The Port Arthur Little Theatre's auditions are open to everyone, and no parts are cast ahead of time. To find out when an audition will be held, check out our season schedule; auditions are usually held one to three months before the opening, depending on the complexity of the production. Online you can check our News Updates and Footlights Newsletter pages for announcements. PALT also sends its audition notices to the entertainment sections of local newspapers. If you can't find the information you need, you can call our reservation line at 724-1840 to find out how to reach the director.

Directors will not expect you to have a performance piece prepared for a non-musical play. Most auditions are conducted by reading scenes from the play's script. Actors who want to become familiar with a script in advance can check with the director or with the local library to see if a copy is available.

If you're interested in auditioning for a musical, it doesn't hurt to come prepared with a verse or two of a song from the show, but the musical director will often teach a piece of the music at the audition. Not all roles require solo singing, and you can request a chorus or non-singing role if you prefer.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get the part you'd like the first or second time out. Join the chorus, work backstage or offer your assistance at rehearsals. The better directors get to know you and what you have to offer, the easier it becomes to audition for more roles.

Each winter or early spring the Port Arthur Little Theatre issues a call for prospective directors for the new season. Anyone who is interested may submit their name to the play selection committee for consideration. All slots are open except for the opening musical production of the season, which is the "Town and Gown" production with Lamar State College-Port Arthur and is directed by a college faculty member. A typical season includes two musicals and at least one comedy and one drama. Two dinner theater productions outside the regular season will also be presented. These are almost always comedies and may be of more adult content than the selections for the main stage.

If you are interested in directing, you may submit the names of plays (usually up to three titles) you would like to have considered. You may also indicate whether you would consider directing a different play. If you would like to direct but not sure what plays would be good choices, you can contact the theater's librarian or check out the plays at the local public library for ideas.

You can check the News Updates and Footlights Newsletter pages to see if PALT has begun seeking directors for the new season, or you can call 724-1840 for information.

The play selection committee will review prospective directors' submissions and put together a proposed slate of productions for the new season. The proposal must then be approved by the board of directors. The committee's choices will be guided by considerations such as the type of play and how it fits into the slate as a whole, its availability, its appropriateness for community theater, the prospective director's level of experience and availability at certain times of the season and the success of directors who have worked with PALT previously.

People who are interested in directing but who have no experience may ask to be paired with a season director to serve as assistant director. Similarly, a brand new director may ask if someone who already has directing experience is available to serve as an assistant.