage you to continue to audition, as alternative arrangements may be available to support your inclusion. This is not a guarantee but should not stop you from participating in the audition process.
*Tech is the time when all show elements come together, lighting, costumes, set, props, sound and more. Having all actors present for this part of the process is key to the show's success.
IS THIS ALL VOLUNTEER?
The short answer is yes.
For the last 45 years has dedicated itself to providing Calgary with quality family programming. During that time, it has undergone several variations on who and what it is, but at its core; volunteers have always been integral to our success. We provide those artists willing to volunteer their time and artistry with us an opportunity to grow their craft and finish the season as better artists and community builders.
Click on each show to learn more about the schedule and the roles available.