Photo by Yonas Hassen.

Auditions for Metro’s annual unpaid performance series will take place this Thursday.

MetroPerforms! will give 15 musicians, poets and other artists the chance to stand near the entrance of a Metrorail station — “far enough away from stairs and escalators to ensure unobstructed access for riders” — and do their thing between June 9 and August 29. Artists could also be selected for Music on the Mall, which begins June 10 at the Smithsonian Metro station.

Last year, as the Express reported, only about half of the 24 assigned performers appeared at their scheduled gigs. Michael McBride, Metro’s Art in Transit program manager, said they were “tolerant” of the absenteeism because the gig is unpaid.

DCist emailed and called McBride to see if any changes have been made this year to keep that from happening.

Still interested? Here’s the audition info:

Auditions will be held Thursday, June 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC. Auditions will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. All interested artists should visit wmata.com/metroperforms for registration information and additional details.