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Fill out a volunteer survey. You will be added to our system so you can receive emails of upcoming volunteer and acting opportunities.

Auditions are open to everyone ages 7 and older regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Religion, or Sexuality. No previous experience is required.

Most Merely Players auditions are “Cold Readings.” This means that you will be given a part of the script to read either by yourself or with other auditioners. Copies of these are typically in the waiting area for you to review before going in for the auditions. If you require additional assistance reading the script, please let one of our volunteers know.

For musical productions there are two additional parts to the audition;

Singing: we will ask you to sing scales to get an idea of your vocal range. In addition, you can either prepare a short piece of music (approximately 5-10 measures) or we will ask you to sing a well-known piece of music (Eg. Happy Birthday, ABC’s, Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star)

Dancing: The Choreographer will break auditioners into small groups. They will teach you a short dance and give you time to practice it a few times before performing it for the Director and Assistant Director. (*Don’t worry about having it down perfect. We understand that you just learned it.)

The most important piece of information that the director needs is a list of your conflicts. Rehearsals are typically Mon-Thurs (or Fridays depending on the show) from 6pm-9pm. Not all actors are required to attend every rehearsal or be there for the full time. Having a very clear understanding of people’s schedules and conflicts will help ensure the director is able to work around as many conflicts as possible. Having a conflict does not mean that you won’t be cast. Having too many conflicts that we don’t know about in advance on the other hand could mean that we have to make the difficult choice to recast the part. It is also very important the director knows if you are comfortable with certain things that might be expected from your character (eg: Stunts, heights, kissing or intimate scenes, Shaving or growing out facial hair, cutting or dying hair)

Call Backs: After your audition you might be asked to come in for a ‘call back’. This means that the director would like to see you audition again. Typically, this is done because the Director would like to see you read for different parts or with a different auditioning partner. *Not getting a ‘call back’ doesn’t mean you haven’t been cast.*

Phone Calls: Within 48 hours after Auditions and Call Backs are finished the Director or Assistant Director will reach out to you via phone call. All auditioners will receive a phone call regardless of whether or not you have been cast. *Not being cast does not mean that you didn’t do a great job. Please continue to come back and audition for future shows.

Putting on a play takes a lot of hands both onstage and off. Here are some other ways you can be a part of the show. None of these volunteer spots require previous experience. Our crew leads will help train you to your comfort level

Set Help
Build and paint a world for the characters. Basic knowledge of tools like Drills and Table Saws is a plus but not required.

Costume
Our Characters need clothes. Merely Players has a large stock of costumes to choose from to help bring personality to the characters. Sewing experience is a plus but not required.

Props
Finding or building stuff for our characters to have and hold. Out of the box thinkers are a big plus here.

Lights
Whether it’s as complicated as programing the lighting board, hanging and focusing lights running the board during a performance or as simple as running a spotlight. We can’t leave our actors out in the dark.

Sounds
Let’s make some noise. Hitting sound cues, adjusting microphones (for musicals) and coordinating with the light person

Stage Hands
Keep the show running smoothly by moving items on and off stage, help with costume changes, open or close the curtain and other back stage duties

Box Office
Selling tickets to patrons the night of each performance

Will Call
Checking in patrons who have already purchased tickets

Ushering Showing
Patrons to their seats and selling concessions at intermission

Every production is made up of a Production Team. Each team member is responsible for Leading a different aspect of a Performance. For more information on Paid or Stipend positions, Email info@merelyplayersmn.org .

Team Leads are as follows;

• Director

• Assistant Director

• Stage Manager

• Costume Coordinator

• Set Designer

• Lighting Designer

• Props Master

• Sound Designer

Additionally for Musicals

• Choreographer

• Musical Director

• Orchestra Members​