Each Winter the University/Resident Theatre Association holds a series of auditions and interviews involving hundreds of the country's outstanding undergraduate and advanced theatre students. The National Unified Auditions and Interviews are conducted in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco, with candidates coming from around the world. Candidates interested in acting, design (scenic, lighting, costume, sound), directing, theatre technology, stage management, and theatre management, are provided the opportunity to vie for numerous positions with graduate schools, and for seasonal employment with summer theatre companies, Shakespeare festivals and other professional producing organizations. Membership in U/RTA is NOT required for students to participate.

Of the more than 1,200 candidates that are reviewed, many are students of prestigious undergraduate programs or theatre company schools, and winners of various national competitions, including the Irene Ryan Competition. Acting candidates in NYC and Chicago are screened first by panels of graduate program teachers, casting directors and/or other members of the professional community, and those of superior talent are passed on to the Final Auditions. At this time, there is no screening process in San Francisco and all acting candidates who apply are seen, but space is limited.

The final auditions, as well as the interviews for directors, designers, stage managers, technicians and administrators, are open to representatives from U/RTA's member training programs, associated producing companies, and many guest organizations.  Shakespeare festivals and summer theater programs constitute a small portion of the attending organizations.

Guest Participant status is granted to those organizations which meet certain U/RTA requirements. Guest Participants must be pursuing full membership with U/RTA as graduate training programs, or be a qualified Producing Company. More information is available by calling the U/RTA National Office.