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:

Play Festival 2026 By video - due April 15
Shrek(Ages 6+) May 5 & 7, Callbacks May 10

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:

Play Festival 2026

Registration & video deadline:

April 15, 2026

Questions? Never hesitate to contact us info@powerhousenh.org

About the show

May 30 & 31 at Prescott Farm

The 2026 Play Festival will once again be on the beautiful grounds of Prescott Farm! Plays written by NH writers of all levels of experience in Powerhouse’s popular playwriting workshop, will be produced, acted, and directed by theatre people from all over the state. Come be part of these world premieres. See play summaries and character descriptions using the links provided. These are short plays with minimal staging and are a great way to scratch the theatre itch or try something different with a smaller time commitment than our larger-scale productions.

Rehearsals will begin May 4 and each team will work out their own rehearsal schedule - please put conflicts in the registration form!  These plays will be fully memorized and performed in costume. Most roles are for actors 18-80!

What to prepare

Upload a self tape of 2-4 sides. There will be a place to upload videos on the registration page. See play summaries and character descriptions using the link. Deadline for submissions is April 15.

AUDITION FOR:

SHREK

Director Bryan Halperin
Vocal Director: Alex Hunton
Choreographer: Meg King
Stage Manger: Emma Molloy

Tuesday 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Powerhouse accepts video submissions for those who cannot attend in person, but in person is always preferred when possible.

  • 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!

  • Rehearsals can run from 6-10 weeks depending on the show.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.