Audition Announcement
Dance Nation
By Clare Barron
Directed by Audrey Lauren Standish
Rehearsals begin: Monday, June 16, 2025
Performances: July 24-August 3, 2025; remounted September 11-21, 2025
Hemsley Theatre
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Auditions are open to all students, regardless of major, as well as staff, faculty, and members of UW-Madison communities.
Generals: Friday, March 14 4:30pm-10pm in Vilas 1090.
Please sign up for a time via this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D49AAA822AAF49-55477135-dance#/
Callbacks: Sunday, March 16, 10:00am-12:00pm Vilas 1090/1132.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Actors are encouraged to read the script prior to auditions. A content advisory notice is below. Perusal copies of the script are available in the Department of Theatre and Drama Main Office, 6173 Vilas, 821 University Ave, during regular hours 8 am-5 pm Monday to Friday. For a digital copy, scan the code below.
For Generals:
Actors should prepare a 2-minute monologue from a play written in a similar style or character type to those in Dance Nation.
For Callbacks:
Actors called back will receive and email in advance with details. Callbacks will include a cold reading from the script and a dance call.
Note: If you have an unmovable conflict and cannot attend the general auditions, we may be able to accommodate a video audition. Please reach out to Audrey Standish awax@wisc.edu and Jahana Azodi jazodi@wisc.edu together to arrange and for details. Submissions must be received by March 14. Callbacks must be in person.
THE PLAY:
Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they will claw their way to the top at the Boogie Down Grand Prix in Tampa Bay. But in Clare Barron’s raucous pageant of ambition and ferocity, these young dancers have more than choreography on their minds, because every plié and jeté is a step toward finding themselves, and a fight to unleash their power.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
- Rehearsals for University Theatre will take place Monday-Friday 6-10 pm. Note that summer rehearsal may happen earlier pending availability. Actors will have the opportunity to indicate hourly availability on the audition form.
- Student actors cast in this production must register for 3 credits of THEATRE 360.
A Note on Staged Intimacy: All staged intimate contact will be led in rehearsals by a consultant trained in staging intimacy. All instances of staged intimacy for the characters required of the script are noted with the character description below. Other instances of scripted intimacy (such as kisses to the hand, embraces) are optional and based on actors’ consent, with the intimacy director, director, or in partnership with both, in line with UT guidelines. If actors have questions, they will be given an option to indicate this on the audition form.
A Note on Staged Violence: All staged contact will be led in rehearsals by a consultant trained in staging violence. All instances of staged violence for the characters required of the script are noted below. If actors prefer not to be considered for characters because of required staged violence or have questions they will be given an option to indicate this on the audition form.
***There will be no staged intimacy or violence of any kind in auditions or callbacks***
A Note on Ensemble Movement/Choreography: All movement will be led in rehearsals by a faculty artist and/or consultant trained in ensemble practices and/or movement. All movement exercises and choreography will be adapted to the abilities and experience level of members of the ensemble. No experience is necessary, although an interest and investment in collaborative, devised movement and dancing is desired!
*** Callbacks will include a dance call; please come prepared to move freely.***
A Note on Costumes: Please note that costumes will include form-fitting dance wear.
Content Advisory: This show contains coarse language, depictions of self-harm, simulated masturbation and descriptions of masturbation, sex and sexual violence.
Important Note on COVID-19: Please note that with safety considerations related to COVID-19, staging, including movement, intimacy and violence may be curtailed, abstracted, or cut. The University Theatre adheres to all University policies on COVID-19 concerning events and classes UW COVID information https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/covid/. As such, UT highly recommends practices that align with the current CDC guidelines https://archive.cdc.gov.
Script: For a digital copy of the script, held by UW Libraries, go to this link.
ROLES OPEN FOR AUDITIONS:
Roles may be cast by actors who identify as any gender, race, ethnicity, ability, or nationality unless indicated below.
*/** All instances of staged intimacy and staged violence for the characters required of the script are noted with the character description below.
- AMINA: 13; girl; competitive; “the star dancer”
- */** Note: Pat inappropriately touches Amina’s butt & Amina masturbates on stage (p. 47)
- ZUZU: 13; girl; insecure; “always second best”
- */** Note: Zuzu bites herself and slams herself against a wall (p.34), and Pat inappropriately touches Zuzu’s shoulder (p. 57).
- CONNIE: 13; girl; forming a romantic relationship with Ashlee; “a talented dancer who thinks she should play the role of Gandhi.” Connie identifies as South Asian.
- This role must be played by an actor of South Asian descent.
- */** Note: Ashley kisses Connie (p. 103).
- LUKE: 13; boy; has a crush on Zuzu; “the only male dancer on the competition team”
- ASHLEE: 13; boy; low self-confidence; forming a romantic relationship with Connie; prone to feral outbursts; “future president of post-apocalyptic USA”
- */** Note: Ashlee kisses Connie (p.103).
- SOFIA: 13; female; “knows what’s up”
- */** Note: Sofia gets her first period onstage and puts on a tampon, this will be abstracted (p. 60).
- MAEVE: 13; girl; Zuzu’s companion; empathetic—a dreamer; “the oldest and least talented dancer on the team”
- VANESSA: 13; girl; injures herself in the first scene of the play and does not reappear.
- DANCER TEACHER PAT: middle aged; man; strict and demanding dance instructor
- */** Note: Pat inappropriately touches Anina’s butt (p. 47) and Zuzu’s shoulder (p.57).
- THE MOMS: Means well. Doesn’t matter which mom she’s playing, her child is always the best. Protective and wants to be a positive part of her child’s life. Grown-up Wendy. *This performer also may be cast as Vanessa.
******
Do you have questions?? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ann Shanahan at amshanahan@wisc.edu, Aly Amidei at aramidei@wisc.edu or Jahana Azodi at jadzodi@wisc.edu