Denton Community Theatre :: Get Involved!

How to Get Involved!

DCT has many ways in which you can be part of the DCTheatre family.
You can volunteer by ushering, set building and designing, costumes,
make-up, lighting, stage properties, acting and directing. Just call 940-382-7014 and speak to one of DCT’s helpful staff members.

Volunteer Opportunities

Directing – Directing a performance requires previous experience and a willingness to invest a large amount of time and energy.
Costuming – Aspects of costuming include the creation of costumes, making use of existing costumes, and fitting costumes to each performer. People are also needed to assist performers with costume changes.
Lights – Aspects include lighting design and running lighting equipment.
Sound – Aspects include sound design and running sound equipment.
Make-Up – Aspects include make-up design, running make-up workshops, and assisting performers with make-up application.
Set Design – Aspects include the design and architecture of sets.
Set Construction – Aspects include building sets and assisting with building.
Props – Aspects include making and acquiring props for a performance.
Back Stage Help – Aspects include serving as Stage Manager, opening and closing the curtain, assisting with set and costume changes, and any additional help needed back stage.
Ushers – Ushering involves the collection of tickets as well as directing and assisting patrons to their seats. Ushers may have the opportunity to view the performance if space allows.
Graphic Designer – Aspects include designing program and advertisement art.
Auditioning – Performers work on a volunteer basis. Auditions are open to the general public.

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How to Audition!

Tips to Successfully Present Yourself, and Land the Role!

Arrive at the audition 10 - 15 minutes early. Act like the professional you are right from the time of arrival. (The audition begins when you open the door to the building)

Be sure to introduce yourself and sign in immediately. Usually there is an audition form to fill out. Make sure you bring a pen. List all personal information accurately. Be sure to include all your conflicts. (Being accessible can be as important as being talented.)

You may bring a current headshot and resume. DCT will take your picture and staple it to the audition form if you do not have one!

While waiting, familiarize yourself with your surroundings and the script or music (if available). Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the part. For plays, wear clothing that is business in appearance. For musicals, wear clothing you can dance or move in comfortably. You might want to bring your dance clothes and shoes and change into your dance clothing when necessary.

Keep conversation in the waiting area to a minimum. Remain focused on your upcoming audition and be respectful of others waiting to audition.

Be aware of who is scheduled ahead of you. Be "ON DECK" as they finish their audition. (your time saving efforts show casting directors your professional competence.)

As soon as you enter the audition room or stage, introduce yourself and present your headshot and resume if not already picked up by the stage manager. (being friendly and relaxed assures everyone that you are easy to work with, even if you’re nervous, ACT like you’re not). For musical, give your sheet music to the pianist. Please advise the accompanist what you are going to sing.

While the Director fills out the slate, take the mark and begin rehearsing the script. Hold the script chest high and deliver the words or information straight to the audience.

Be yourself, have fun and SMILE.

When the Director says "BEGIN!", deliver the COPY to the best of your ability. If you blow a line, keep going. (Do not ask for do-overs. Do not SWEAR after a mistake. These are dead giveaways of inexperience.)

Be flexible enough in your interpretation to deliver a second time in a different style. Hold your expression and position when you are finished until you hear the Director say "CUT or THANK YOU!" (Be sure to listen carefully if the Director makes suggestions during your audition and follow the directions exactly.)

Politely thank the Director and exit quickly. Never attempt to stay and chit chat. Remember that the audition is on a schedule. (Asking "How did I do?" betrays lack of confidence. And wasting the casting agents or clients time trying to make yourself remembered will probably make them remember you in an unfavorable light.)

Check the bulletin board or stage manager for any pertinent notices, sign out and quietly leave. (On your way home from the audition, analyze your audition while its fresh in your mind. Make mental notes of areas that need improvement so you can work on them before your next audition.)

Expect to hear within a few days if you’ve been cast or called back. Due to time constraints, actors are not called if they did not get the leading part. If you don’t hear anything, chalk it up to experience and focus on the next one coming up. Try never call the theatre to inquire about the audition results. Results are often printed and hung on the door on Cedar street and placed on the web-site. (The fact that you weren’t cast doesn’t necessarily mean that you did not give a good audition. You also have to be what that particular director is looking for that particular show.)

From the time you arrive, until the time you are in your car at the first stoplight, WATCH YOUR MOUTH!!! Watch what you say, and who you say it about, it could get back to somebody!

Break-a-leg!

OTHER TIPS:
A director has usually made his or her decision within the first ten seconds of the audition. Here are some tips to make them sit up and take notice of you!

BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLAY. Make the effort and know the play. You are about to spend the next six to eight weeks focused on every nook and cranny of this play. Spend a couple of hours knowing what you are committing to before you arrive. Don't memorize the script. Only familiarize yourself with the copy. The key is to understand what is going on in the scene.

USE STRONG TECHNICAL SKILLS. Directors must be able to hear and understand you. Your voice is your instrument play it well. It must be strong and your enunciation and diction must be clear. If you choose to use an accent, be sure it sounds effortless. A poor accent detracts from your audition. Do not simply read the words from the page, rather, say them like you are speaking to someone; like you are a living person bringing these words to life. When reading from prepared sides, keep your head out of the script. Play the fourth wall or the other actors. Make sure the director can always see your face. Do not stand and read. Do not simply pace back and forth, but use your body to help communicate and underline your feelings. The actors who are animated, without overdoing it, are the most interesting to watch.

BE WILLING TO RISK. Take risks and make choices in your audition. If you are unsure of a detail, ask. The choices you make do not have to be the choices you would use in a production of the play, but if you give nothing emotionally, how is the director supposed to know that you can? Take the risk and develop your character.

BE FLEXIBLE. If you have read the script thoroughly and have made your emotional choices for the scene, but cannot make adjustments when requested by the director, you are basically undirectable. An undirectable actor is not castable. So do your homework, make your choices, and then open up. Listen carefully to the director. Keep your mind and your imagination active. And continue to take risks.

DON’T BE A THEATRE STRANGER. If you want to act, then act. Go anywhere and everywhere to audition. Take classes. Attend performances. Read scripts. Improve yourself constantly. Accept any role you are offered. A small role in a good play can teach you much about your craft. And come to every audition. It will deepen your understanding of what a good audition is, and open your spirit to possibilities for yourself. The art of performance is like any other art form, it is only achieved through doing it. Practice your craft in your high school, your church, your college, other theatres, anywhere and everywhere.

AFTER THE AUDITION. Thank the director (and the accompanist if a musical) on the way out. When the cast is announced, don't be depressed if you weren't cast. It's hard to be rejected, but you have to remember that being cast is only partly about how good you are -- it's also about whether or not you are appropriate for the roles they need to fill. You might be the best actor and/or singer they've seen, but if you're totally inappropriate for the characters they need, they can't cast you. Respect the director's decision! Occasionally, actors who don't get the part they want, think they can get the director to change his mind by pleading, complaining or threatening. This behavior will only hurt your chances now, and also far into the future.

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