What does the theater auditioning process look like at LCC?

By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter

With the 2026-2027 theater season right around the corner, it is important for those interested in auditioning to know how the auditioning process works. All show auditions are open to students, even those who are not performing arts majors, and to the public.

“Each director, depending on what the production is, will set up the audition,” Paige Dunkel, performing arts production coordinator, said. “Usually, it’s cold readings from the script for a play. For a musical, they’ll have them prepare 15 bars from a song and may go through a movement part of the audition.” This movement part of the audition is taught by one of LCC’s dance faculty, who will give a combination for the auditionees to perform.

After the audition is over, depending on the turnout, a callback may be the next step. A callback is where a select few continue their auditioning process for a lead role. All members called back have a part in the show; however, they have to audition again to be selected for a lead role. But, if the turnout is less than expected and callbacks are not necessary, the cast list will be announced after the two days of auditions.

There is lots of work that goes into producing the shows after auditions. “We have a scene shop and also a costume shop,” Dunkel stated. “We have people who work in those areas and we utilize student employees as well. The sets are built by faculty, student employees or theater students needing hours for their required labs.” Every set you see on the stage is handmade. According to Dunkel, no set is commissioned (bought from others), and the costume department is also being ran by students and staff. One can become a part of the scene shop or costume shop through applying using the LCC career website.

The shows for the 2026-2027 theater season are The Casserole Play and Eurydice in the fall and Hir (pronounced “her”) and Machinal in the spring. Auditions for the fall shows are expected to begin in September. Those interested in more information about the shows can read about them on the student news site  and learn about auditions on the Performing Arts Department website.