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Mega Auditions

Welcome to the Department of Drama’s Open Call Website!

New Students: Auditions for the academic year’s entire Drama Season (six shows) take place in fall Week 0 during our Mega Auditions (“Megas”), where you’ll have the chance to audition for all the Main Stage directors at one time.

We encourage everyone to audition, even if you’re unsure of your chances, because:

You’ll be seen by several directors who may cast future roles.
It’s a great way to demonstrate your unique skills.
Auditioning is a vital skill to practice.

Megas are often your first introduction to faculty and other department members, which can positively impact your opportunities throughout the year.

Below, you’ll find details about our season and how to sign up for an audition time.

To be considered for any roles in this year’s Drama Season, you must attend the Mega Auditions.

UCI DRAMA CASTING POLICY: The Drama Department is committed to inclusive and conscientious casting, celebrating diversity by considering race, ethnicity, and identity in our storytelling. We strive to provide equitable opportunities for everyone across the spectrum of human experience.

NOTICE OF AUDITION RECORDING: Mega Auditions and designated Callbacks may be recorded and/or observed remotely for casting purposes. Recordings will be used only by the casting team and permanently deleted by midnight on Monday, September 28. If you do not consent to remote observation or recording, please notify the Mega Auditions stage management team before your audition.

DOCUMENTATION AND ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS: All Drama productions are documented through photography and archival video in accordance with University policy and applicable law. This documentation is a standard requirement for Drama productions and will be accessed, used, and shared only as permitted by University policy and applicable law.

Production schedules can be found on the UCI Drama Digital Callboard.

Mega Auditions Schedule (Fall 2026, Week 0)

MFA Graduate Mega Auditions:
- Sat, Sept 19 @ 12:00 - 1:00 pm (Check in starts at 11:30 am)
Undergraduate Mega Auditions:
- Tues, Sept 22 @ 5:00-10:00 pm (Check in starts at 4:30)
- Weds, Sept 23 @ 5:00-10:00 pm (Check in starts at 4:30)
The Callbacks Schedule is listed at the bottom of the page.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

MFA and Undergraduates: Please arrive 30 minutes before your audition for check-in and briefing.
MFA Graduate Actors will audition one at a time.
Undergraduate Actors will audition in groups of 5 at a time.
Check in at the Dance Loft, next to Studio 4, Rm. 209, closer to the Bren Events Center.
In Case of Emergencies: If you are late or need to reschedule/cancel, contact Sammie Moore, Audition Coordinator, at mooresd@uci.edu. Please include your full name, date, and original audition time to aid in the process.

CALLBACKS:

Those invited to callbacks will be emailed.
Callbacks will be posted on the Drama Callboard by Thurs, Sept 24.

Callbacks Schedule (Subject to Change):

MFA Graduate Callbacks (Resistable Rise only): (STUDIO 4) Sat, Sept 19 @ 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Titanic in Concert: (STUDIO 5) Fri, Sept 25 @ 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Machines Like Me: (STUDIO 5) Sat, Sept 26 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Resistible Rise - Self Tape Lab: (STUDIO 4) Sat, Sept 26 @ 1:30 - 3:00 pm
- NOTE: Resistible Rise callbacks will be via self tape. The self tape lab is there for people who may need assistance with their tape.
Continuity - Self Tape Lab: (STUDIO 4) Sat, Sept 26 @ 3:00 - 4:30 pm
- NOTE: Continuity callbacks will be via self tape. The self tape lab is there for people who may need assistance with their tape.
Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812: (STUDIO 5) Sun, Sept 27 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
FLUX: Musicals in Motion - APOCALYPSE: (STUDIO 4) Sun, Sept 27 @ 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Back Up Callbacks for ALL SHOWS: Mon, Sept 28 @ 5:30 - 7:00 pm

CAST LISTS:

Will be emailed to those invited to join the show casts and posted on the Drama Callboard by Mon, Sept 28 @ 11:59 pm.

ROLE ACCEPTANCE:

Must be received by Weds, Sept 30 @ 5:00 pm.

All information listed is subject to change.

Direct all audition questions to Sammie Moore at mooresd@uci.edu

What to Prepare

Your audition material is the most important thing to focus on. Choose pieces you know well and can perform confidently. We also recommend dressing in professional audition attire (which means clothing that presents you in a way that you want to be best seen).

REQUIREMENTS:

Two contrasting monologues (e.g., comedic and dramatic, or classical and contemporary).
For musical auditions (singing): Prepare a song that highlights your vocal range and fits the role you’re aiming for. A verse and chorus are ideal. Please sing first, then present your monologues if possible. Bring sheet music in a 3-ring binder, clearly marked for the accompanist.
- If you would like to prioritize the musicals, then you should plan to do two contrasting songs and one monologue within the 2 minute and 30 second timeframe.
- If you would like to prioritize the straight plays, but still audition for the musicals, then plan to do two contrasting monologues, and one song in the 2 minute and 30 second timeframe.

NOTE: You may use material from the UC Irvine Drama season or other sources.

NOTE: On Sept 19, from 4:30 - 5:00 pm in Studio 5 (PSTU 1110) there will be an Audition Music Prep workshop. If you would like help getting your music ready or are new to auditioning, please attend the workshop!

