General Audition Information

While Revels uses a number of professional performers in its productions, its volunteer choruses – adults, teens and children – are at its core. We audition adults for several productions, including The Christmas Revels; we audition teens only for The Christmas Revels and children for both that show and May Revels. Although a number of adult singers from previous productions return to audition for new shows, we value the presence of new faces in our choruses every year. We also look for a variety of ages, ancestries, sizes and personalities to create a realistic “village” on stage. People of diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

Our Criteria

Revels cast members are people who love to sing, who sing vigorously and accurately with a good sense of rhythm and who can hold their own part in a choral context. Some are experienced choral singers, some are not. Revels chorus members have a wide range of musical backgrounds and skills. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text is. Theatrical experience of some kind is helpful, but again not required; the ability to be comfortable on stage is.

Adults

Adult chorus auditions are held every year in late May. Be prepared to sing 2 short audition pieces of your choice without accompaniment. Your selection can be from any era or genre with the exception of "pop" music or show tunes. Traditional songs, seasonal carols, folk tunes, hymns, and early vocal works are recommended.

Do pick something you are comfortable singing. Often a simple song well sung is more effective than a more complicated one. Don't try to impress us with something difficult -- just sing something you love and know well. In the interest of time, we may stop you after a verse or two rather than hear the whole song. You will also be asked to join others in some simple dance steps and some group singing.

Teens

Teen auditions (grades 9-12) are held in September, usually on the first Saturday or Sunday after Labor Day.

Auditions are low-key and lots of fun. Teens are seen in groups of 6 -10. Each teen is asked to prepare a short song to sing unaccompanied; please see the above “Adult” section for important information about the kind of music you should choose for your audition piece. You will also participate in some group singing and dancing. Auditions will take a little more than an hour; arrive about 10 minutes early to fill out your audition form. Come dressed to move; no special shoes or clothing necessary but don’t wear tight skirts, platforms shoes, loose sandals or clogs.

The teens always bring a special energy to our Revels productions. In addition to joining the adult chorus on many of their songs, teens may be featured in a dance number or two; some productions may also provide acting opportunities for individual teens. We are looking for teens who are comfortable and confident on stage – kids who work well in a group and can share their emotions and enthusiasm with each other and the audience. Revels is unlike any Broadway-style musical theatre production they may have experienced. This is principally an ensemble show, and does not usually feature solos or specific characters teens can try out for. We ask a lot of our teens, but the rewards are great, both in terms of experiencing a major, professionally staged production and in the relationships they build not only within the teen group but with the entire Revels community of performers, production staff and volunteers.

Children

Revels Children's Chorus auditions are held in September, usually on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day with callbacks on Sunday. The Children's Chorus is open to boys and girls entering grades 3-5 (about ages 8-10).

The children rehearse for The Christmas Revels on 10 Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00pm, in Silver Spring, MD, beginning in mid-September; in addition the children attend some weekend rehearsals with the adult cast, as well as in-theater rehearsals at Lisner during Tech Week before the show opens. The children rehearse for May Revels on Wednesday afternoons starting in late March or the first week in April; they also join in a dress rehearsal with the full cast shortly before the performance, which takes place on the first Sunday in May.

The audition is very low-key and lots of fun. Kids are seen in groups of 6-10 and should be finished in about an hour. They will be taught a simple song or two and we will play together, as the ability to enjoy group play and receive instructions in a relaxed way is important. Each child should be prepared to sing a short unaccompanied song; this should be something simple that he or she is comfortable with and enjoys singing (something from school, a carol, folk song, even “Happy Birthday” if they can’t come up with anything else -- no pop, please.) Make sure that your child is dressed in clothing in which he or she can sit on the floor and move around easily; no tight skirts, loose sandals or clogs.

Revels is looking for children who are enthusiastic, musical, comfortable on stage and happy working in a group. This is not a production for “Broadway” types: often children used to this kind of show can be very frustrated that it is not a 'flashy' process. The Revels child appears more “natural” and can be loud and boisterous or quiet or calm. We try to get a range of ages, heights, personalities and diverse looks, just as we do in the adult chorus. The adult chorus is cast in late May, so our directors will be looking for children to complete these stage families.

Generally, signups for auditions begin in mid-August; starting then, you should call 301-587-3835 to register you child for an audition. At other times of the year, interested parents should send an email to info@revelsdc.org or contact Susan Lewis at slewis@revelsdc.org if you have questions.

May Revels

There are no adult or teen auditions for May Revels. Except for children, the May Revels chorus is made up of former Christmas Revels chorus members and people who have volunteered significant time to Washington Revels during the past year.