Back to school usually means buying textbooks, finding classrooms and learning about classes. For students in the Department of Theatre and Dance, the list also includes preparing and auditioning for the spring play and musical.

The department will perform three different shows this semester, and two of the shows host their auditions this week.

All students are welcome to audition, according to department chair Leigh Selting. Information can be found on the call board located outside the theatre and dance office inside the Fine Arts Building.

Monday night auditions were held for “Books on Tape,” a comedy written and directed by UW professor William Missouri Downs.

Theatre and dance student Noelia Antweiler preformed in Downs’ play “Seagulls and a Cherry Tree” last year and is prepared for this round of auditioning. “I definitely spend a lot of time alone so I can practice and prepare,” Antweiler said.

Antweiler also prepares by meeting with her scene partner and being physically and vocally ready for the audition.

Those who auditioned for “Books on Tape” will find out Tuesday if they received the part.

Auditions for “Chicago” will start Wednesday. The musical will be directed by Selting, conducted by Michael Griffith and vocally conducted by Patrick Newell.

Wednesday will consist of the singing audition, and Thursday will be dancing and singing. Callbacks can be expected on Friday.

Anyone interested in auditioning for “Chicago” can find information about the required songs by going to the theatre and dance office, Selting said.

UW student Corey Winfield will also be auditioning for both shows this semester. “It’s always good to have something ready, be it a monologue or a song. Always have something in your head that’s ready to go,” Winfield said. “That way you’re not tripping or stumbling over your words, even if it’s a spur of the moment ‘read this’-type audition.”

“Chicago” has been preformed on Broadway and has won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy award.