Callboard: Get Involved

The Callboard is the student hub for auditions, production labs, and rehearsal spaces. Check here throughout the academic year for important dates, forms, and course details.

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Class Auditions & Interviews

Fall 2024 auditions for acting classes and interviews for select theater classes will be held during the first meeting of each respective class in August. Students may sign up for an audition or interview slot on this page starting two weeks before classes begin. See below for general audition and interview guidelines.

Audition & Interview Guidelines

Audition Guidelines for Acting Classes

Courses Requiring Auditions:

  • Theater 10 — Fundamentals of Acting I
  • Theater 109 — Fundamentals of Acting II
  • Theater 110A — Intermediate Acting: Scene Study & Style
  • Theater 110B — Intermediate Acting: The Power of Language
  • Theater 111 — Advanced Acting Studio

Audition Guidelines:

Students will not be able to enroll in these acting courses before the beginning of the semester. Instead, starting two weeks before classes begin, students must sign up via the TDPS Callboard for auditions which will be held at the beginning of the semester.

Auditions are generally held during the first class meeting of the semester, but students should confirm times and locations on the audition sign-up form.

Prerequisites:

Theater 109 requires at least one semester of college-level acting training (or equivalent experience) and each subsequent course in the series requires an additional semester of college-level training or experience. If you don't know which acting level is appropriate, you may sign up for more than one audition.

Audition Preparation:

  • For Theater 10: Prepare a one-minute speech from a play, film script, or a selection of prose. Memorization of the piece is strongly encouraged.
  • For Theater 109, 110A, 110B, and 111: Prepare a one-minute monologue from a play. Memorization of the piece is required for these courses.

Enrollment:

After auditions, class rosters will be posted on the TDPS Callboard. If you are accepted into a course, the instructor will give you the permission number needed for enrollment and you must then add the course. No one will be considered for these courses without an audition.

Audition FAQ for Acting Classes

How long should my monologue be?

One minute maximum. Be sure to time your piece—if you go over during the audition, you may be asked to stop.

Do I need to memorize my monologue?

You have a much better chance of getting into Theater 10 if you memorize your monologue. Memorization is required for Theater 109 and beyond.

Any tips for selecting my monologue?

  • Look for a speech from a play. Passages from other forms of literature, including poems, are usually not as strong. 
  • It is usually best for beginners to stick to contemporary pieces—generally pieces written after 1940.
  • Choose something you can relate to—probably in your general age range.

What are your tips for performing the monologue?

  • Remember to breathe.
  • Avoid accents.
  • Speak loudly and clearly enough for us to hear you.
  • Imagine whomever you are speaking to is standing or sitting in front of you and speak to that imaginary person.

How early should I arrive to my audition appointment?

If possible, please come 10 minutes before your appointed time in case we are running early. It will also give you a moment to fill out the audition form if you were unable to complete it beforehand.

Can I skip a course in the acting sequence?

In general, it is recommended that you do the entire acting sequence in order once you arrive at UC Berkeley.

If you are trying to skip 10 and go into 109, you should have at least one semester of college-level acting training or equivalent acting experience. Your monologue will have to reveal that training and experience to help you gain access to the class. 

If you are trying to skip 10 or 109 or 110A and go into 110B in the spring, you should have at least three semesters of college-level acting training and voice training or equivalent acting experience. Your monologue will have to reveal that training and experience to help you gain access to the class.

What if I am a transfer student?

Transfer students are encouraged to begin their training at the appropriate level based on their studies in community college. It is recommended that you do the entire acting sequence in order once you arrive at UC Berkeley, unless you've had two or more semesters of college-level acting training in community college or equivalent acting experience.

When is the intermediate sequence taught?

Theater 110A is taught each fall; Theater 110B is taught each spring.

Do I need to perform a classical monologue for my 110A audition?

If you have taken Theater 10 or 109, you may use your contemporary monologues from those classes. You are not required to use heightened language or classical monologues.

What is the ratio of people who audition and people who are admitted?

It varies greatly from semester to semester. Often many more students audition than we have space for, so placing everyone is not guaranteed.

What if I don't get in to my preferred class?

Due to the large number of students who audition, it is not possible to get individual feedback from instructors holding the auditions. We strongly encourage you to try again the next semester.

Don't think of this as a wasted semester of training. Get involved in other TDPS classes that have a performance component. Audition for a TDPS workshop or production. Contact the film department for student film opportunities, or audition for an on-campus production sponsored by one of many student-run performance groups.

