POWERHOUSE THEATRE COLLABORATIVE
Audition to be a Power Player
We have audition opportunities throughout the year for community members of all levels of experience!
Open Auditions
Upcoming Auditions:
A rough schedule of future auditions.
Play Festival by video TBD
Big Bad (ages 12+) /Peter and the Starcatcher (16+) July
Questions about auditions?
Check out our audition FAQs or send us an email.
AUDITION FOR:
1776
Director Bryan Halperin
Vocal Director & Conductor Laura IwaskiewiczAuditions are BY VIDEO
Deadline: Registration and Video is due by Sunday March 29, 2026
When you fill out the registration from, there will be a place for you to upload videos described below.
About the show
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative announces auditions for a special concert version of 1776 the Musical in collaboration with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra. There will be two performances on June 27, 2026 at 2 pm and 7 pm.
Auditions will be by video only - please fill out the registration form and upload a video containing not more than a 1 min musical theatre song of your choosing that showcases your vocal range and acting ability and one of the two provided audition sides. Registration and Video is due by Sunday March 29, 2026.
Most rehearsals will take place in May on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays in Laconia. There will be a few brush up rehearsals in June and a mandatory Sitz Probe with Orchestra on Tuesday June 23, and mandatory dress/tech Friday June 26. Both at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia.
Rehearsals will begin shortly after May 3.
There is a $25 participation fee for all actors cast. If this presents a hardship, simply let us know. Nobody will be turned away for inability to pay.
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for talented actors (18+) who sing well as the show is mostly dialogue with only a few group numbers. Auditioners should be self motivated, as while this is a concert version with minimal staging, we do expect the play to be fully memorized and performed without scripts in hand and with only so many in person rehearsals actors will need to work hard on their own time to prepare.
While most characters in the show are male, there are a number of the male roles that can be played by any gender but we want to honor your preference so please answer honestly on the audition form.
NOTE: Rehearsals will overlap with Powerhouse’s Play Festival rehearsal period. While it is possible to do both please bear in mind this would make for a very busy May. Rehearsals will overlap less with Powerhouse’s summer Musical Shrek and it is possible to do both. Again, bear in mind that will make for a busy June for you.
What to prepare:
Music
please fill out the registration form and upload a video containing not more than a 1 min song of your choosing that showcases your vocal range and acting ability
Please name file for uploading: AUDITIONER’S NAME_SONG.MP4
Sides
please upload a video one of the two provided audition sides.
Please name file for uploading: AUDITIONER’S NAME_SIDE.MP4
AUDITION FOR:
SHREK
Director Bryan Halperin
Vocal Director: Alex Hunton
Choreographer: Meg King
Stage Manger: Emma MolloyTuesday May 5 and Thursday May 7 Colonial Theatre, Laconia NH
Youth ages 6-15: 6:00-6:30 (singing audition)
All: 6:30-7:00 (Dance Audition - an additional tap audition will take place after general dance audition)
Adults 16+: 7:00-9:00 (Singing Audition)
Callbacks: Sunday May 10, 6:00 pm (singing from show and sides)
*Video auditions are an option for those who can not make either in person date. In person is preferred if possible.
Questions: info@powerhousenh.org
About the show
Performance Dates Aug 7-9, Colonial Theatre in Laconia
Everyone’s favorite ogre comes to the Colonial Stage for Powerhouse’s big annual multi-generational musical production. Come on an adventure through the swamp with Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and all your favorite fairy tale characters as they attempt to outwit Lord Farquuad, find true love and let their freak flags fly! "Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's a large green one on hand...
Most rehearsals will generally take place Mon, Wed, and Sun at The Colonial Theatre. They will begin in June.
What to prepare: May 5-7 Auditions will consist of a singing and dance component
Music
please prepare a one minute musical theatre song of your choosing. Please provide a backing track for your selection. In the audition form, there will be a place to upload the music.
Dance
Please prepare the dance selection provided. (COMING SOON - there will be a dance video as well as a breakdown video to help you learn it.) Meg will review the dance at each audition. If you wish to be considered for a tapping role, please also prepare the tap audition (coming soon).
Sides
Sides will used at callbacks, but if you’d like to familiarize yourself with them in advance, see the link below.
Audition FAQs
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Powerhouse attempts to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all talent levels and is proud of its participants who always welcome newcomers and who support each other onstage and behind the scenes.
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At Powerhouse we like to do OPEN auditions where all auditioners come at the same time and are in one room so potential cast members can all see who they might be working with and share the experience. We feel this is a great way to start ensemble building by sharing in this experience. The other auditioners are always very supportive.
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Sides (audition readings from the script) are always provided in advance, as well as information for what kind of songs we are looking for if there is a music component to the auditions. If there is a choreography component there will be a video provided with the basic dance instruction which will then be reviewed at auditions.
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The size of the cast is dependent on the show. Whenever possible we try to get as many people involved as possible, but sometimes we are not able to cast all who audition. If you don’t get a role this time, we hope you will come back again!
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Powerhouse accepts video submissions for those who cannot attend in person, but in person is always preferred when possible.
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Powerhouse likes to audition 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the rehearsal process - sometimes even more! This gives actors time to familiarize themselves with the material and start learning lines so when rehearsals start we can dive right in!
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Rehearsals can run from 6-10 weeks depending on the show.
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Rehearsals are generally held Sunday afternoons from 1-5 or 1-6 and Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9 pm. Not all actors are called for all rehearsals. Conflicts should be noted on the registration form when you audition.
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There is a $20 (for plays) or $25 (for musicals) participation fee for all actors cast. If this presents a hardship, let us know. Nobody will be turned away for inability to pay.
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Actors are expected to practice music and dance at home and learn lines between rehearsals in order to put together an excellent show! Theatre is a team effort where everyone has to play their part... literally in the case of theatre! And, we hope you will also promote the show to friends and family so you can share the final product with them.
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Tech/Production Week for Colonial Series shows begins the Sunday BEFORE a show opens. This is when all of the technical elements like lights, sound, and costumes are added. All actors are expected at all rehearsals that week unless there is an illness or sudden emergency. Other weekly conflicts must be skipped that week.
