Responses to Wycoff and Auditioning

Dear Performink,

This letter is in response to Joe Wycoff’s article, Advice From the Other Side of the Audition. While I agree with most of what the article had to say, I was a bit annoyed with the reference to scheduling. I pride myself on running a tightly scheduled audition, but this is nearly impossible due to the fact that in the past, I have had a large percentage of actors cancel an audition or not show up at all. Because it is impossible to predict and the attrition rate is so high, I either have huge gaps of time where I am just sitting around waiting or I attempt some creative scheduling which could lead to delays. As you can image this is a logistical nightmare. Obviously, things come up, people get cast in other show, etc. but until the actors coming to my auditions become more predictable, the perfect schedule will remain elusive and everyone will just have to deal.

Cordially,
Jaclyn Biskup, The Mill

Dear PerformInk,

I read Joe Wycoff’s article, Advice From the Other Side of the Audition in the last edition of PeformInk, and thought that it was right on target. I have been working in Chicago theatre for over 12 years, and there are several theatre companies I will no longer audition for. In particular, there is a certain theatre/performing arts center in the NW suburbs that calls me in for “callbacks” every season—and instead of the 1 hour time slot—they keep their actors there for over three hours, even when they have no intention of casting you in the play for which they are auditioning.

Helpful advice to share with younger actors newer to Chicago theatre: you are also auditioning the theatre companies and directors you audition for—it’s OK to be selective!

Thank Joe Wycoff for sharing his sadly all too common experience and wise guidance so well.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Golemo