If you would like to gain more experience off the UC Berkeley campus, organizations like Theatre Bay Area offer audition preparation workshops, and many schools around the Bay Area offer theater classes. For an extensive list, please see the undergraduate advisor in 15 Dwinelle Hall.

Interview Guidelines for Theater Classes

Courses Requiring Interviews:

  • Theater 105: Movement for Actors
  • Theater 112: Voice & Speech
  • Theater 162: Fundamentals of Stage Directing
  • Theater 163: Stage Directing

Interview Guidelines:

All interested students must attend the first class meeting to be interviewed by the instructor for admission into the courses listed above. For class schedules, visit classes.berkeley.edu

Please be prepared to talk about your interest in the course and any relevant experience you have. Selected students will be given the Permission Numbers needed for enrollment.

Accommodation Policy

All UC Berkeley students are invited to audition or interview for TDPS courses. If a disability-related accommodation is needed for a class audition, please contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor (tdpsugadvisor@berkeley.edu) at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

For students in DSP, please contact your DSP specialist well in advance of the audition so there is time for the accommodation process and notify the department to make arrangements. Please ask DSP to also send disability accommodation notices for auditions to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

Please note that some audition spaces are not readily accessible for those with mobility impairments. With advance notice, we are happy to make arrangements for an alternate venue.


Productions & Workshops

Performing in TDPS

  • Each semester TDPS produces three to six performance works comprised of plays, dance concerts or showcases, and student-directed workshops.
  • While auditions are open to all UC Berkeley students, TDPS productions are curricular, and those cast must enroll in courses to receive credit commensurate with the time spent in preparation, rehearsal, and performance. 
  • Expectations, evaluative criteria, and grading standards are outlined below in Participant Rights & Responsibilities, and Sample Performance Syllabi.
  • Auditions for productions and workshops take place within the first few weeks of each semester. Sign-up forms will be posted here at least two weeks prior to the audition date. Callback and casting results will be posted below following the auditions. 

Casting & Course Guidelines

Casting Policies

  1. The Department is committed to educating Berkeley students in the artistic range of performance. For this reason, it is our policy to restrict casting to UC Berkeley students. Directors and Choreographers must receive prior approval from the Department Chair in order to cast from outside of the UC Berkeley student pool. To ensure fairness across the season, this request must be made as part of the initial proposal to the Department's Season Planning Committee, and must be made for all theater and dance productions. In rare instances, an emergency (illness, death in the family, injury) might result in the loss of a cast member, and the substitution of a non-student performer; in such cases, appropriate measures will be taken through consultation between the responsible Director/Choreographer, the Production Manager, the Chair of the Season Planning Committee, and the Department Chair.

  2. All cast members are required to enroll in units of the corresponding course for the production, commensurate with the time spent in rehearsals and performances; typically 2–4 units. Students with extenuating circumstances may petition for reduced unit enrollment through the Undergraduate Advisor. When necessary, credits may be undertaken through UC Extension. Professional guest artists (for example, faculty acting in the production, etc.) are not required to enroll. The maximum number of units available to participants will be determined by the Department, based on the production and level of participation.

  3. Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies majors may have a casting advantage because of familiarity with previous experience and training, but it should be understood that it is a competitive audition process, open to all UC Berkeley students.

  4. For the purposes of our casting policy, students from the following programs, with whom UC Berkeley has cross-registration programs, will be considered UC Berkeley Students:

    Cal State University, East Bay; Mills College; San Francisco State University; Sonoma State University; Holy Names University; John F Kennedy University; and Dominican University of California.

  5. While UC Extension students are able to enroll in TDPS courses associated with performance, the Fall Program for First Semester (FPF) does not allow students to enroll in elective courses, and therefore students of the program are ineligible for participation in production.

Participant Rights & Responsibilities

Production participation is a privilege, which carries responsibilities. Directors, choreographers, actors, dancers, designers, playwrights, and technicians unite for a finite rehearsal and performance period in order to create a performance work. A production’s success relies on the commitment of all involved. Once a cast, design team, collaborators, and crew have been selected, the absence of any team member is detrimental to the project. Such absences are unprofessional and unacceptable.


Responsibilities for Director/Choreographer

  1. Adhere to schedules for auditions, rehearsals, and performances as determined by the Production Manager.

  2. Maintain primary concern for the safety of the cast and crew.

  3. Ensure that students are registered for the corresponding course and for timely submission of final grades. Student Directors/Choreographers should work with faculty advisors related to enrollment and grading.


