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Auditions General Information
The Norwich Players Theatre Company
The Norwich Players Theatre Company (formerly The Norwich Players) is the Maddermarket Theatre’s in-house acting company. We present around eight amateur productions each year on the theatre’s mainstage and in the Emmerson Studio. We occasionally perform elsewhere in the city too.
The Norwich Players have a long history of productions that strove for professional standards – something that we seek to maintain, even though we are now an entirely volunteer-led-and-run theatre.
We stage everything from Shakespeare to new writing, classic dramatic works to contemporary plays, Gothic thrillers to family Christmas plays, and the varied programme means there are opportunities for all tastes and talents to get involved.
Today our productions continue to offer actors the chance to reap the rewards of making ambitious work. We offer the opportunity to develop as an actor and create something to be proud of with like-minded people. This experience is open to everyone and we offer a warm welcome and a supportive environment in which to pursue your passion for acting.
After the official launch of the following year’s Season of Plays (usually in late September), each show’s details and key dates, plus production and casting notes written by the director, will be available HERE.
What is the commitment?
Norwich Players Theatre Company productions rehearse over an 8-9-week period rehearsing in the evening and at the weekend. Rehearsal schedules vary but you might expect to be called 3-4 times per week for the first 6-7 weeks and 4-5 times per week thereafter. Once casting is complete the director will create a rehearsal schedule. Smaller roles may only be required once or twice a week during the early weeks. Main roles may be required at almost all rehearsals.
Evening rehearsals take place on weekdays between 7pm and 10pm. Weekend ones are usually in daytimes. The majority of rehearsals take place at the Maddermarket, either onstage or in the Emmerson Studio. Any other rehearsal sites will be city centre locations.
Mainstage productions typically run for 6 performances. From 2026, shows will perform on Wednesday – Saturday evenings, with matinées on Saturday and Sunday. Studio runs are longer – usually 8 performances. – and the Christmas show has an extended run of 15 performances.
Who can audition?
Anyone. To be in a Norwich Players Theatre Company production there is no membership to join or subscription to pay. Auditions are advertised on our website and on our social media pages and are open to all. Whilst there are a number of actors who choose to audition regularly for our productions, we are always keen to welcome new interest. Each year, around a 100 different actors appear in our productions, about a third of whom are making their Maddermarket debut.
How do auditions work?
Each production will have a slightly different audition process depending on the needs of the play and the approach of the director. They may prefer to see people individually or in groups. Any text used in auditions is usually available in advance.
The following however will always be the case:
- Auditions are held approximately two months before rehearsals begin, to enable actors to plan ahead and prepare themselves for the commitment of being in a production.
- There are usually two rounds of auditioning. The first round is open to all; the second round or ‘call-back’ is the opportunity for the director to invite back actors they are strongly considering casting. They will often want to try out different combinations of actors in order to find the right balance for the play. A number of audition sessions will be offered in the first round.
- Casting decisions will be made promptly with everyone kept informed. Those who are unsuccessful may be offered helpful advice for the future.
Ready to audition?
Check out all the Current Audition Notices, including details on the productions, their key dates, casting and characters HERE
Not an actor?
You can still be involved in our in-house productions because we are always looking for directors, stage managers, lighting operators, stage crew and more. If you’re interested in directing or being part of the production team, email tony.fullwood@maddermarket.org