Community Ensemble Theatre Casting and Crew

Policies & Processes

General Participation Policies

  1. Auditions and crew participation are open to all 9th - 12th grade students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

  2. Students should consider commitments to other activities when auditioning or applying for crew.  Here are some factors to consider:

    a. Rehearsals typically occur Mondays through Fridays, 3:45 pm - 5:30 or 6 pm, with some weekend rehearsals, and the frequency with which

    actors are called to rehearsal often depends on the size of their role. 

    b. Crew meetings typically take place during one weekday afternoon and one weekend day.  

    c. Rehearsals and crew meetings increase in frequency and length as the show date approaches. 

    d. Tech week rehearsals take place every day, and are required for students in cast and crew, ending as late as 10:30 pm. 

  3. In the spirit of supporting students’ ability to explore and experience all of their interests in high school, CET offers some flexibility, while also valuing a strong commitment to our work together.  Knowing that it can be complicated to navigate and manage multiple commitments, we invite students to check with the CET Director if they have questions about existing or potential conflicts before or during the registration/audition process.  It is expected that, in the absence of an urgent/emergency situation, cast and crew will be present at all rehearsals and crew meetings they are called to.  Some conflicts can be accommodated, but good communication around conflicts must be in place from the beginning and throughout the process for a student to remain in good standing in the CET program.  Examples of good communication:

a. Including all known conflicts in registration forms.

b. Contacting stage management and the CET Director as soon as a new conflict arises.  

c. Engaging proactively in problem-solving with the CET Director and leadership of a program/event that comes into conflict with CET’s schedule.  

Crew Policies

  1. All students who apply for crew with CET will be offered a position on crew.  

  2. Student crew leaders apply for leadership positions in their initial application.  

  3. Student crew leaders (including the Student Tech Director, Assistant Director, and Stage Managers) will be chosen by the CET Director and Adult Tech Director based on past experience and leadership application materials.

  4. Student crew leaders will be responsible for determining crew placement (in consultation with the Adult Tech Director) based on preference indicated in application forms.  

  5. Student crew placement will be determined based on preference indicated in application forms.  Although this may not be possible, every effort will be made to place each student in their first choice of crew.

  6. All crew members and a parent/guardian must sign a safety waiver prior to engaging in activities deemed higher risk by CET leadership (use of saws, ladders, etc.).  

Casting Policies

  1. All students who audition for a CET production will be offered a role in the show.  

  2. The directing team is responsible for casting the show. This team includes the director, choreographer (if applicable), and music director (if applicable).

  3. Students may reach out to the directing team before auditions with questions about the show and audition materials, and directors may meet with students to discuss these materials.  These conversations or meetings before auditions are not part of the casting process.  

  4. The directing team will cast the show based on their vision for and the needs of that show.  Casting is a creative and complicated process and varies for each show, depending upon the unique combination of each show’s needs, the directors’ vision for the show, and the students who audition for that show.  

  5. No roles are cast prior to the auditions.  The content provided for auditions is carefully selected in order to aid the directing team in discovering how their vision for the show is impacted by the students who audition.  

  6. The directing team will select the students that best fit the roles or needs of the show, regardless of previous experience or casting.  

  7. The CET directing team will always make an effort to approach casting with an eye on diversity, equity and inclusion.  We will work to keep our minds and our stage open to all performers, regardless of identity, and with the goal of engaging in the casting process with as much flexibility as possible.  Sometimes shows have specific needs for casting that impact this flexible approach, but please note that it’s something we value highly.  

  8. If the directing team finds two students equally suited for a part, seniority and past history with CET may be considered. However, seniority does not determine casting decisions. If an underclass student is the best for the role in the opinion of the directing team, they may be cast.

Audition Feedback

  1. If a student would like feedback on their individual audition, the student should reach out to the CET Director, who will work with the directing team to provide feedback on their individual performance.

  2. CET will not share information regarding other students' auditions or share why a student received the role over another student.

  3. The directing team prefers to speak with the students rather than parents/guardians regarding casting decisions as we aim to develop and empower students to take responsibility for their own experience.

Casting Decisions are based on the following criteria:

  1. Singing voice (if applicable)

a. Vocal strength and ability to project

b. Vocal tone, quality, and style - each show has unique needs. Some shows require musical theater belt, pop voice, classical voice, etc.

c. Ability to sing in tune

d. Ability to learn music quickly or prepare music on one’s own

e. Vocal range

  1. Acting 

a. Strong acting choices that demonstrate understanding of the material

b. Stage presence and focus

c. Projection

d. Good storytelling through acting

e. Ability to listen and react to a scene partner (if applicable)

f. Ability to take direction (if applicable)

g. Singing and dancing (if applicable) must be accompanied by feeling and a demonstration that you understand the lyrics and/or movement

  1. Dance (if applicable)

a. Ability to learn choreography

b. Technique

c. Performance - ability to dance with energy and expression

d. General comfort with movement - a student does not need to have formal dance training, but the directing team will look for students that are trying hard and have an ease with movement.

The following can also play a role in casting:

  • Work ethic and previous rehearsal behavior (if applicable) - if a student has been involved in prior shows, the student is hardworking, attentive, and reliable (i.e. student shows up for rehearsal, student responds to emails in a timely manner, student follows CET show requirements, etc.)