Auditions for Papermill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory

Papermill Playhouse will be holding open auditons for their Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory.

Auditions are by appointment only and will take place on Jan. 24 and 31 at the Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts, located on 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway.

The youngest class is the junior company, for ages 10-12, which will meet Monday through Friday from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. Tuition is $2000. There is also the junior plus company, for ages 12 to 14, which will meet Monday through Friday from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm at the Union County Performing Arts Center's Hamilton Stage. Tuition is $2300. There is also the senior company, for ages 15 to 18, which will meet Monday through Friday from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm at the Union County Performing Arts Center's Hamilton Stage. Tuition is $2500. Limited tuition assistance may be requested by eligible students proving need.

Prospective students should select a portion of a song from a musical that best demonstrates their vocal range, musicality, interpretive skills, and acting ability. Please bring sheet music in a binder or single sheets taped together that contain full piano accompaniment, not just chord symbols. An accompanist will be provided. Students may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. Everyone will be asked to dance. Students will be taught a dance combination which will then be performed in small groups. Evaluation will be based on skill, potential, and the ability to learn the routine. Preferably jazz shoes, character shoes or low-soled sneakers should be worn. This audition is your only chance to impress our faculty. Make sure you are well-rehearsed and prepared. Students who are not prepared or who arrive without sheet music may not be allowed to audition.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to allow for paperwork and photography. Auditionees will be asked to prove their age at their audition and must bring one copy of a document that shows their birth date. Parents will not be permitted into the audition room.

Digitally recorded auditions are accepted only for prospective students who live out of state. Submissions must contain a singing performance of a Broadway song with accompaniment and a dance combination (ballet, jazz, or tap) performed to music. Video submissions are due by Feb. 7. 

To make an appointment, please email summer@papermill.org. In the email, please include the auditionee's full name, age as of June 29, 2015, email, phone number, and prefered audition date. You will receive a confirmation of your appointment time.

Those accepted will begin a rigorous five-week program designed to enhance performance skills, while instilling the technique, discipline and professionalism needed to excel in the performing arts. The end of the month is devoted to rehearsals for the New Voices concert, performed annually on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage. Based on skill, experience and the quality of their audition, Conservatory students are grouped into three companies, allowing them to develop at their own pace, while working on age and skill-appropriate material. Accepted students will be placed into a Conservatory Company at the discretion of the Paper Mill Playhouse faculty and staff based on their audition performance skill level and approximate age. Placement determinations are not negotiable. 

For additional information, view the Paper Mill Playhouse website, or email summer@papermill.org.