Theatre Auditions in Los Angeles: How to Find and Prepare
Finding a stage audition in Los Angeles is mostly a matter of knowing where calls are posted and what each type of call asks of you. This guide covers open calls, appointments, material, union rules and what happens next.
Types of theatre auditions
A theatre audition is a short, structured meeting in which you perform for the people casting a production. In Los Angeles small theatres, three formats are common, and the casting notice should say which one applies.
Open call
An open call is an audition without an appointment. You arrive during a stated window, sign in and wait to be seen. Open calls suit small theatres and community groups that want to meet many people. They can be long, so bring water and something to read, and expect to be seen in the order you sign in unless the notice says otherwise.
By appointment
For an appointment audition you reserve a time slot by email or an online form. This is the usual format for professional and Equity-connected productions, and it gives you a firm time. Book early, since slots in small theatres fill quickly, and confirm what you need to bring.
Callbacks and online auditions
A callback is a second audition for people the creative team wants to see again, often reading scenes opposite other actors. An online audition, often called a self-tape, is a video you record and submit. For a self-tape, use a plain background, steady framing, clear sound and a good light, and follow the file name, format and slate instructions in the notice exactly.
Where to find listings
Calls are scattered, so expect to check several sources.
- Theatre websites and social media. Small theatres and companies usually post their own casting notices, often a few weeks before rehearsals start.
- Trade and listing sites. Services such as Backstage list casting calls, which you can search by location.
- Equity. Members should check the union's own notices for Equity-governed productions. Check Equity's LA 99-Seat Theatre page for how the agreement works.
- Schools, workshops and local groups. Acting classes and community groups often hear about calls first.
- Word of mouth. In a city of many small stages, one cast member often points you to the next audition.
Community theatre
If you are new, community theatre is the easiest place to start, and its calls are usually open to anyone. See the guide to getting started in community theatre for how that path works.
How to get a Hollywood audition
This site is about stage work, so a short answer only: auditions for film and television usually come through casting notices, talent representation and the relationships you build. Stage work can help by giving you credits, practice and contacts, but no theatre role guarantees a screen audition. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for a promised audition.
What to prepare
Read the casting notice twice. It lists what to bring and what the team wants to see, and following it is the simplest way to stand out.
Monologue
A monologue is a short speech from a play, chosen to show your range. Many notices ask for one or two pieces with a time limit, often one to two minutes each. Choose material that suits you and the genre of the production, avoid the pieces everyone brings, and know it well enough to adjust if the director gives a note.
Sides
Sides are pages from the script of the production itself, given to you before or at the audition to read. Read them several times, think about what each character wants, and bring the energy of a person who has already met the scene.
Songs for musical theatre
Musical theatre auditions usually ask for a prepared song, often a cut of a verse and chorus. Bring clean sheet music marked with where to start and stop, and check whether an accompanist is provided. Choose a song that fits the style of the show, not the biggest song you know.
What else to bring
- A headshot and a one-page résumé, if the notice asks for them. Community calls may only need a form filled in on the day.
- Your availability, including conflicts for the rehearsal and performance dates.
- Comfortable clothes that let you move, and shoes you can walk in.
Equity vs non-Equity calls
Equity members and non-members often audition at different times or in different ways. Equity's own audition protocols describe an Equity Principal Audition, a call held under union rules. Under those protocols, Equity members are given appointments, and employers keep a waiting list for non-Equity actors, who may be seen only if time allows and no Equity members are waiting.
That rule applies to calls governed by an Equity agreement. Many small Los Angeles productions are held under looser arrangements and open to everyone, so read the notice rather than assuming. The page on the 99-seat theatre and Equity waiver explains how the structure works, and the section on joining the union covers Equity's 2023 open access policy.
Non-equity theatre auditions in Los Angeles
Non-union calls are common in Los Angeles. They tend to be open, run by independent companies, and may offer a stipend, a split of the box office or no pay. Ask about compensation, rehearsal schedule and performance dates before you accept a role.
Community theater auditions
Community theatres usually hold open calls and cast based on fit, willingness to commit to the schedule and attitude in the room, as much as on experience. It is a good place to practise the format.
After the audition
When you finish, thank the people in the room and leave. The decision is rarely made on the spot.
- Callbacks. If you are asked back, you will usually be told by email or phone within a few days to a couple of weeks. The notice often states when to expect news.
- Offers. A role offer should include dates, any pay or stipend and what is expected of you. Reply promptly.
- No answer. Silence usually means you were not cast, and small theatres rarely have time to reply individually. Do not chase repeatedly, but one polite follow-up after the stated date is reasonable.
- Learn from it. Write down what you did and how it felt while you remember, and use it to prepare for the next one.
Nerves are normal and fixable. Practical advice on handling them, choosing material and avoiding common mistakes is in the guide to theatre audition tips.
Is 25 too old to start acting?
No. Adults start acting at every age, and community and independent stages cast people of all ages and backgrounds, in part because plays need characters of many ages. Starting later means starting with life experience and, often, a clearer idea of why you want to do it.