Join Mask and Wig
JOINING MASK AND WIG
Mask and Wig conducts auditions at the beginning of each academic year. This year, auditions will take place on September 1 and September 2, 2024.
In addition to a rich history, Mask and Wig maintains its position as one of the premier extracurricular activities on Penn’s campus. In Mask and Wig, you’ll get the chance to create, perform in more shows than any other group, and form friendships that will last for life.
You can join any of our four sections: the Band, Business Staff, Cast, and Stage Crew. If performing is your thing, you’re perfect for the Band or Cast; if you like to work behind the scenes, the Business Staff and Stage Crew are for you! Trapped by indecision? You can audition for two or three or all four! The best part? No experience is necessary.
INDICATE INTEREST
NSO Events
Mask and Wig hosts multiple events during NSO to allow you to get to know us better, see us perform (for free!), and have some fun! Fill out our interest form to be notified of these and other opportunities to get to know us better! Join us at any of the following:
Platt House Lobby
August 23, 4:00PM
215 S. 42nd St.
August 24, 1:00PM
Platt House
August 26, 8:00PM
College Green
August 26-29, 12:00PM
Houston Hall (Class of ’49 Auditorium)
August 28, 5:00PM
Zellerbach Auditorium
August 30, 7:30PM
Houston Hall (Hall of Flags)
September 1-2, 10:00AM
What is Mask and Wig?
Founded in 1889, Mask and Wig is the premier collegiate musical comedy troupe in the United States. Mask and Wig stages professional-grade productions featuring comedy, music, and dancing at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and for audiences across the world. The Club produces three shows each year: an annual Free Show for incoming students at Penn’s NSO, a one-week-only sketch comedy Fall Show, and a marquee full-length musical comedy Annual Production that runs for multiple months during the Spring. Mask and Wig offers the best opportunities on Penn’s campus for performance, technical work, musical and comedic writing, production, and digital media creation.
What roles are available?
Mask and Wig members join one of our four sections: the Band, Business Staff, Cast, and Stage Crew.
The Mask and Wig Band is one of Penn’s premier bands. The Band not only provides musical accompaniment for both our Fall Show and Annual Production, but also plays gigs year-round for packed crowds. Come jam with us!
The Business Staff handles all the promotion, sales, and fundraising for Mask and Wig. Whether you’re a designer, photographer, videographer, budding entrepreneur, or natural salesperson, the Business Staff needs you to keep Mask and Wig running.
If you’re into comedy and like to act, sing, dance, or write, the Cast is for you! Each year, we write and perform two original productions in a variety of styles. From belting tunes to showcasing our fan-favorite bits at campus comedy nights, the Cast is always in the spotlight!
Creating from scratch such wonders of the stage as a Mayan temple, an underwater kingdom, or a Roman coliseum, the Crew builds themed sets for all our productions. In addition, they run the lights, sound, and stage for all of our shows.
You can apply to any or all of our sections in the audition process. While you will only be selected for one section, there are opportunities to work across sections. For example, anyone in Mask and Wig can contribute to writing the shows, if you’re selected for the Cast you’ll still have the opportunity to help the Crew build the set, and if you’re in the Crew you can create digital content with the Business Staff.
What’s in it for me?
A COMMUNITY LIKE NO OTHER
Mask and Wig members reap immense personal rewards. In addition to the numerous performance and creative opportunities, our members form lifelong friendships and make lasting memories together. Membership goes beyond the stage: social events, Clubroom company meetings, and countless meals together make Mask and Wig one of the most connected communities on campus. Combining traditions dating back to 1889 with fresh social events, Mask and Wig is the ideal social environment to spend your Collegiate years.
Following your undergraduate years, our deeply involved alumni network of over 400 members is eager to support you. During your time in Mask and Wig, you can engage with these alumni to deepen your connection to Mask and Wig’s storied history as well as seek mentorship and job opportunities in fields as diverse as professional theater, film and television, medicine, law, finance, consulting, and more.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Mask and Wig is blessed to have numerous resources that make it unique among extracurricular opportunities at Penn. We maintain a private Clubroom in the Mask and Wig building in the Quad (which we donated to the University). Here we host company meetings, study hours, band rehearsals, and more. Since 1894, the home of the Mask and Wig Club has been our Clubhouse in Center City. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and pictured here, the Clubhouse is the site of the magnificent Grille Room bar and the Ned Rogers Theater where our Annual Production is presented.
