Auditions for both Theater Ink’s productions of Heathers: Teen Edition the Musical and The Crucible, took place from Sept. 9 -11, officially opening Theater Ink’s 2024-2025 season.
Auditions for The Crucible and Heathers were joint, allowing students to be considered for both productions. Auditions consisted of 30-minute slots. Five people participated per slot, minimizing each audition to five minutes. Students did a group warmup prior to their audition, slated themselves, and then performed a monologue, a song, or both.
According to senior Nell Ranalli, a director of Heathers “We’re looking for those fundamentals, being loud, projection, diction. The main thing we just look for is potential.”
After their initial performance, auditioners were allowed to take a note from their director in the form of a new direction to take to their performance before presenting for a second time.
According to English teacher Valerie Young, the director of The Crucible, taking a note is important to show confidence and expertise.
“It’s really important that performers can take their notes and make a significant change,” said Ranalli.
Young described the process of casting as piecing together a puzzle in order to put everyone where they are needed. “I don’t necessarily know what I’m looking for, and I’m hoping they’re going to show me something.”
According to senior Nate Burres, before launching back into a monologue or song for a second time, finding the motivation of the character is important when taking a note.
Music and dance workshops were also offered to prepare for Heathers’ auditions. Burres added that it is important to attend as many workshops as possible prior to an audition and prepare with other people.
Heathers also held auditions solely for dance conducted by senior Nehir Topaloglu, the choreographer of Heathers.
During the dance auditions performers presented the dance twice in small groups, and then switched lines, allowing those who were in the back line to switch to the front.
“Dancing in lines is good because if you’re less confident you can switch to the back,” said Burres.