Responsibilities for Performers

Before you audition, learn all you can about the production:

  • Read the script and learn about the Director/Choreographer and what they have in mind for the production.

  • Confirm your availability for rehearsals and performances by reviewing published schedules, available on the Callboard and at auditions. Can you make the necessary time commitment? Do you have academic conflicts with required attendance dates?

  • Unless a student makes a written request of the Director or Choreographer at the time of the audition, it is assumed that the student will eagerly accept any role or assignment they are offered. Ensure you are clear about your availability and any conditions you are placing upon your audition because:

    1. Acceptance of a role in a TDPS production requires the participation in ALL scheduled rehearsals, photo shoots, designer appointments, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances and strike associated with the production.

    2. Participants must enroll in a corresponding course for units commensurate with time spent in preparation, rehearsal and performance.

    3. Declining an offered role without having made extenuating conditions known at the time of the audition forfeits the opportunity to perform in a TDPS production for the remainder of the semester and/or subsequent semesters, as determined by the Chair.

    4. A student who drops out of a production after having been cast is likewise ineligible for further casting that semester and/or subsequent semesters as determined by the Chair.

    5. Director/Choreographer will report violations (per #3 and #4) to the Chair in writing.

Grounds for Dismissal

A performer may be dismissed from a production for:

  • Unexcused absence or tardiness from any rehearsal or performance.
  • Inappropriate behavior as further outlined in course syllabi.
  • Failure to meet appointments with Designers/Directors or other Production staff.

The only excused absences from rehearsal or performance are:

  • Serious illness/accident.
  • Death in the family.
  • Natural disasters.

Mechanism for Dismissal of Cast and Crew

Any student who has shown cause for dismissal may be dismissed from the show. In some cases, particularly those involving unexcused absence, the student may be dismissed immediately by the relevant supervisor (Director, Choreographer, or Production Manager); in other cases, the supervisor may give one warning (written or verbal), with the understanding that a second offense will result in immediate dismissal. In all cases, the Department Chair will be immediately notified of the offense and reserves the right to dismiss a student from a production upon written recommendation from the appropriate supervisor. Students dismissed from a production will receive a failing grade in the relevant course and will not be eligible for casting in a TDPS production for that semester and/or subsequent semester(s) as determined by the Chair.

Sample Performance Syllabi

TDPS productions are curricular, often the culmination of advanced coursework within the department. In addition to department policies and posted Performer Responsibilities, course syllabi contain expectations, evaluative criteria, and grading standards for participants. Theater 180 and 181 for Berkeley Dance Project, Playhouse and Studio Productions are taken for a letter grade. Theater 171 for Workshops is taken Pass/No Pass. The evaluative criteria are the same for all productions, as is the expectation of perfect attendance.


Overview of Theater 180: Berkeley Dance Project

This class is designed for students who are seriously interested in performing dance on the concert stage. Involvement prepares students to perform in a highly produced dance concert called the Berkeley Dance Project. The course is designed to teach students about the process of dancing for a choreographer. This will involve: participating fully in all rehearsals and all required performances, contributing ideas to the creative process, and being open to choreographic strategies and methods. Students will be cast in up to three separate dance pieces. Each dance piece varies in scope and style depending on the themes and concepts being explored by the individual choreographer. Audition is required.


Overview of Theater 181: Playhouse and Studio Productions

This course operates as a large, complex performance lab, providing academic credit for performers and other specified participants in theatrical events produced by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Participants must enroll in at least one unit, and up to four units of 181, depending upon level of involvement and/or student preference, or as prescribed by the instructor of record. All course activities occur within a finite schedule, generally spanning eight weeks within a semester, culminating in ticketed public performances. This course may be taken multiple times for credit and may fulfill major and minor requirements.


Schedule:

This course meets according to the established rehearsal scheduled for a given production. Refer to the Master Calendar for your production available on the TDPS Callboard and provided by your Stage Manager. Note that specific call times on indicated rehearsal and performance dates will be set on a weekly or daily basis and will be communicated to you by the Stage Manager or Production Manager.