A FREE TRIP
Each Spring Break, we take our Annual Production on an all-expenses paid tour around the world! Past tours have included stops in New York, Orlando, and London. What could possibly be better than a free vacation with your best friends? Fill out our interest form today to learn more!
How do auditions work?
In-person auditions will take place on the second floor of Houston Hall from 12:00PM until 6:00PM on both September 1 and September 2.
Virtual auditions are available for anyone who will be out of town during the audition days, is feeling sick, or has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. For a virtual option, please join our Auditions Zoom room (link available soon) between 11:00AM and 12:00PM on September 1 or September 2. We unfortunately cannot offer virtual auditions for the Band.
For more on what to expect in the audition, choose a section below:
The Band audition involves a written application and playing your instrument. There are four components:
Contains basic information collection – the fun stuff comes later!
Prepare a piece, about one minute in length, that best demonstrates your skills on your instrument.
You’ll have about 30 seconds to look at a given piece, which you will then be asked to play.
Play with us! You’ll be asked to solo. Very cool.
We regret that we cannot accommodate virtual auditions for the band. We hope you can still join us for auditions next year. The Band is also always looking for extra members to help out with gigs – if you are unable to audition but are interested in playing gigs with Mask and Wig, please reach out to bandleader@maskandwig.com.
Ready to find out more? Fill out our interest form!
The Business Staff audition involves a written application and a short interview:
Contains basic information collection and is what we use to gauge skills, experience, and creativity. Expect some lightning-round questions!
You’ll be asked to interview with the current Business Staff members. Discuss what skills and experience you can bring to the team in a laid-back environment. Firm handshakes and stoic confidence are highly valued.
The beginning of the semester is a crazy time. The Mask and Wig Club is happy to provide virtual audition options for anyone who is out of town, feels unwell, or has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using the Zoom link above at the indicated time. Expect the same written application and interview. We’ll provide further instructions to online applicants on audition days.
Ready to find out more? Fill out our interest form!
Whether you’re a writer, an actor, or some secret third thing, the cast audition gives you space to highlight your unique potential on and offstage.
Tell us about yourself! We want to know about your experience, but we mostly want to see what comedic ideas you have rattling around in your brain. Have some favorite brainrot instagram reels? A favorite movie monologue? Did that deep-fried meme make you giggle? Bring that energy to your written application. Write from life, make bold choices, and stretch to avoid hand cramps.
This is not American Idol, but it helps to carry a tune. In small groups, you’ll sing a few bars with our accompanist. No need to bring sheet music with you.
Sixty seconds. One prompt. A movie pitch? A character monologue? Who’s to say! Tap into those acting instincts!
You’ll learn a combination from a professional choreographer and perform it in small groups. Wear sneakers!
You’ll partner up and perform a short, scripted comedic scene. Plant your feet! Literacy recommended.
The beginning of the semester is a crazy time. The Mask and Wig Club is happy to provide virtual audition options for anyone who is out of town, feels unwell, or has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using the Zoom link above at the indicated time. Expect the same written application and improv scene. For virtual auditions only, please plan to provide a video of you singing the chorus of a song during the audition (no need to send in advance). We’ll provide further instructions to online applicants on audition days.
Ready to find out more? Fill out our interest form!
The Stage Crew audition involves a written application and a short interview:
Contains basic information collection, get-to-know-you questions, questions to gauge your previous experience, and plenty of questions related to past crew stories that shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
The Crew interview gives the team a chance to get to know you personally through a mix of traditional and more fun questions. May involve darkness.
The beginning of the semester is a crazy time. The Mask and Wig Club is happy to provide virtual audition options for anyone who is out of town, feels unwell, or has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using the Zoom link above at the indicated time. Expect the same written application and interview. We’ll provide further instructions to online applicants on audition days.
Ready to find out more? Fill out our interest form!
Callbacks only occur for the Band and the Cast and will take place on the second day of auditions (September 2nd), later in the afternoon and evening.
Interested in learning more about Mask and Wig’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and supporting all identities? Visit our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page or contact some of our members at dei@maskandwig.com.