Audition Information

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY PRIOR TO SIGNING UP.
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When?

General Auditions: Wednesday, November 18th, 2026

Callbacks: Thursday, November 19th & Friday, November 20th

Who Can Audition?

Any UMBC students registered for the Spring 2027 semester are welcome to audition*! 

Non-first year BFA actors: Non-first year BFA Acting Majors are required to audition.

*First year BFA actors: BFA students are not invited to participate in department auditions until the end of the spring semester of their freshman year as they prepare to be considered for acting roles beginning in their sophomore year and beyond. 

Audition Policy:

All who audition, regardless of major or track, agree to play as cast. This means that by auditioning you are committing to accepting any role or understudy assignment, and are available for the rehearsal and production schedule.

Requesting an Audition Exemption:

Non first year BFA students may request an audition exemption. Requests are reviewed and accepted on a case to case basis. To request an exemption, please submit this form no later than Monday, November 9th by 12 noon.

General Auditions:

Date: Wednesday, November 18th, from 6:00 – 10:00 pm.

Location: Check in at the audition table in the PAHB Atrium.

To Prepare: (Keep in mind, your TOTAL audition time should be no more than 2 minutes. That includes both your monologue and skill demo.)

• For Merlin: prepare ONE monologue (any genre) in which the character is under extreme circumstances, preferably one that showcases your ability with complex language.
• For Ludicrous: prepare a single “skill” to show us, in silence. Select one of the two types of “skills” below. Feel free to acknowledge and engage with the audience (directors and stage managers) as you demonstrate this skill. Roughly 30-60 seconds
  • A real skill such as juggling, an acrobatic move, baton twirling, simple magic trick. You can do it badly or successfully, so long as you act like it’s amazing, no matter how it goes. Finish with a deep bow.
  • OR A ridiculous skill such as superior tooth flossing, extremely elegant chair-sitting, turning the pages of a book in the correct way, or demonstrating mastery of unzipping and re-zipping a backpack. You may use any of these examples if you wish or make up your own – it doesn't matter what it is, so long as you do it with great conviction and seriousness. Finish with a deep bow.
• BFAs only: 3 printed copies of your resume & headshot (8"x10", standard acting resume formatting).

Callbacks:

Details will be sent to those called back.

Merlin callbacks: Thursday, November 19th, from 6:00 – 10:00pm

Ludicrous callbacks: Friday, November 20th, from 6:00 – 10:00pm

Show Information

Merlin

Written by: Susan McCully

Directed by: Eve Muson

Presented in The Proscenium Theatre

About the play: During a catastrophic storm surge in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a mutual-aid collective coordinates emergency shelter operations while a woman searches desperately for her missing dog, Merlin. Inside a media studio used as an emergency coordination center, activists navigate tensions surrounding privilege, leadership, and collective responsibility while organizing shelter for hundreds of displaced residents. Meanwhile, Merlin undergoes a surreal evolutionary transformation—from dog to otter to fish to microalgae—symbolizing ecological interdependence and adaptation. As the storm intensifies, the characters confront the limits of individual heroism and the necessity of collective action. The play ultimately imagines survival through networks of cooperation and mutual aid rather than domination or escape.

Casting Breakdown:

• MERLIN, Jack Russell/Schnauzer mix; (they/he/she)
• *MISSY, (Margaret McDaniel), white, female, 50s (*This role is cast)
• LEAH, white, 20s to early 30s
• SONIA, black, 20s to early 30s
• PAMMY, 30s-40s, any race, female
• *DUNCAN MCDANIEL, 70s (*This role is cast)
• KYLE, white, male, one of Duncan's "guys"
• ZACH, white, male, another of Duncan’s "guys"
• DONNIE, worker from downtown office tower who is sheltering with emergentZs
• *JOANNE VAN BRUNT (Pre-recorded voice), Klimate Kitty from affluent suburb seeking to help Zs (*This role is cast)
• MARCUS, REESIE, CARLTON, MANNY, WITNESS, K, D, J, P (6 Live Voice Actors), any gender, any race: emergentZs team members coordinating shelter operations and emergentZ followers who are seeking help. Also play the occassional "bot" trolling the Kitties feed.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals are Monday through Friday, 6:00 - 10:00 pm, with extended hours during tech, dress rehearsal and performance weeks

Important Dates:

Tech: Wednesday, March 24th - Wednesday, March 31st

Opening: Thursday, April 1st

Closing: Sunday, April 11th

CLICK HERE TO READ MERLIN

LUDICROUS!

A very silly variety show

Created and Directed by: Gerrad Alex Taylor & Colette Searls

Presented in The Black Box

About: This 390 Theatre in Production class entails training, rehearsal, and devising. All students will learn and work on material for two forms: standup comedy led by Prof. Gerrad Taylor, and physical comedy/red-nose clowning and “bits” that are solo and small-group, led by Prof. Colette Searls. Training will lead into writing and devising standup routines and comic bits, many of which will ultimately be selected and directed for Ludicrous by Gerrad and Colette. All actors will perform in one or more bits or standup routines in Ludicrous, including a climactic comic fight scene! The process will be challenging, but also full of joy and fun!

Rehearsal Schedule:

This production rehearses as part of a class that meets Tuesdays/Thursdays: 9:00am-10:50am* and Fridays: 9:00a-12:00p* with extended hours during tech and performance.

*Note: these times do not conflict with BFA acting courses

Important Dates:

Tech: Monday, April 26th - Thursday, April 29th

Opening: Friday, April 30th

Closing: Sunday, May 2nd

Sign up for an Audition Slot

Important Reminders:

• You should read any play linked in this email prior to auditions.
• Please sign up for the earliest slot available that you are able to attend.
• The audition sign up will close on the morning of November 17th. If you need to make any edits you will need to email Grace Shepperd at gsheppe1@umbc.edu
• Bring all known conflicts to your audition. You will be asked to fill out your audition and disclosure forms when you arrive at your audition.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time!
• All cast are required to be available for all scheduled rehearsals with extended evening & weekend hours during tech, and for all performances.
• A full rehearsal and production schedule will be provided following casting. 

SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION SLOT HERE