League of Washington Theatres

Annual Areawide Auditions

Casting Contacts: LOWT Members Non-members

The League of Washington Theatres will not hold its annual auditions in this year.  League President David Snider sent out the following memo to the LOWT Membership explaining the decision and outlining the next steps in revamping the auditions.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the League at info@lowt.org.

As you know the League of Washington Theatres is going through a year-long strategic planning process in order to reinvigorate the League’s service to the field.  As part of this process, a number of long-term League projects are being examined to be sure that they meet the needs of our constituency. 

In order to assess how well the auditions currently serve the community, Danisha Crosby, head of the auditions committee, has been talking to reps from various theatres, as well as holding an open discussion about the League auditions.  The feedback we have received from the community and membership has led us to believe that in order to improve the usefulness of the League auditions, several changes should be further examined and implemented before moving forward with the next auditions cycle. The Executive Committee therefore voted at its December meeting to postpone the annual auditions until February or March of 2009.   We believe this timeline will allow us to more thoroughly consider significant changes and prepare for their implementation, while having the time necessary to better inform our community about how the auditions are changing.

The action plan for the upcoming months includes meeting with representatives from the AEA Liaison Committee and Actor’s Center to discuss how these organizations can partner with the League on auditions to better serve the theatre and acting community.  Once changes are finalized, the League will be working to educate our community on the changes, and on the goals of the League auditions. 

The most significant changes that are being discussed include:

• Moving the audition dates;
• Changing from 5 straight days to split days (MT, MTW, or WThF, ThF);
• Requiring actors to be 18yrs of age;
• Providing an accompanist, at least during some sessions;
• Dividing AEA and non-AEA actors into separate sessions/day;
• Accepting technician resumes at Leagues/distributing to participating theatres;
• Partnering with the AEA membership and Actors Center;
• Require actors to qualify for league auditions – through academic training, theatrical credits, or recommendation.

Anyone with input on proposed changes can contact Danisha Crosby at dcrosby@roundhousetheatre.org.

We thank you for your patience and your consideration as we work together to build a better League.