Welcome to the first installment of The Stage Oconee’s “Backstage Pass” blog series! This behind-the-scenes look at theatre life will explore everything from performance terminology to the anatomy of a stage, production timelines, and more—all from the heart of Watkinsville, Georgia!

In today’s post, we’re diving into something every performer faces: auditions. Whether you’re brand new to theatre or a seasoned pro in the Oconee County or Athens GA area, auditions can feel intimidating—but don’t worry! We’re breaking it down to make the process at The Stage Oconee feel more approachable.

📝 Note: This post outlines a typical audition process at The Stage Oconee. Other theatre companies in the Athens or Oconee County area may operate differently, and even individual shows at The Stage may vary slightly—so always double-check for specifics!

🗓️ When Do Auditions Happen?

Auditions at The Stage Oconee usually open 2-3 months before performance dates. You can find all the audition details by visiting our website and clicking on the “Season Info” tab.

We use Google Forms for signups. The audition form includes:

Basic demographic info
Preferred audition time slot
Role preferences (specific or open to any role)
The production’s Info Sheet, which contains:
- Studio rules
- Rehearsal schedules
- Performance dates
- Participation expectations

🎶 What Happens at Auditions?

When you arrive, you’ll check in at the front desk. Audition time slots overlap, so you’ll either:

Read/Dance first, or
Sing your solo piece first

What to wear: Comfortable clothes and dance-friendly shoes
Bonus tip: If the show includes specialized dance (like ballet), there may be a separate time for that section.

🎭 The Reading

You’ll be paired with different performers and read different “sides”—that’s theatre lingo for script excerpts.

🎤 The Singing

You’ll head to the stage and perform your prepared song. A track is preferred, and a creative team member will connect your device to the sound system.

If needed, the music director may ask you to sing scales to determine your vocal range and best role fit.

🔁 What About Callbacks?

If callbacks are needed (especially for lead or featured roles), they usually take place within a day or two of auditions.

You’ll be sent:

Specific sides to read
A portion of a song to prepare (if the character sings)

Callbacks help our creative team finalize casting for larger roles or high-volume auditions.

📋 When Will I Know If I Got a Role?

You might receive a confidential offer email if you’re being considered for a lead role. Please don’t share this with others—finalized cast lists are made public once everything is confirmed!

After casting, you’ll attend your first cast meeting and rehearsals—but more on that in Part Two of our audition series coming soon, complete with a real-time video experience!

🎬 Stay Tuned, Watkinsville!

We’re excited to bring you more insights into the production process right here in Watkinsville, GA, at The Stage Oconee. Whether you're in Athens, Oconee County, or just love the arts, this series is for you!

👉 Join us later this month on the blog for more behind-the-scenes stories and updates from the stage.

Backstage Pass: The Audition Process at The Stage Oconee (Part 1)