TIME LIMITS:

Undergraduate Actors (not singing): 2 minutes
Undergraduate Actors (singing): 2 minutes 30 seconds
Graduate Actors (not singing): 3 minutes
Graduate Actors (singing): 3 minutes 30 seconds

NOTE: Timing starts after you slate your name, and you will be stopped (by a verbal “Thank you”) once your time is up. You will not be allowed to continue past the allotted time frame.

AUDITION PAPERWORK

Each auditioning student must:

Prepare your headshot, resume, and UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Hard Copy).
Complete a UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Digital) (You will need to upload a headshot, resume, and completed UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Hard Copy). You will also need to be signed in with your UCI email to access the submission form).
- Filling out the UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Digital) will also give you your auditioning time slot. Please ensure you write down your auditioning date and time somewhere secure.
Bring the required physical copies (5 copies) of your Headshot, Resume, and UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Hard Copy) to your audition.

You will NOT be able to audition without complete paperwork.

Please staple each hard copy of your materials together in the following order:

Your Headshot (please display your name clearly somewhere on your Headshot)
Your Resume (facing the opposite direction outward, so the blank side is back to back with the blank side of your Headshot)
Your completed UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Hard Copy) (on top of your Resume, also back to back with your Headshot)

It is imperative that you prepare and label your audition paperwork clearly and professionally (as detailed above).

Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to your scheduled audition time to check your paperwork with a stage manager.

Please note, your uploaded digital headshot may be used for marketing or identification throughout the year.

CASTING: Show Information & Audition Requirements

Click the Show Title to view Casting Information.
Please also complete the Staged Intimacy and Simulated Violence Informed Consent Form on the UCI Mega Audition Form 2026-2027 (Hard Copy). Scripts will be available to be checked out for a limited time from the Drama Office starting in Welcome Week.

NOTE: All casting details are subject to change.

Continuity

Audition Info:
- We are looking for connected actors who work well in an ensemble and believe in the play and mission of the production.
About the Show:
- This show is about climate change and, in that spirit, all lights and sound will be powered by solar and bicycle power. Some sound will be live foley. Costumes will not be new and will be recycled (either pulled from stock or bought 2nd hand). Scenery has been created from found and/or reused objects. Our goal is a zero-carbon-footprint production. We will be documenting our successes and challenges during the process. Come and join us!

Titanic the Musical

Audition Requirements:
- A classic Broadway/legit music theatre song in the style of Titanic.
- A monologue or a contrasting song showing your range as a performer (strong characterization), preferably from a musical (stage or film).
Callback Info:
- Participants called back for the dance duo, Mr. and Mrs. DaMico, might be asked to create a short dance combination to present at callbacks for the musical number "Doing the Latest Rag."
Unique Show Info:
- Cast will need to dress in various types of personally owned, all-black apparel that reflect the class or vocation of the character. For example: First Class in more formal attire; Second Class in period business-type attire; Third Class in period casual/everyday wear; ship’s crew in appropriate workwear. Again, everyone will be in all-black attire.

FLUX: Musicals in Motion - APOCALYPSE ! The Musical

Audition Requirements:
- Short up-tempo pop song in the style of Pasek and Paul or Sarah Bareilles
- 30-second comic monologue
NOTE: This will be an undergraduate only cast.

Machines Like Me

Audition Requirements:
- Adam: (artificial human). Must move very well- co-ordinated, able to isolate body parts and explore the process of coming into physical being through the production.
- Miranda and Charlie: Must move well, and able to embody abstract scenes of physical intimacy.
- Maxie (Maxfield), Turing, Mr Sayed: must move well, and be able to embody the physical character of older person. Accents (of status and place) important for these 3 chartacters.
- All of the performers must be able to speak in a British-light accent. There is a significant monologue of depth and length for every character. My preference is for 5 performers playing everything.
About the Script:
- The source material for "Machines Like Me", is a brilliant and timely novel about AI development and human nature.
- A draft of the script can be read by clicking here.

Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812

Audition Preferences:
- Performers may use the allotted 2 minutes as they please. If you are expressly interested in musicals, you may ‘sing’ as much of that 2 minutes as you’d like (broken up into two 1-minute vocal excerpts, one 2-minute excerpt, etc). Performers interested in this production should follow the guidelines listed below. You may sing from the score if you are expressly interested in a certain role(s), excluding the song ‘No One Else’.
What TO sing:
- Contemporary or Pop/Rock MT
- Pop/Rock/Indie material with weight, character and substance
- Golden age showcasing legit ability
- Extracts from the score are permitted, but not required
What NOT to sing:
- Lightweight/Bubblegum Pop/Rock material
Style requirements:
- Versatility is key
- Pop/Rock belt
- Legit singing
- Able to blend chorally (ears!)
- Contemporary musical theatre storytelling

Clown and Mask Show - NOT CASTING AT MEGAS

The Clown and Mask show will be created and casted as part of Eli Simon’s clowning class in Winter quarter.

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

If you play an instrument, please plan to play it during your audition or callback.
Callbacks will focus on group dynamics and how people work together.