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JCompany FAQs
How do I sign up for an audition? Do I have to be Jewish to audition? Do I have to be a JCC member to audition?
Firstly, you do not have to be Jewish or a JCC member to audition! JCompany casts young artists regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or community center participation! All we ask is that you be within the stated age range for any given class or production.
In order to sign up for an audition, please visit the JCompany audition page at jco_auditions.aspx. Under the section for the show you are interested in, you will see three buttons: "Sign Up For an Audition Appointment," "Online Registration" and "Audition Forms" (once available). Select Sign Up For an Audition Appointment to schedule the time for your audition. Select Online Registration to sign up for your required class and register for your audition.
Once you have signed up and registered for an audition, you can download and print the audition packet, to get a head-start on the paperwork you will need to fill out at your audition. If you do not have a printer, there will be packets available in advance to pick up in the JCompany hallway of the LFJCC, or you can fill one out when you arrive on the day of your audition.
Who will be in my audition with me?
All JCompany auditions are group auditions - you will be in your audition for the entirety of the half-hour slot. In the room, you will have the show director, the music director for the show, the choreographer, an accompanist, and 10-15 other young artists.
What do I need to bring to my audition?
Please bring yourself and a song! We ask that you prepare a one-minute selection (about 16-32 bars) of a musical theatre song of your choice. You can sing whatever song you feel best shows off your voice! For our youngest artists and new singers, any song you know and like to sing is fine.
You will need the sheet music for that song, as well. If you don't have a voice instructor or access to sheet music, we recommend you download music from www.musicnotes.com - they have a huge library of music. Please either print the sheet music double-sided, hole punch it, and put it in a binder, or print it single-sided and tape it accordion-style. This is to make reading your sheet music easier for the accompanist!
If you have a headshot and resume, please bring that with you. If not, any snapshot of yourself, we have a camera e can take your picture with at auditions. If you do not have a resume, there is a place in the audition packet to list your experience (if any).
Lastly, please bring your credit card or checkbook, your audition packet, and a list of your conflicts for the entire rehearsal and production period, if any.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept video submissions. Also, guest accompanists are not allowed.
What happens on the day of the audition?
All auditions take place on-site at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. On the day of your audition, please arrive at the JCC 15-20 minutes before your scheduled audition slot, to allow time for JCompany staff and volunteers to check you in.
When you first arrive at the JCC, make your way to the audition waiting room. You will see several tables set up in stations. As you make a circuit around the tables, you will turn in your paperwork, confirm your class, and learn about your parent volunteering paperwork. Once you have finished the check-in process at the last station, you are welcome to have a seat at any available location in the room.
When the time arrives for your young artist's audition slot, or when the previous group finishes their auditions and returns to the room, all young artists registered for the upcoming slot will have their names called in order of arrival. All auditionees who have their names called will proceed into the audition room, where our director will welcome them and give them a small orientation speech. They will then take turns auditioning for the creative team, so please make sure you bring your sheet music into the room with you.
Parents, we know you'd like to be in the room with your young artists, but we ask that you remain in the waiting area - no parents will be allowed into the auditions.
After everyone is finished, unless there is a miscellaneous task (like having your measurements taken by our costume designer), everyone will return to the waiting area, and you are free to go home. Overall, the process usually takes between 35-50 minutes; larger groups will take longer.
How much is a JCC membership?
The price of a JCC membership varies depending on your family and your needs. If you are interested in membership at the JCC, please contact Mary Cotner, at (858) 362-1178 or maryc@lfjcc.org.
Do you have financial aid/assistance available?
The JCC has a small scholarship fund available, through which we offer need-based scholarships that can cover up to 50-75% of a young artist's production or class fees. Students may only receive one scholarship per year. All applications are reviewed by the JCC Controller and are awarded on a first-come first-served basis per show.
All scholarship applications are due at least three weeks prior to the young artist's audition date. We recommend turning your application in at least four weeks prior, in case there are any questions regarding your application materials. You will be notified if you are offered a scholarship before your audition date - if you have not heard back from us within one week of your upcoming audition, please contact the JCompany Program Assistant at 858-362-1155.
If you are offered a scholarship and are cast in the show, your production fee will be reduced. If you are offered a scholarship but not cast in the show, your class registration fee will be reduced. If you are offered a scholarship, no payment will be required at your audition.
Regardless of whether or not you are offered a scholarship, in qualifying circumstances a payment plan can be arranged for all JCompany fees. We will always do our best to work with you!
If you would like to apply for financial assistance, please reach out to the JCompany Program Assistant at 858-362-1155, or jcompany@lfjcc.org. Thank you!
What is the rehearsal schedule for my show/the show I'm auditioning for?
In general, JCompany schedules rehearsals Monday-Thursday 4:00-7:00 PM, and Sundays 1:00-5:00 PM. Tech week rehearsals are 4:00-8:00 PM on weekdays. As such, we ask that you be available during those blocks of time if you are auditioning for a show. We do not schedule rehearsals on Fridays or Saturdays. If you are cast in a show, you will not be called to every rehearsal - it will vary depending on the individual show and your role within it.
The rehearsal schedule for each individual show is customized for each cast, and so cannot be released until after the cast list has been posted. It is very important that you write down any conflicts you may have on the last page of your audition packet, because these are taken into account when we create the schedule!
This is my first time doing theatre/acting/singing/dancing - how do you recommend I get started?
JCompany offers four class sessions a year, as well as countless master classes. These are an excellent way to be introduced and be confident in singing, dancing, and acting! In addition, if you would like to work on your skills in greater depth, we have several incredible instructors on staff who offer year-round private lessons in voice, dance, and acting.