Audition for Wolf Trap Opera

• Filene Artists (singers)
• Studio Artists (singers)
• Fellows (coaches and directors)
• Apprentices (administrators, stage managers, technical personnel) – Please note: The application process for the apprenticeship program is not part of the fall audition tour but takes place during the winter.

Season Repertoire
Each season’s repertoire is selected in late autumn, based on the artists heard in the annual tour.

Season Dates
We do not set exact dates until we hear auditions, decide on repertoire, and embark on casting. Rehearsals will begin in mid/late May, and performances may last through the third week of August.

• Not all Filene Artists are required to be present for the entire season, but you should only apply if you are available for at least two months of this mid-May to mid-August time frame.
• Studio Artists, Fellows and Apprentices are required to be in residence for the entire season. Please note any conflicts within the overall time frame on your application form.

Eligibility
You must either be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work in the United States through the end of August 2026. Wolf Trap Opera cannot sponsor visas.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

NEW PLATFORM FOR APPLICATIONS BEGINNING THIS YEAR! 
Wolf Trap Opera is partnering with Stagetime + Acceptd to launch a simpler, more structured audition process for the upcoming season. This change was made to lower the first barrier to entry — the application process — and to support equitable access as part of broader efforts in equitable casting.

HOW IT WORKS

• Submit a short application to Wolf Trap Opera through Acceptd
• Link your Stagetime profile as the core of your submission
• You can use Stagetime to populate all Acceptd applications – no more filling out the same information for multiple applications!
• Keep your materials up to date so they are ready to share beyond only one audition
• There is no fee to use either platform

ALL APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

• Please only apply for either the Filene Artist OR the Studio Artists tier of the Company. If we feel you are more competitive for a different tier, we will notify you.
• Fees: The application process is free. If you are selected to receive an audition, you must confirm your appointment by submitting the pianist fee ($45 for Filene Artists / $25 for Studio Artists). If you choose to bring a pianist with you, WTO will waive the fee. There is no pianist fee for Coaching or Directing Fellows.
• Materials: Required materials for all artists include a headshot & résumé; Studio Artist applicants MUST submit a link to an unedited, live video recording.

TIMELINE

• Initial Notification: Approximately 3 weeks before the requested audition date you will be notified by email as to whether or not you have been scheduled for an audition. If you do not hear from us, and it is 3 weeks before your requested date, contact us at opera@wolftrap.org or 571.307.4672.
• Confirmation: If you receive an invitation to audition, you must confirm your date and time by submitting payment, or if payment is not required, by sending an email to opera@wolftrap.org within one week of notification.

AUDITION SCHEDULING

Cancellation: If you need to cancel due to illness, please notify us at opera@wolftrap.org or leave a message at 571.307.4672. Do not try to reach us at the audition space.

Conflicts: If you are unable to keep your assigned date/time, you have these options:

• Arrange a mutual swap with another singer. Both of you must email us (opera@wolftrap.org) to confirm this swap.
• Notify us by email (opera@wolftrap.org) that you are unable to keep your assigned date/time. You will be placed on a wait list for your new preferred date/time, and we will contact you if and/or when we have an opening.

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

Filene Artists

• Offer 4 arias in contrasting styles and languages.
• You may change audition repertoire after submitting your application. It is not necessary to notify us if you change your repertoire; just bring a copy of the revised list to the audition.
• You will begin your audition with an aria of your choice. Additional selection(s) may be requested.

Studio Artists

• Prepare 4 contrasting selections.
• Three selections must be arias; the fourth selection can be art song, concert work, or crossover.
• You may change audition repertoire after submitting your application. It is not necessary to notify us if you change your repertoire; just bring a copy of the revised list to the audition.
• Also prepare a contemporary monologue: Your selection must have been created after 1950. (Material from current movies, TV shows or popular media is welcome). No longer than ONE MINUTE in duration.
• You will begin with the selection of your choice and will then perform your monologue. An additional selection may be requested.

Coaching Fellows

Be prepared to play and sing a selection from each of the categories below. Your selections must include one Italian, and one in either French or German. (Other languages allowed but not required)

• Aria or ensemble from a Mozart opera
• An accompanied recitative
• A brief secco recitative excerpt
• An ensemble or scene from a 19th-century opera
• A brief excerpt of any type from an opera written since 1940
• One other opera or musical excerpt of your choice
• Sight-reading will also be included in the audition

Directing Fellows

Interviews will be scheduled by Zoom during the month of November.

AUDITION MATERIALS

Please bring to your audition:

• 3 copies of your résumé.
• 3 copies of your audition repertoire list even if it is what you listed in your application.
• Do not bring a headshot or any additional promotional materials.

ACCOMPANIST

• The pianist fee will, of course, cover the pianist provided, but you may bring your own pianist if you prefer and the fee will be waived.
• We are not able to arrange pre-audition rehearsals with the company pianist.

AUDITION OUTCOME

Filene Artists & Studio Artists

• Callback auditions will be held on the same day as preliminary auditions or by request on a subsequent audition day. Callbacks will be held at the end of each audition session – morning callbacks will be at the end of the morning audition period, etc. There are no additional days exclusively for callbacks.
• If you are unable to come back during the established callback period at the end of the session, please notify us when you check in.
• Upon checking in, you will receive instructions on how and when to access callback information via Acceptd.
• If you do not receive a callback, you are no longer under consideration for this year’s company.

Fellows

• There are no callbacks for Coaching Fellows.
• Coaching Fellow candidates will be selected by mid December.
• If you receive a competing offer for the summer before you hear from us, please notify us immediately.

FEEDBACK

You may request feedback on your audition by emailing us at opera@wolftrap.org in January. Please allow up to 12 weeks for a response.

WOLF TRAP RESIDENCY LOGISTICS

Housing

• Housing is provided at no expense to all artists.
• Filene Artists and Fellows are housed in furnished, corporate apartments.
• Studio Artists receive dormitory lodging at George Mason University.
• Wolf Trap Opera is unable to assume responsibility for housing spouses, partners, families or pets.

Transportation

• All Artists must provide their own local transportation.
• Wolf Trap is located in Northern Virginia in the Washington, DC suburbs, where both public transportation and sidewalks are inconsistent, and housing assignments are not walkable from our rehearsal and performance facilities. You will need to have a car or make other arrangements to navigate the area.

Compensation

• All artists receive a weekly fee and a travel stipend.
• Last season’s fee for Filene Artists was $775/week and for Studio Artists $425/week. The travel stipend was $425.

QUESTIONS?

Reach WTO:
571.307.4672
opera@wolftrap.org
1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182