Auditions

Auditions for film and theatre productions are held at the beginning of each semester and are open to all SJSU students, regardless of major.

Students cast in productions held in the Hal Todd Studio Theatre or the Hammer Theatre Center must enroll in TA 117 - Practice in Acting or Directing to participate.

Theatre productions also provide opportunities for students to work as crew members (e.g., lighting, sound, wardrobe, make-up, etc.) to earn required/elective units for TA 191 - Activity Projects in Theatre Production.

Read the Audition Announcement

The Hunchback of Seville

     Written by Charise Castro Smith
     Directed by Kinan Valdez

About the Production

At the turn of the 16th century, Christopher Columbus has just returned from the New World with gold in his pockets and blood on his hands. Maxima Terriblé Segunda, the brilliant adopted sister of dying Her Royal Highness Queen Isabella, is living out her life locked away in a tower…until it is decided
that the future of the country is in her nerdy, reclusive hands. In a bitingly funny and madcap take on Spanish history and colonialism, Maxima weaves her way through mountains of prejudice, politics, religion, and the horrors of history.

The Hunchback of Seville is like 16th-century Spanish history as written by Quentin Tarantino…big, careening fun…”
          —The Stranger (Seattle).

“…an incredibly clever look at colonialism and religion…a bawdy funfest…a fun, frothy romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and isn’t afraid of blue language and skewering history with some modern twists”
          —BroadwayWorld.com.

Stupid F***ing Bird

     Written by Aaron Posner
     Directed by Kathleen Normington

Participating students must enroll in TA 117 - Sec 02. This production will be performed LIVE in the Hal Todd Theatre (with an audience) from 3/23–3/25, 2023.

About the Production

An aspiring young director rampages against the art created by his mother’s generation. A nubile young actress wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be. In this irreverent, contemporary, and very funny remix of Chekhov’s The Seagull, Aaron Posner stages a timeless battle between young and old, past and present, in search of the true meaning of it all. Stupid F***ing Bird will tickle, tantalize, and incite you to consider how art, love, and revolution fuel your own pursuit of happiness.

“Like the play that inspired it, this adaptation offers a unique glimpse at the state of the theatrical art form and more broadly, the difficult pursuit of art and creativity. Angsty, raw, and real, this play does not shy away from the hard, but well-discussed philosophical questions about art, reality, love and life and what it all means. Yet, it does so in a way that’s likely to engage contemporary theatrically savvy audiences.”
          —BroadwayWorld.com.

• Auditions will be held in person in the University Theatre (HGH 137). 
• You must download and send your completed Audition Form with (optional) headshot and resume to: stage-manager-hammer-show@sjsu.edu
• You MUST sign up for an audition slot (link below).

Sign-up for an audition time slot

• Contemporary or classical monologue of no more than two (2) minutes or two contrasting monologues of no more than one (1) minute each.
• If you have a special talent to showcase or sing a short song, you may do that as well. There are roles in Stupid F***ing Bird that require singing and playing the ukulele.
• Your total audition should be no longer than three (3) minutes.

Please download and send your completed Audition Form with (optional) headshot and resume to: stage-manager-hammer-show@sjsu.edu

Complete your Audition Form

All levels of experience are welcome! If this is your first semester or your first time auditioning at SJSU, we encourage you to come!

Faculty members Johnny Moreno and Kirsten Brandt will be hosting an Audition Workshop on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in the University Theatre from 6:00–8:00 pm.

In this workshop we will cover how to:
• Prepare an audition
• Select appropriate monologues
• Format your resume
• Rehearse your piece (not mandatory – we’ll take volunteers)

Auditioning is a craft. Let us help you gain confidence in your audition. If possible, we ask that you come prepared with a monologue you already know or one you are working on for the Spring General Auditions.

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Professor Kirsten Brandt at kirsten.brandt@sjsu.edu.

Audition Form
Audition Sign-ups
Audition Announcement
Audition Flyer
Audition Workshop Flyer