| Auditions 2024

Now accepting 2024 audition applications

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Union Avenue Opera’s 2024 Festival Season.

Bizet – Carmen
July 5, 6, 12, 13

Presented in French
Rehearsals begin June 17
2-3 chorus music rehearsals late May-June. Dates TBD
Roles Available: all, except Carmen
Youth chorus auditions will be held in the spring.

Verdi –Aida: In Concert
July 26, 28(m), August 3

Presented in Italian.
Rehearsals begin July 18
5-6 chorus music rehearsals starting late May-July. Dates TBD
Roles Available: all, except Aida and Amneris 

Sondheim – Into the Woods
August 16, 17, 23, 24

Presented in English.
Rehearsals begin July 29
Roles Available: All

Union Avenue Opera only considers LOCAL artists for CHORUS and YOUTH positions. 

The audition application is available through YAPTracker.com If you are not a member of YAP, you can create a free guest account by clicking “register” in the upper right, and then selecting “register” again in the grey box.

Union Avenue Opera – Auditions 2024 Season (yaptracker.com)

No audition will be granted without submission of an online application.

AUDITION DATES/LOCATIONS

New York City Audition Dates:
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (10a-6p)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 (11a-7p)
Friday, January 26, 2024 (10a-6p)

St. Louis Audition Dates:
Friday, February 2, 2024 (11a-7p)
Saturday, February 3, 2024 (10a-6p)

At this time UAO is not accepting audio/video/zoom submissions in lieu of an in-person, live audition. If selected, audition must take place at one of the scheduled audition locations. UAO does not schedule auditions outside of scheduled audition dates.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

January 5, 2024

Applications will be reviewed, and auditions granted, on a rolling basis however it may take several weeks to notify artists of status. There is no guarantee auditions times will be available at time of posted deadline. Once all times are assigned, UAO will place interested applicants on a waitlist.

The application process is free. However, if you are selected to receive a live audition, there is a nonrefundable/nontransferable audition fee ($40 NYC; $15 STL; STL fee waved for artists residing within 60 miles of UAO) to be paid within 5 business days. There is no additional fee for a pianist which will be provided at all locations.  

As an Equal Opportunity Employer UAO celebrates diversity and inclusion. UAO is committed to diversity in our casting to reflect the diversity of our St. Louis community. We encourage performers, directors, conductors, designers, and technicians of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities, and ages. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

OPPORTUNITY NOTES:

  • UAO only considers artists for the current season and not future consideration. Applicants are encouraged to consider the season’s repertoire before submitting an application.
  •  Artist must either be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work in the U.S. through the end of September 2024. UAO will not pursue work permissions on artist’s behalf. 
  • All roles are open for consideration with the exception of Carmen in Carmen, and Aida, and Amneris in Aida.
  • All applicants for January and February audition dates must be 18 or older.
  • All positions are compensated. UAO only provides housing to out of town participants and does not provide housing to spouses/partners, children, other relatives and/or pets. Please also note that housing can be several miles from our facility. If possible, having a car for the duration of your contract is ideal but not a requirement. Out of town artists receive a small stipend for travel, but are responsible for their own transportation to, from and around St. Louis. Artists without transportation will be placed within “walking distance” (up to 2 miles), on a public transportation route, or in shared housing with another artist. UAO is not responsible for artist transportation while on contract.
  • Union Avenue Opera only considers local artists for chorus and youth positions. All positions are paid however housing is not provided for chorus or youth artists; therefore, artists must reside in or around STL during the production period and be available for music rehearsals in late May/early June (TBD).
  • Union Avenue Opera does not hire covers.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

All artists are required to bring a hardcopy resume, headshot, and rep list. The rep list does not need to be submitted in advance and should consist of the following:

Artists should present selection(s) from the role(s) for which they wish to be considered, if a role does not have an aria, choose a selection that is representative of the style/composer/language. UAO presents all operas in their original language and artists should present selections in their original language as well. Artist will pick the opening selection; the Artistic Director will pick and subsequent selection from the rep list. UAO does not guarantee the artist more than one selection at the time of audition.  

  • Artists auditioning for Principal and Comprimario roles should prepare five (5) arias including at least one (1) selection from the opera(s) you wish to be considered and one (1) selection in English. 
  • Artists auditioning for Into the Woods ONLY should prepare three (3) selections including at least one (1) selection from the production.
  • Artists auditioning for Chorus ONLY should prepare three (3) arias including one (1) selection in either French or Italian.

UAO does not allow a cappella selections or pre-recorded accompaniment tracks. 

Audition fees must be paid in advance. **If you are granted an audition, you must pay the audition fee ($40 NYC; $15 STL; fee waived for artists residing with in 60 miles of UAO) within 5 days of confirmation or your audition may be forfeited.** . Audition times will be uploaded into YAP no later than 3 weeks prior to the audition dates. However, no time will be uploaded without payment of the audition fee.

AGENT SUBMISSIONS:

Agents wishing to submit artist(s) should complete the 2024 Agent Submission Form. Individual artists represented by agents, must submit through YAP.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Furthermore, Artists currently enrolled in an undergraduate program within 60 miles of Union Avenue Opera will not be granted an audition without completion of at least two years of Union Avenue Opera’s FREE University Artists Outreach program, CRESCENDO. For more information on this free opportunity please visit www.unionavenueopera.org/crescendo/

UAO will notify all artists/agents after auditions are complete and casting decisions made (typically late March). Please do not call the office inquiring feedback or results.

QUESTIONS?

Email [email protected]
Please no phone calls.