Results Will Vary* Auditions

Thank you for your interest in Results Will Vary*!

We are currently in the process of building our company for 2025. If you are a performer or musician interested in auditioning for the show, please carefully review the information on this page!

Results Will Vary* is a 55-minute musical sketch comedy show that prepares incoming students for life at Penn State and is performed during each New Student Orientation program at Penn State University Park. This show is written for students, by students and features the authentic voice of the company. This musical will have approximately 16 performances during the summer of 2025. Rehearsal and performance dates are listed below.

New this year: Results Will Vary* offers new performances, most performances in the business day, and a small time commitment. (In 2024, there were 40 performances. In 2025 there are 16.)

The company will use last year’s show as a basis to build this year’s show, expanding upon and/or refining the existing messages. Topics range from learning about resources on campus to more serious subject matter. We are looking for company members who are eager to share their individual story in order to help the experience of incoming students.

There are 11 student positions available:

  • 8 cast members (including at least one pianist and 1 guitarist)
  • 2 swings
  • 1 assistant director/stage manager.  

Here are some details about the show and the summer:

  • Payment for the full summer will be at least $3,000 pre-tax. This includes rehearsals and all performances.
  • New Student Orientation will hire up to 5 company members to work during each NSO Check-In during the summer. This would be less than 10 hours per week, in the same weeks of performances.
  • Holding an additional summer job is permitted, as long as your other commitments are cleared with the state manager and you are available for rehearsal and all performances.
  • Selected company members will be subject to a GPA and student conduct check. 

Please note: it is important to us that the NSO cast be inclusive and represent as many Penn State students as possible. We will be looking for students that bring unique perspectives to share with all 9,000+ incoming first years. We encourage all Penn State students to audition. While we have a script and score that we are very happy with, we are excited to have a new cast that will help to re-shape and update the script.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule

  • Rehearsals will take place between Monday, May 12 and Friday, May 16 and again Friday, June 13 through Monday, June 16
  • Performances are as follows:
    • June 17: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • June 18: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • June 23: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • June 25: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • June 27: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • June 30: Summer Welcome Performance at Eisenhower Auditorium (Call and strike times TBD)
    • July 15: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • July 16: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • July 17: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • July 21: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • July 23: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • August 20: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • August 21: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • August 22: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Call and strike times TBD)
    • August 23: President’s New Student Convocation (Call and strike times TBD)
    • August 27: Encore Performance (Call and strike times TBD)
  • You are allowed 1 pre-approved shows off (though you will not be paid for any rehearsals or shows missed).

Meet the creative team for this year's show:

  • Director – Zack Steele
  • Associate Director - Kelsey Robins
  • Music Director – To be determined
  • Choreographer – to be determined

Audition Information: 

FOR PERFORMERS: 

The audition process will begin with a self-tape, after which a callback will be held on Sunday, March 30 time and location TBD.

For your self-tape, you will prepare: 

  • A short, spoken piece that shares your unique skills and personality with us (monologue, poem, stand-up routine, etc....) – comedic preferred!
  • A 32-bar cut of an up-tempo pop song or musical theatre pop-rock song of your choice. You may accompany yourself on an instrument.
  • Please upload your recordings to YouTube using this naming convention: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_2024 NSO AUDITION.
  • Send the links in an email to resultswillvary@psu.edu.

All self-tape auditions must be received via email no later than 11:59p.m. on Friday, March 16. 

For the live callback, on Sunday, March 30:  

  • Be dressed in comfortable clothes and ready to move. You will learn a short dance sequence.
  • If you play an instrument, please bring it with you and be prepared to play (a piano will be provided)!
  • There will be some group improvisation.
  • For MUSICIANS, please be prepared to play a pop keyboard/guitar selection of your choice.  

We will take any questions you may have about this project during the live callback on Sunday, March 30. 

Email us at resultswillvary@psu.edu. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

FOR ASSISTANT DIRECTORS/STAGE MANAGERS: 

If you are interested in being considered for the Assistant Director/Stage Manager position, please send an email to Director, Zack Steele (zjs5395@psu.edu); Associate Director, Kelsey Robins (krobins@psu.edu); and Producer, Katie Motycki (kem197@psu.edu) indicating your interest and including your resume NO LATER than 11:59p.m. on Sunday, March 9. 

After this information has been reviewed, interviews for the Assistant Director/State Manager position will be scheduled as necessary.