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Theatre/Cinema Auditions

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT
VT School of Performing Arts proudly presents
Dance Nation
By Claire Barron
Direction by Julia Devine/ Choreography by Rachel Rugh

Production Information:
Dance Nation is a feral, feminist romp inspired by the 2010s reality show “Dance Moms.” This acclaimed, unorthodox dramatic comedy follows a troupe of ultra-competitive pre-teen dancers from Ohio as they claw their way to a national dance championship in Tampa, Florida (blood and fangs included)!  The play explores the trials and tribulations of puberty, ambition, rage, and the terror of turning 13! Are you ready to connect with your tween spirit? Then this piece is for YOU!

Winner! 2015 Relentless Award /Winner! 2017 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize /Finalist 2018 Pulitzer prize

It is recommended that you read the play ahead of your audition to get a sense of its tone and style. No prior dance experience is required, but you should enjoy moving! There will be dance moments to a very fun soundtrack throughout the show. Copies of the script will be available to be checked out with Stacy Blackburn starting on August 26 in the Production Office, Henderson 303.

CHARACTERS:
DANCE TEACHER PAT, The head of the dance studio. Male identifying. *This role requires the suggested touch of Amina’s bottom.
AMINA, The star dancer. Female identifying. *This role requires simulated masturbation.
ZUZU, Always second best. Female identifying. *This role requires simulation of biting an arm out of anxiety and slamming herself against a wall.
CONNIE, A talented dancer who thinks she should play the role of Gandhi in the competition dance. Female identifying and must be of South Asian descent. *This role requires a simulated kiss with Ashlee.
LUKE, The only male dancer in the competition team. Male identifying.
MAEVE, The oldest and least talented dancer on the team. Female identifying.
SOFIA, Knows what’s up. Female identifying. *This role requires the simulation of getting a first period and using a tampon.
ASHLEE, Future president of the post-apocalyptic USA. Female identifying. *This role requires a simulated kiss with Connie.
CRUMPLED SAILOR AKA VANESSA, Could've been a phenomenon. Female identifying. Also plays one of the moms and will understudy.
MOMS, Zuzu’s Mom, Luke’s Mom, Sofia’s Mom, and another Mom. All moms will also serve as understudies.

*There will be 5 understudies (4 female identifying and 1 male identifying who will also play the God mic.)
Actors of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, identities, and orientations are welcome to audition. 

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of masturbation, sex, and circumcision. Dancers get changed from dance clothes to street clothes.

  • REHEARSALS will be held October 5, 2026 – November 9, 2026. 
  • Staging Rehearsals will be held six days a week: 6-10 pm Monday-Thursday, Friday 2-6 pm, and Sundays 12-4 in Theatre 101, Room 201. 
  • Spacing and Technical Rehearsals will be on stage in Studio Theatre, Squires Student Center November 2-November 9.
  • Note: Technical rehearsal on Saturday, November 7 is 11 am - 9 pm, and there is NO rehearsal on Sunday, November 8.
  • PERFORMANCES are November 10-November 15, 2026 in the Studio Theatre in Squires Student Center. There are six performances total: 7:30 pm each night and a matinee Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm. No performance on Saturday, November 14 because of football.

WHEN will AUDITIONS be held?

  • Auditions are Tuesday, September 1 from 6:00pm-10pm. If needed, we will also audition on Wednesday, September 2 from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Your individual audition will be scheduled for a specific 5-minute time slot. Once you have submitted your form, you will receive an email from stage manager Alexandra Wyant or PM Stacy Blackburn with the time of your individual audition appointment.
  • Callbacks will be held THURSDAY, September 3, 6-10 pm. Callbacks will consist of dance/movement calls in small groups for the first half followed by the reading of sides (scene cuttings) from the script. These will be provided to you.

WHERE will AUDITIONS be held?

Theatre 101 Building, Rm 101, 200 College Avenue, Blacksburg.

WHAT do I need to prepare for my AUDITION?

For your audition, please prepare a one-minute contemporary monologue preferably memorized but not required. This can also be a poem or a story. Whatever you choose, make sure there’s a strong personal connection and please adhere to one minute. Please also prepare 30 seconds of dancing/moving to a favorite song from your tween years. This can be played on your phone. Think of this dancing/moving as something you would have done in your bedroom when no one was watching. Again, no prior dance experience required.

HOW do I sign up to audition?

Use the online sign-up form. You will receive an email from the Stage Manager confirming your 5-minute audition time slot.