Attendance:

This is a course that requires full participation. Because sessions are part of the creative process, there is no way to make them up. Missing even one session to which you are called will affect the outcome of the work being created. Therefore, a perfect attendance record is the assumption for this course, which means on-time attendance to every rehearsal, and performance call indicated on the Master Calendar for the production, or at least to the calls provided by the Stage Manager for your particular role. Please consider this seriously before deciding to take this class. Perfect attendance is defined as being on time and present for all calls, and being ready to work at the call times. The only excused conflicts/absences are those presented by the student and approved in writing by the instructor prior to completion of callbacks. The only other excused absences from rehearsal or performance are serious illness/accident, death in the family, natural disasters. Students who are ill, or who are seriously injured, and are at risk of missing multiple sessions, must contact the instructors immediately to determine the course of action to be taken. Any students needing accommodation for observance of religious holidays are also responsible for contacting the instructor at the time of auditions.


Course Requirements and Evaluative Criteria:

Grades for this course will be based on evaluation of the factors listed below:

  • Maintaining a mature, responsible, supportive and communicative attitude towards fellow students, staff, faculty, and the project as a whole
  • Coming prepared and ready to work to all scheduled sessions, workshops, rehearsals and performances
  • Working diligently to fulfill the standards and objectives established by the director, whether a student, faculty member, or outside professional
  • Being responsive to student stage managers and staff, which includes checking email and voicemail daily
  • Timely and diligent completion of all assignments, cast responsibilities, off-book deadlines, scheduled costume fittings and required readings
  • Willingness to experience and apply new ideas and approaches, and learn new skills
  • Full participation and attention in discussions and notes sessions
  • Respecting the theatrical process, in rehearsal and performance, and being patient with its intrinsic challenges, including using any downtime in a productive way

Evaluative Procedures:

Theater is by nature a collaborative process. The teacher of record will communicate with production department heads, other faculty, student directors, and staff involved with the production to determine a student’s level of accomplishment, based on the above criteria.


Grading Standards:

Exceptional and committed fulfillment of all the stated requirements; exhibiting a high degree of professionalism throughout the process, and respect for all of its elements and collaborators.

A- Exceptional fulfillment of a majority of the stated requirements, including prompt attendance and meeting all established deadlines.

B+ Solid fulfillment of the stated requirements, with occasional lapses in commitment or professionalism, or a less than perfect record of promptness and readiness to rehearse. Examples might include losing focus in some rehearsals, needing to be given notes more than once, or not using downtime to constructive purpose.

B Satisfactory fulfillment of the stated requirements, and an overall professional attitude. but fairly regular lapses in attention, judgement, or follow-through. Responds well to constructive criticism in most cases, and makes adjustments accordingly. Examples might include students who distract others from the smooth running or rehearsals, or are not ready to rehearse on more than one occasion.

C Students understand what is required of them, but often need to be reminded of their tasks and responsibilities, and/or can obstruct the smooth running of rehearsals or performances. Students don’t respond well to criticism, or only do so when pressed, and /or rarely take initiative beyond their basic tasks. Students may often be late to calls, or not meet off-book deadline.

Students who fail to maintain the standards of a grade of “C” will be dropped from the class and receive no credit.


Rehearsal Absence Policy:

  • 0 absences are allowed — beyond what has been established at the time of youraudition and acceptance of the role.
  • Promptness is required. Being ‘on time’ means being present and ready to work at thedesignated call time. Arriving AT the call time is equivalent to being late.
  • Please refer to the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Performer Responsibilities posted on the Callboard and acknowledged at the time of the audition. If you donot have a copy for yourself, please ask the instructor for a copy.

Performance Absence Policy:

  • 0 absences are allowed
  • Promptness is required
  • Please refer to the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Performer Responsibilities posted on the Callboard and acknowledged at the time of the audition.

Accommodation Policy

All UC Berkeley students are invited to audition for TDPS productions and workshops. If a disability-related accommodation is needed for an audition, please contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor (tdpsugadvisor@berkeley.edu) at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

For students in DSP, please contact your DSP specialist well in advance of the audition so there is time for the accommodation process and notify the department to make arrangements. Please ask DSP to also send disability accommodation notices for auditions to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

Please note that some audition spaces are not readily accessible for those with mobility impairments. With advance notice, we are happy to make arrangements for an alternate venue.

Fall 2024 Auditions for Productions & Workshops

General information about our Fall 2024 productions will be available on this page by the end of April.

Auditions will be held during the first 1–3 weeks of the semester in August/September. Sign-up forms for auditions will be available on this page two weeks before classes begin.


Production Labs & Run Crew

Participating in TDPS productions in a technical capacity generally requires completion of Theater 60: Introduction to Technical Theater and Production. Following the introductory course, additional work may be pursued in Theater 167, 168, and 169. See below for enrollment instructions.

