Audition
Join the welcoming performance community that brings this beloved holiday celebration to life each year!
Winter Revels volunteer choruses are at the core of every production. Ensemble members are people who love to sing, who are enthusiastic about bringing music to life on stage, and who come from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and experience levels.
Washington Revels’ choruses are the recipients of two Washington Area Music Awards in the “Choral Group” category and a Greater Washington D.C. Area Choral Excellence Award for “Best Specialty Chorus” (2017) and “Best Holiday 2025 Programming” (2026)
Performing in Winter Revels involves a regular time commitment throughout the Fall:
- Weekly Wednesday rehearsals in September–December (Children rehearse in the late afternoon; adults and teens rehearse together in the evening)
- 3-4 weekend full-day rehearsals in September–December
- 4-5 evening rehearsals in the week leading up to the first performance
- 8 performances
* Note: People cast in dances, speaking roles, and other featured elements may have additional rehearsals on weekday evenings or weekends.
Every performer has at least one featured moment on stage, but there are no “starring” roles. The Winter Revels production is principally an ensemble show; some songs may have solo verses or phrases, but very few are pure solos. We do not charge a set chorus fee; however, chorus members are asked to make a small contribution, which can be discounted or excused for financial hardship.
Adults audition in May; children and teens audition in September. If you have any questions about the audition process, including questions or concerns about audition sign-ups, please contact Susan Lewis at revelersall@gmail.com.
If you are interested in auditioning for the Winter Revels, or if you have a teenager (entering grade 9-12) or child (entering grades 3-6) who may be interested, please read the following additional information and sign up, as appropriate:
Upcoming Auditions
Events
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (subject to change)
Anyone auditioning, performing, rehearsing, or otherwise gathering as a part of Washington Revels must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19*.
* Fully vaccinated means at least two weeks past the last required injection based on manufacturer’s recommendations, including recommended boosters.
All policies to protect the health and safety of our performers, volunteers, audience, and staff are subject to modification as circumstances evolve. If you have questions about this vaccination policy, please contact the Washington Revels Office.
Learn more about our past Revels productions.
See video clips of past Revels performances!
For information on the selection process for productions and programs other than Winter Revels, please read the information on the Other Opportunities page.
What We Look For
We aim to make auditions a warm, inviting experience. Don’t be scared!
Although the chorus for each year’s production includes veteran performers, Washington Revels values the presence of new singers each year. We look for a variety of ages, ancestries, sizes and personalities to create a realistic “village” on stage. People of diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to audition.
Your song selection can be from any era or genre with the exception of “pop” music or show tunes. Traditional songs, seasonal carols, folk tunes, and hymns are recommended. Don’t try to impress our directors with something difficult—often a simple song well sung is more effective than a more complicated one. Just sing something you love and know well!
All auditions also include movement. Don’t worry if you’re not a great dancer; this is an opportunity for the directors to see how you move and interact with a group.
While professional performers are welcome to audition, participation in the Winter Revels choruses is unpaid.
Adult Chorus Auditions
Adults audition in late spring. This gives the directors time to work on creating the show over the summer.
Be prepared to sing 2 short audition pieces of your choice without accompaniment. The entire audition process takes about 60 minutes and also includes performing simple dance steps and singing with others.
Sign up for the newsletter to get on our mailing list and find out when auditions are happening!
Teen Auditions
Teens audition in September.
Teens are an integral part of our onstage community of performers, bringing a special energy and enthusiasm to our Winter Revels productions. Teens sing with the adults and sometimes have additional featured moments on stage. Auditions are open to youth entering grades 9-12.
Auditions are low-key and lots of fun. Teens are seen in groups of 6-10. Group singing and dancing are also included in the audition — the whole process should take about an hour. No special shoes or clothing are necessary, but you should be dressed to move.
Children’s Chorus Auditions
Children audition in September. All children auditioning will be cast in one of two productions:
- Winter Revels, held in December, or
- Spring Revels, held in late April and early May
The children’s chorus plays an important role in every Winter Revels—they are both featured as an ensemble and woven throughout the production as part of stage families. Auditions are open to children entering grades 3-6 (generally, ages 8-12).
The entire audition process takes about 60 minutes and also includes performing some simple dance steps and singing with others.
What We Look For
We are looking for children who are enthusiastic, musical, comfortable on stage and happy working in a group. Revels children can be loud and boisterous or quiet or calm; we are not seeking a flashy or “Broadway”-type theater performance. We try to get a range of ages, heights, personalities, and diverse looks, just as we do in the adult and teen choruses.
About the Audition Process
The audition process is low-key and lots of fun. Each child should prepare a short unaccompanied song to sing; this should be something simple that they are comfortable with and enjoy singing (something from school or camp, a carol, folk song, even “Happy Birthday” can suffice — just no pop, please).
Children are seen in groups of 6-10 and should be finished in about an hour. They will learn a simple song or two and we will play together, as the ability to enjoy group play and receive instructions in a relaxed way is important.
Children who are invited to perform in the Spring Revels rehearse on Wednesdays starting in March. Details are sent out early in the year. They join the adult and teen choruses for 2-3 rehearsals in the two weeks prior to the performances, which take place on the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May.
Newsletter Sign-Up Updates
To learn about other Washington Revels opportunities and upcoming events, please sign-up for our e-newsletter.
More Opportunities to Sing With Washington Revels
Spring Revels
There are no auditions for Spring Revels–the chorus of adults, teens, and children are either invited to join after auditioning, have performed in a past Winter Revels, or, who have volunteered significant time to Washington Revels during the past year. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings starting in late March or the first week in April.
Washington Revels Ensembles
To inquire about auditioning for one of our performing ensembles, please send an email to info@revelsdc.org with your contact information, experience details, and availability for upcoming performance seasons and audition schedules.
Parades and Pub Sings
No audition (or experience) is required to participate in our annual Pub Sings or in the Washington Revels groups that march in the annual Takoma Park Independence Day Parade. Just come on out and join the fun!