Casting Policy

The primary goal of the Department is to provide an education in theatre for students enrolled in the UH system. One of the ways students learn to act is by performing in Department productions. Public performances show to campus and community audiences the results of these educational efforts.

It is therefore the general policy of the department to cast all roles in Main Season and MFA productions from among currently enrolled students, as well as faculty and staff, in the UH system.

In order to carry out this aim of education in performance:

• Plays will be chosen that can be performed by student actors.
• Plays will be chosen that offer diverse roles which challenge and stimulate growth in student actors.
• No roles will be pre-cast and casting for all plays will include auditions open only to UH students.
• Auditions will be widely publicized on campus by poster, by Ka Leo notices, and by ads.
• Student organizations of the Department are encouraged to take an active role promoting audition turnouts.
• All Department majors and students enrolled in performance classes will be urged to audition.
• Students will indicate on audition cards which roles they will accept and be available for; they will be expected to fulfill the commitment so indicated.

Occasionally the Department may pre-cast an invited Guest Artist in a particular role, offering students an opportunity to perform with an older, experienced artist. Occasionally, if the special nature of a play demands it (large cast, unusual skills, etc.), auditions may be opened to those outside the UH system. These cases will be decided by the Department as part of the play selection for a season.

If an insufficient number of UH students, faculty, and staff attends auditions to enable a play to be cast, the director may cast from those outside the UH system.

In all circumstances casting priority is given to UH students.