Theatre and Drama

University Theatre Auditions THE COMPASS – self-tapes due March 27

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Audition Announcement 

The Compass

By Michael Rohd

Directed by Micha Espinosa

 

AUDITION INFORMATION:

University Theatre auditions are open to all current and incoming UW-Madison students, regardless of major.

Auditions for The Compass will be by self-taped videos to be submitted by Friday, March 27.

Callbacks will be in person. Actors called back will receive an email in advance with details.:

  • Monday, April 6 7:30-10:00 pm Vilas 1090 *PRIORITIZE 9-10pm for students in Scene Painting course
  • Tuesday, April 7 3:30-5:30 pm Vilas 1090 *PRIORITIZE for members of the Much Ado company
  • Wednesday, April 8 4:30-5:30 pm Vilas 1090 *PRIORITIZE for members of the Much Ado company

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Actors are encouraged to read the script prior to auditions. Perusal copies of the script are available digitally here or  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 Auditions:

  1. In alignment with the mediated performance framework of the production, first-round auditions will be conducted via self-tape, with callbacks held in person. Please prepare a recording that includes the following:
  2. Personal Questions. Please answer both questions directly to camera:
    1. Tell us who you are outside of acting. What matters to you right now?
    2. How comfortable are you having a conversation with a stranger?

There are no right or wrong answers.  No longer than 2-3 minutes total

  1. Contemporary Monologue. Please prepare one contemporary monologue.
    1. The monologue should be approximately 45-60 seconds in length.
  2. Audition videos due Friday, March 27, 2026 (if you need assistance in creating the self-tape, please contact Stage Manager, Miriam Hayes at mvhayes2@wisc.edu and Assistant Director Jared Lee at mjlee46@wisc.edu by March 18).

The entire self-tape, including the questions and monologue, should be no more than four minutes total. Please record the monologue in one continuous take. No internal cuts or edits. The monologue may be comedic or dramatic form theatre, TV, or film.

Self-Tape Submission Protocol 

Please follow these guidelines to ensure your audition can be viewed smoothly.

Upload
Upload your self-tape using Vimeo, YouTube (Unlisted), Google Drive, or Dropbox. Submit a direct viewing link only.

Privacy Settings
Your video must play immediately without login or permission requests:

  • YouTube: Unlisted
  • Vimeo: Unlisted or private link
  • Google Drive / Dropbox: Anyone with the link — Viewer

File Naming
Label your file clearly:
FirstName_LastName_Project
Example: JordanRivera_TheCompass.mp4

Before Submitting

  • Test your link.
  • Confirm video and sound work properly
  • Watch the full video after upload.

Submitting your video & audition form

  • Email your uploaded video link to Stage Manager, Miriam Hayes at mvhayes2@wisc.edu. You will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to the audition form. Please submit your audition form by the Friday, March 27 deadline.

Best Practices for On-Camera Self-Tape

Frame yourself in a medium close-up, from chest to top of head.
Place the camera at eye level.
Use a stable surface or tripod and do not hold the phone.

Use natural light when possible, facing a window.
Avoid strong overhead lighting or heavy shadows.
Make sure your eyes are clearly visible.

Record in a quiet space.
Turn off fans, air conditioning, and notifications.
Clear sound is more important.

Wear solid colors with no patterns or logos.
Avoid white, black, or distracting accessories.
Keep clothing simple so the focus stays on your face and voice.

Speak directly to the camera for the questions.
For the monologue, imagine a real person just off camera.
Allow breath and thought. Do not rush.

Film horizontally.
Use a neutral background.

THE PLAY:

The Compass is a live, interactive performance at the intersection of technology, ethics, and civic decision-making. Structured as a public trial, the work examines the fate of a young person who relied on an app to make a life-altering decision. Each performance unfolds through audience choice, positioning spectators as participants in a shared civic process within a mediated environment that merges courtroom and public forum. Evidence, authority, and responsibility are negotiated in real time, positioning theatre as a site of civic inquiry and participatory dialogue.

Content advisory: 

This performance contains references to gun violence and addresses themes of artificial intelligence, mental health, and ethical decision-making.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION:

  • Rehearsals begin: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
  • Performances: October 15-25, 2026 including two 10am student matinee performances on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 and Friday, October 23, 2026
  • Venue: Mitchell Theatre
  • Student actors cast in this production must register for 1-3 credits of THEATRE 360.

OPEN ROLES (6 actors and 6 facilitators)

Unless otherwise noted, roles are open to casting of actors who identify as any gender, race, ethnicity, age, and ability.

Actor 1 – Marjan – 16-year-old female
Actor 2 – Chaz (Marjan’s best friend) / Kenneth (Compass user)
Actor 3 – Prosecutor / Ms. Ellis (Marjan’s teacher)
Actor 4 – Defense Attorney / Principal
Actor 5 – Ada ( Founder of Compass) / Dr. Blanca Rivera (Psychologist)
Actor 6 – Entrepreneur (Mark Merritt) / Mr. Daniel Ferguson (Marjan’s teacher)

Facilitator 1 (comfortable with audience interaction)
Facilitator 2 (comfortable with audience interaction)
Facilitator 3 (comfortable with audience interaction)
Facilitator 4 (comfortable with audience interaction)
Facilitator 5 (comfortable with audience interaction)
Facilitator 6 (comfortable with audience interaction)

We are seeking actors who:

  1. Have strong text and character skills
  2. Work well in tight ensemble storytelling
  3. Are comfortable in fast-paced, multi-role performance

We are seeking six skilled facilitators to guide audience participation throughout the performance.

Facilitator/Jurors will:

  1. Lead small-group audience conversations (up to 20-25 participants)
  2. Guide structured 4–5 minute dialogues during each act
  3. Support audience members in shaping brief juror reflections
  4. Help maintain a respectful, focused, and dynamic participatory environment
  5. Represent their group’s perspective within the structure of the event
  6. Participate in brief on-camera moments and live video capture during the performance

Facilitators must be comfortable on camera, as portions of the event include live video feed and recorded audience juror reflections.

Understudies
This production may cast swings. Swings will learn multiple roles and attend specific rehearsals. Expectations will be clearly laid out in the syllabus in advance.

Staged Intimacy: None

Staged Violence: None

Heightened Content: Throughout the play, characters grapple with gun violence in schools and ethical decision making. 

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Do you have questions?? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Show Director Micha Espinosa at micha.espinosa@wisc.edu, Artistic Director Aly Amidei at aramidei@wisc.edu or Director of Theatre Production Jahana Azodi at jazodi@wisc.edu