
Auditions
Auditions for Once Upon a Mattress and Heathers are now open from HEA’s 2025 season! Read more about each show and the audition process below!
Submit your audition form by September 8th
Send in the required self-tapes for the role(s) you are auditioning for by September 8th. You will find what song you need to sing for each role you are auditioning for on the show audition page. For your self tapes, please upload your videos as unlisted on youtube and share the link(s) to auditions@heaproductions.nl. PRO TIP: THE EARLIER YOU SUBMIT YOUR VIDEOS THE BETTER!
You’ll hear back by September 15th if you are invited to callbacks and informed which time slot(s) your callbacks will take place.
Dance callbacks for both shows will take place October 5th from 10:00-13:00. Vocal and scene callbacks will then be scheduled for both shows depending on auditioner availability for the remainder of the day on October 5th and the afternoon and evening of October 6th. Heathers vocal callbacks will take place October 8th from 19:00-22:00.
You’ll be informed by October 13th if you have been cast in either show (or both!)
Audition Process
Once Upon A Mattress
Performing March 20-23 & 27-30, 2025 | Het Amsterdams Theaterhuis
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.
Heathers
Performing June 26-29th, July 3-6th, and July 10th-13th | Het Amsterdams Theaterhuis
Heathers The Musical is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass...but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.
Different from previous years, we are introducing a more formal process for 2025 to ensure the success of each show without burning out volunteers. For each show, we will be asking each cast member to indicate which committees they have the skills to join, and will assign a committee to each cast member to contribute to the show’s success.
Show committees
Committees will include front of house, makeup & hair, costume assistance, flyering, props, set build up, set tear down, social media, and photography. Even if you don’t have skills in hair and makeup for example, you can easily be on the flyering committee to volunteer some extra time distributing and handing out flyers to help sell tickets for the show.
Audition FAQ’s
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YES! Please audition for all of our shows for the year that you are interested in. There will be very few conflicts between them, despite some overlapping rehearsal schedules.
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Fill in the form. Please include your full name as you would like it on a program. Include any major holidays or conflicts that you know you have. Look at the character descriptions on the website and select which shows and roles you would like to be considered for.
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YES! We rarely precast our productions, and when we do we will only hold auditions for the understudy. Actors who have worked with us in the past, whether it be a production or a bootcamp, may have a better chance at being cast if they have shown a history of hard work, dedication, talent and are in general an asset to the team.
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An understudy is an actor who is prepared to perform the role of another actor if that actor is unable to perform. Understudies are crucial for ensuring that the show can go on without interruption, maintaining the continuity and quality of the performance. In HEA shows, an understudy is always guaranteed at least one performance.
Double casting is when two people are cast in the same role and split the shows evenly. This may be done due to a particularly demanding role or to provide more opportunities to play a role. It is expected for someone who is double cast to be able to step in for an additional show if their counterpart is unable to perform for any reason.
Both cases help ensure that a show can go on in the case of illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. The financial impact of cancelling a show due to an actor being unable to perform is massive for any theatre group, so we need to take steps to ensure this doesn't happen.
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YES! We always need help behind the scenes, and if you want to be involved in a specific production, we will figure out where you fit. If you are only interested in performing, we encourage you to sign up for one of our Musical Theater Bootcamps! This will help you practice your skills, enjoy the process of putting on a production, and give you a chance to play a role without the pressure of a full scale production.
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The team of each production will decide together for the most part, but the final decision is that of the director. The casting team consists of the director, vocal coach, band director, and choreographers of each production. The level of influence directly correlates with the demands of each show.
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Absolutely! Ability to pay has no influence on casting decisions. If you are unable to pay the contribution, we will find other ways for you to contribute to the production.
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Amateur theater is expensive to produce, while maintaining the quality. The cost of sets, costumes, rehearsal space, theater rentals, rights to productions, sound equipment, lighting equipment, programs, posters, stipends for professionals working on the productions, etc. far exceeds the average amount that ticket sales alone can cover. We do not get funding and every production carries a huge financial risk, and the actors contribution helps us offset some of the upfront costs.
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Cast members need to commit to selling tickets because it significantly boosts audience attendance, which is essential for the financial health and success of the production. By leveraging their personal networks, cast members can reach a wider audience, ensuring that costs are covered and the theatre can plan future shows. This personal investment also builds community support, creates a vibrant atmosphere for performances, and generates authentic buzz and excitement.
Cast members inviting audience is the number one seller of tickets, and crucial to ensure the success of a show.
Basic Acting and Audition Class
With Elyse O’Shaughnessey
Date: August 31, 2024
Time: 11:00 - 13:00
Location: Theater de Cameleon
Need help feeling more confident with your next self-tape?
Join this fun acting basics and audition feedback class. We will go over easy ways to get in the body and mind set of your character. This way you can be prepared for any audition in the most efficient way.
Class Breakdown
11:00 - 12:00 Basics in acting
12:00 - 13:00 Be prepared to show your audition song and you’ll get individual feedback.
Cost: 40 EUR excl. VAT