Special update: Scroll to the bottom of the page for a calendar of upcoming events!
Why go to a conference, convention, or expo?
CCEs are great. You will always learn something useful, meet new and exciting people, and have the opportunity to pick up some useful tools. And then there's the swag at the expos. Some CCEs have job fairs and auditions, and one or two listed below are chiefly auditions, such as UPTA. CCEs help college and university students see what's out there in terms of the various manufacturers of theatre gear, what theatres are out there, and to learn things they might not otherwise learn at their home institutions. Frequently, college and university programs, both undergraduate and graduate, are represented so that prospective students can learn more about the educational opportunities that exist.
The A1 Conference (formerly A1 Auditions)
Acting, Stage Management, Tech, Design, Directing
“The All-in-One Conference (A1 Conference) is an opportunity for actors, stage managers, technical staff, music directors, and more to take workshops and seminars, network with other actors and creatives, and access an abundance of opportunities and resources all in one weekend in NYC.” (http://www.a1auditions.com/about_us.html, 2019 November 4) Some theatres not listed for summer work will audition at A1 for summer work. Many theme parks and cruises also use A1 for their auditions.
Dancing
Regional conferences and national festivals for students, professors, and professionals in dance.
Stage Management
“The Symposium is the largest gathering of Broadway stage managers dedicated to educating people in the art, craft & skills of stage management. Through panels, seminars and lectures, learn what stage managing on Broadway is really like from the professionals who do it every day.” (https://www.broadwaysymposium.com/, 2019 March 25)
Audio-Visual (Sound, Video, Lighting?)
Broadly covering all aspects of Pro-AV, this event is excellent for live entertainment audio-video professionals.
Acting, Dancing, Singing, Fight Call, Technical, Design
Unified auditions for summer outdoor dramas, held in Greensboro, NC.
Acting, Dancing, Singing, Playwriting, Design, Dramaturgy, Directing, Technical
Regional and National theatre festivals for university level performances.
Design & Technical
Held in Las Vegas every year in October or November. This massive event includes not just an expo with world premiers of gear and equipment, but includes the LDInstitute and LDIntensives continuing education series.
Acting, Dancing, Tech., Design, Stage Management
Held at Webster University, St. Louis, MO, every year.
Sound, Musicians
Focused on all aspects of the music industry, NAMM is a valuable show for sound designers, audio engineers, and other audio professionals. Any musicians who are interested in the nuts and bolts of audio production, either live or recorded, would enjoy this event as well.
A mid-week conference largely focused on the business of summer and outdoor theatre production. Presentations range from management and marketing to technology and performance techniques.
Acting. Tech? (As of 2019 November 4, the NETC site indicated they are reviewing the technical application process.)
Auditions for theatres in the New England region, with an average of 40 companies represented, with a variety of contracts, including summer, full-season, and EMC points.
Acting, Singing, Dancing, Tech.
Unified auditions held in California, PA, for Ohio theatres.
Acting, Singing
Unified auditions for Portland, OR, area theatres.
Acting, Technical, Design, Summer Stock, Grad School
Held in a different city each year, this convention brings students and professionals together in all fields of theatre. Networking opportunities are plentiful, especially since every convention also hosts a theatre job fair. Though originally focused on the Southeast, membership in SETC is represented in all but Hawai’i (as of 2019), and draws organizations from all over. Summer stock, undergraduate, and graduate auditions and portfolio reviews are held every year, as well as professional auditions. With workshops, competitions, masterclasses, training seminars, and so much more, this convention is not to be missed.
All Fields
StageSource is a Greater Boston Area and New England organization that has events throughout the year, including Annual Auditions, the Greater Boston Theatre Expo, StageSource Job Fair, and workshops. While all the focus is on the Greater Boston area and New England, there are many companies represented.
Acting
Annual auditions in New York City, likely in March. See their Past Companies list to see who has cast from these auditions before. Keep in mind there are some pretty strict rules, much like A1.
Theatre Communications Group's annual conference.
Acting, Dancing, Technical, Graduating Students
Held in Memphis, TN, in February every year, companies from Alaska to Florida and many places in between come to audition for shows. Auditions for both acting and dancing are held 4 of the 5 days, with only one day being for technical and artistic interviews.
Acting, Technical, Summer Stock, Grad School
Held in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago every year in January or February, URTAs are mainly auditions for grad school, but there are companies that also watch the auditions.
Technical, Design
Often just referred to by the organization name (USITT), the conference and expo provides university students and professionals with excellent networking opportunities, educational seminars, and great competition. Network on the Expo floor, learn about grad school opportunities, see some of the latest gear, and of course pick up some swag. Learn about new techniques on the tech side, and find new ideas that might benefit your program, your house, or yourself. Compete with other university students and professionals in the Tech Olympics and, if you're good and plan ahead, in the Theatre Design Competition.
Dance
Two week dance festival in Vail, CO. Includes many performances, Master Classes at the festival Fringe, and so much more.
At Prince William Sound College, Valdez, Alaska. "The Valdez Last Frontier Theatre Conference strives to create an educational experience for playwrights, actors, directors, and theatre enthusiasts that enriches participants’ minds and inspires their souls. Participants are completely immersed in the theatre arts for eight days, with a blend of performances, developmental readings, classes, and social events." (http://www.theatreconference.org/about/our-mission/, 2018 February 26)