Additional information about production and design courses is available here.

Course Information & Enrollment Instructions

THEATER 167, 168, 169

Theater 168: Technical Theater Shop Practice

Students can enroll directly into Theater 168 via the enrollment system.


Pre-requisite/Co-requisite:

Successful completion of, or concurrent enrollment in Theater 60: Introduction to Technical Theater and Production is required.  Transfer students who received waivers for Theater 60 may need to receive permission numbers to enroll.  If you are unable to enroll, please contact Jamila Cobham, Production Manager, for enrollment assistance: jamilacobham@berkeley.edu


Five lab options will be offered in Spring 2024:

In the enrollment system, search for Theater 168 and select one of the labs listed below based on your availability and interest. Labs begin during the week of February 5th, 2024. 

Scenery Labs:

  • Lab 1 - Scenery Lab - Mondays and Wednesdays - 2-5pm
  • Lab Instructor: Tim Kopra

Lighting Labs:

  • Lab 3 - Lighting/Sound Lab - Wednesdays and Fridays - 2-5pm
  • Lab 4 -  Lighting/Sound Lab - Tuesdays and Thursdays -  2-5pm
  • Lab Instructor: Dio Ramirez

Costume Labs:

  • Lab 5 - Costume Lab - Mondays and Wednesdays - 2-5pm
  • Lab 6 - Costume Lab - Tuesdays and Thursdays -  2-5pm
  • Lab Instructor: Wendy Sparks

Please direct questions to Jamila Cobham, Production Manager: jamilacobham@berkeley.edu


Theater 167: Technical Theater Run Crew and Theater 169: Technical Theater Advanced Practice

Theater 167 and 169 are not listed in the class schedule because they require an individual course number for enrollment. Lab preferences must be submitted in the semester prior to intended enrollment to get onto the course list. Seats may be available at the beginning of the semester for those not on the list, though it is not guaranteed. It is imperative that you read and understand the syllabus and schedule for your intended course. See below for details and links.

Please direct questions to Jamila Cobham, Production Manager: jamilacobham@berkeley.edu


Preference Submission for Theater 167 

Prior to submitting your preference form, please read the syllabus and production schedules linked below under Forms and Schedules.

  • Completion of this preference form will place you onto the waitlist in the order received.
  • Submission of preferences for a course does not guarantee enrollment; seats are limited in each semester.
  • Your submission will be confirmed via an email from the Production Manager. In the email you will receive an individual course permission number for enrollment and your lab assignment.
  • If additional information is required after submitting your preference form, you may be asked to meet with the Production Manager.

Preference Submission for Theater 169

Schedules and shop assignments should be arranged with the lab instructor before completing the preference form. Please email the relevant lab instructors below. 

Once your advanced Technical Theater assignment is approved, please complete the preference form. Once completed your assignment will be confirmed via an email from the Production Manager. In the email you will receive an individual course number for enrollment. 


Forms & Schedules

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Student Rehearsal Space

Regretfully, due to limitations of both staffing and space availability, we cannot make any of our spaces available to student groups or individuals not currently enrolled in TDPS courses.

Requirements for TDPS Studio Use:

  • Anyone currently enrolled in a TDPS class may use Zellerbach Rooms 7, 170, 133, 135, and 413 for course-related work.
  • Dwinelle B30 is only available for students currently enrolled in classes in Durham Studio Theater. B30 should only be used for course-related work.
  • Book a maximum of 1 hour per use to ensure fellow students have access.
  • Abide by all posted Space Use Policies
  • Failure to abide by these policies will result in loss of privileges and other disciplinary actions as warranted.
  • Please do not consume food or beverage inside the studios.
  • Students using studios in Zellerbach must check in with the Stage Door attendant and show their Cal ID upon arrival, and check out with the attendant when finished using the space.

Book Studio Spaces at tdps.skedda.com

  • First time using Skedda? Register an account. 
  • Please use your berkeley.edu account to sign up and not personal email accounts.
  • Only students currently enrolled in a TDPS course may register. Skedda bookings will be audited against class rosters. You must include your TDPS Course number, reason for your booking and the full names of any additional attendees.
  • Students may book available spaces up to seven days in advance.
  • You will be asked to check in via email or the Skedda app to confirm your use of the space. If you do not confirm within 20 minutes of your booking's start time, your booking will be automatically removed and you will need to create a new booking.