Paines Plough Open Auditions
Tuesday 20 May
11am-5pm at the Belgrade, Coventry

Paines Plough are running another round of Open Auditions at our new home at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.

We’re looking to meet actors currently based in the West Midlands, and previously unknown to Paines Plough, with a passion for new writing.

Auditions will be friendly and informal; a chance to meet representatives from a range of West Midlands venues and ask any questions you might have about our work. We can meet you in pairs or on your own.

At this round of Open Auditions, we are particularly interested in meeting Trans and Non-Binary actors, and will be reserving a number of slots for artists who identify as Trans or Non-Binary.

Auditionees will be meeting:

• Charlotte Bennett – Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough
• Katie Posner – Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough
• Jay Zorenti-Nakhid – Associate Director at the Belgrade, Coventry
• Madeleine Kludjev – Deputy Artistic Director at Birmingham Rep
• Anna Himali Howard – New Work Manager at Birmingham Hippodrome
• Beccy D’Souza – Artist Development Producer at Nottingham Playhouse

Sound good? This is how to apply:

• Decide if you’ll be auditioning alone or in a pair. If in a pair, find yourself a partner, and make sure you include both of your names when signing up. Make sure one person applies on behalf of the pair, as any duplicates (even if it’s with different partners) will be automatically excluded.
• Fill out an application form by Midday, Monday 5th May. If you’re auditioning as a pair, please fill out one form for both of you and include both of your names on the form.
• Please include any access requirements you have in the form. If it would be easier to communicate these in a different way, please email hannah@painesplough.com.
• We will use a random selection process to allocate audition slots, and then to select a waiting list. We will reserve a number of slots for those who face barriers to the arts, which will also be randomly allocated.
• At this round of Open Auditions we are particularly interested in meeting Trans and Non-Binary actors, and will be reserving a number of slots for Trans and Non-Binary artists. If there’s anything we can do to make the application or audition process more comfortable for you, do let us know.
• You will hear from us whatever the outcome by the end of the day on Monday 12 May. If you’re not selected to audition this time, we may keep you on a waiting list and may offer you an audition if a slot becomes available.
• Once your slot is confirmed, please prepare a three-minute monologue or duologue from a play written in the last 15 years. This is because we are a new writing company, and are really keen to see how you engage with contemporary writing.
• If you have any access needs, or if there’s anything that would make attending auditions easier for you, please contact hannah@painesplough.com.

Please click here to fill out the application form for our West Midlands Open Auditions.

Some things to bear in mind:

• If you have auditioned for Paines Plough before (either at an Open Audition or as part of casting for a specific show), unfortunately we won’t be able to see you this time round.
• These auditions are just for actors who currently live in the West Midlands. If you’re not currently based in the area, do keep an eye on our newsletter for opportunities where you are.
• To give everyone a fair shot, agent or not, we only accept applications from individual actors so – even if you have an agent – please apply using your own email address.
• At this round of auditions we will only be able to see actors who are aged 18 and over.
• Places are all allocated in advance. Due to high demand we can’t accommodate requests for a different time, and we will be unable to see people on a walk-up basis.
• If for any reason you can’t make your audition please let us know as soon as possible, by emailing hannah@painesplough.com. If you don’t turn up to your audition without letting us know in advance, you won’t be able to apply for future Paines Plough Open Auditions.
• We unfortunately won’t be able to offer feedback after auditions, but there will be an opportunity to ask questions during your slot.
• We aren’t casting for a particular show at the moment – we just want to meet some new actors so that we can bear you in mind for future productions and workshops in the West Midlands, and on tour.
• Don’t worry if you don’t get a slot this time, there will be more chances to attend Open Auditions. Sign up to our mailing list at this link, and check the ‘Open Auditions’ box for updates.

Check out our FAQs at this link for more information about the application process and what to expect on the day, or ping us an email at hannah@painesplough.com if you’re not sure about anything.

Hope to see you there!

Click here to fill out the application form for our West Midlands Open Auditions.