Auditions

All children and teens ages 7 to 18 are welcome to audition for Talent Machine’s annual holiday show, a spectacular revue that has become a family tradition in Central Maryland for nearly 35 years.

Audition Dates and Times: 

• Sunday, Sept. 10, 11 am to 2 pm
• Sunday, Sept. 17, 11 am to 2 pm

Audition Location: Stageworkz Theater Arts Project, 1035 Benfield Road, Millersville, MD.

How to Register for an Audition:
To register, please email the following information to holidayshow@talentmachine.com: 

• Auditioner’s name, age, school attending and email address
• Parent’s name and email address
• Preferred time slot
  • Auditions are in 30-minute increments. Please let us know which slot you prefer on either Sunday, Sept. 10 from 11 am to 2 pm (last audition slot is 2 pm) or Sunday, Sept. 17 from 11 am to 2 pm (last audition slot is 2 pm)

Who Is Eligible: Auditions are open to new and previous Talent Machine Company members, ages 7 to 18.

Tech Week: Friday, Dec. 8 through Thursday, Dec. 14 (details below).

Performance Dates: Friday, Dec. 15 through Saturday, Dec. 23 (details below.) All performance dates are mandatory.

Performance Location: Indian Creek School, 1130 Anne Chambers Way, Crownsville, MD.

Below are additional details about registering for an audition, what to prepare, the time commitment required and our show dates and times.

Audition Details

• Annual Administration Fee: A $5 annual administration fee is due at the time of the audition.
• Forms: Once you register for your audition, we will email you some important forms that should be completed in advance of your audition. You will bring the forms with you.
• What to Bring and What to Prepare:
  • Auditioners should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled audition time, with completed forms, a head shot or recent photo, and a complete list of any conflicts from September 24 through December 23 that would prevent you from attending a rehearsal. Examples of conflicts are dance classes, voice lessons, sports practices and games, work schedules, school trips, school concerts, church, school admission testing dates and open houses, family commitments, camps, and vacations that cannot be changed. You are expected to be available for rehearsals on any of the dates not listed.
  • Come prepared to sing approximately 16 measures of a song that shows your vocal range with pre-recorded music on a tape, CD or digital recording (phone, computer or other electronic device). It should be karaoke-style (no words), cued to where you want to start to sing. We prefer that you not sing a capella.
  • Auditioners should wear attire appropriate for movement and dance. Dance shoes, character shoes and sneakers are acceptable. No open-toed shoes, flip flops or bare feet are allowed.

Time Commitment

• Cast Members: Participation in a Talent Machine production is a major commitment. Be sure that you are prepared to commit to all rehearsals and mandatory dates before you audition.
• Parents: There is also a significant time commitment required of parents. The Talent Machine Company is an all-volunteer organization. We rely on parents to provide much-needed support to make each production a success. A parent of each cast member is required to:
  • Attend two mandatory meetings per production.
  • Attend costume parades.
  • Volunteer their time to support the production through one of the many committees, including costumes, props, stage crew, publicity, set construction, etc. Committee chairs are always  needed! Instruction manuals and support are provided to these chairpersons to guide you through the process. Please consider stepping up to chair a committee.
  • Ensure that their cast member arrives to rehearsal prepared.
  • Provide costume support for their cast member as determined by the costume committee.

Rehearsal, Tech Week and Show Date/Time Details

• Rehearsals:
  • Rehearsals will be on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. We will be looking very closely at all conflicts; these may have an impact on casting.
  • All tech rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
• Tech Week: Below are the times that we will be in the theater, rehearsing, setting up tech and sets. Exact rehearsal times are to be determined.
  • Friday, Dec. 8 from 5 to 9 pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 am to 11 pm
  • Sunday, Dec. 10 from 9 am to 11 pm
  • Monday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 11 pm
  • Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 11 pm
  • Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 4 to 11 pm
  • Thursday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 11 pm
• Performance Dates:
  • Friday, Dec. 15 (5 pm call time; 7 pm show)
  • Saturday, Dec. 16 (noon call time, 2 pm and 7 pm shows)
  • Sunday, Dec. 17 (noon call time, 2 pm and 6:30 pm shows)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 20 (5 pm call time, 7 pm show)
  • Thursday, Dec. 21 (5 pm call time, 7 pm show)
  • Friday, Dec. 22 (5 pm call time, 7 pm show)
  • Saturday, Dec. 23 (noon call time, 2 pm show)

NOTE: Cast families are expected to be available after the closing performance to assist with collecting costumers, props, set tear-down and general clean-up.

If you have any questions, please email Judy Curbelo at holidayshow@TalentMachine.com.