Audition & Interview Requirements

backstage

Photo by Connor Lange

The Center for Theatre and Dance requires applicants to submit pre-screen materials to Acceptd. After reviewing your pre-screen materials, the Center for Theatre and Dance will invite successful applicants to schedule an audition or interview. The materials submitted for the pre-screen are the same materials applicants will audition or interview with.

Degree Specific Requirements

Each Center for Theatre and Dance program has specific material requirements. Please select a program below to view its specific requirements.

​​​​​​Ithaca College’s B.F.A. Acting program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover what the field has to offer, as well as those with extensive acting experience. Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to audition.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include productions you’ve been involved in, roles played, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.
  • Two (2) contrasting monologues, each 60-90 seconds:

    • One (1) Contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950). This monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot, which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame. 

    • Either one (1) Classical monologue (typically written before 1950) or a second Contemporary monologue. This monologue should be filmed in a “full frame” shot, which means the top of the head to the floor should be visible in the frame. 

      • Classical monologues must have heightened language.

      • Playwrights may include Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still employ heightened language.

NOTE: Monologues must be memorized. The character should be within your age range. We are looking for your ability to play the actions inherent in the text and to reveal the inner life of the character as it intersects with your own experience, imagination, and understanding. Your goal should not be to show us how far you can stretch.

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • One (1) Wildcard submission, no more than 60 seconds:

    • Wildcard submissions can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passionate speech, an instrument you play, etc.

    • Helpful questions to guide you may be. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”. 

FILMING GUIDELINES

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (smartphones, tablets, etc.) 

Each piece should start with a slate (introduction) and is included as part of the time allotment. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright

Please DO NOT submit performance videos, even if you are alone on stage. 

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Ithaca College’s B.F.A. Musical Theatre program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover what the field has to offer, as well as those with extensive musical theatre experience. Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to audition.  

Ithaca College is a participant in the Musical Theatre Common Pre-Screen (MTCP) for the 2023-2024 cycle. Find out more information here

Our requirements reflect the MTCP “Options.” 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include productions you’ve been involved in, roles played, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.
  • Two (2) contrasting songs, each 60-90 seconds (Option A):

    • One (1) song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the "uptempo" or the "ballad" (student's choice).

    • One (1) song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.

    • One of the two songs (student's choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

NOTE: Applicants must sing to musical accompaniment, which could be live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music). 

  • Two (2) contrasting monologues, each 60-90 seconds (Option B):

    • One (1) Contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950). This monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot, which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame. 

    • Either one (1) Classical monologue (typically written before 1950) or a second Contemporary monologue. This monologue should be filmed in a “full frame” shot, which means the top of the head to the floor should be visible in the frame. 

      • Classical monologues must have heightened language.

      • Playwrights may include Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still employ heightened language.

NOTE: Monologues must be memorized. The character should be within your age range. We are looking for your ability to play the actions inherent in the text and to reveal the inner life of the character as it intersects with your own experience, imagination, and understanding. Your goal should not be to show us how far you can stretch.

  • One (1) Dance Submission, no more than 60 seconds. Please choose EITHER the Dance Option or Ballet Option. 

    • All dance media should be filmed in a “full frame” shot taking care to keep the student's entire person in the frame at all times.

    • No slate is required for dance media. 

    • Regardless of which style of dance you choose, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music, so that the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose and intention. 

    • Applicants are encouraged to keep a full-length mirror behind the filming device to see themselves as they execute choreography. 

    • Applicants who would like to use a choreographed combination can access choreographed combinations for pre-screen use here.

  • DANCE OPTION, no more than 60 seconds: 

    • Whatever discipline you feel most confident in. This may include, but is not limited to, jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.

    • Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation and extension that works for your body).

    • Dance media can be "self-choreographed," but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own. 

    • All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media. 

  • BALLET OPTION, no more than 60 seconds: 

    • Execute a brief series of plié, tendu, and grand battement. 

    • Execute pirouette en déhors (to both sides). 

    • Execute one or more grand jeté across the floor.

NOTE: One’s technical level alone is not the criterion for advancing to an audition. We are interested in the performer’s commitment and ability to communicate while dancing. We want to see you in your element, showcasing not only your technical skills, but your expressivity. It is always helpful for us to see a range of technical skills regardless of the genre. You might consider including jumps, turns, balances, leg extension, and a range of qualities (for example something sharp and something smooth). We also like to see a point of view when you are dancing. It could be that of joy or something more theatrical. We are excited to see where you currently are. 

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • One (1) Wildcard submission, no more than 60 seconds:

    • Wildcard submissions can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passionate speech, an instrument you play, etc.  

    • Helpful questions to guide you may be. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”. 

FILMING GUIDELINES

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (smartphones, tablets, etc.) 

Each piece should start with a slate (introduction) and is included as part of the time allotment. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and the show in which it appears. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright

Please DO NOT submit performance videos, even if you are alone on stage. 

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Ithaca College’s B.F.A. Stage Management program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover what the field has to offer, as well as those with experience as stage managers. Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to interview.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A personal passage (written or recorded) using the following prompt: “Describe what collaboration means to you and what you feel you personally bring to collaborative endeavors.”

    • Written passages should be no more than 300 words. 

    • Recorded passages (audio only or video) should be no more than 2 minutes. 

    • Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (smartphones, tablets, etc.) 

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include productions you’ve been involved in, roles played, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.
  • Samples of work from productions. These samples might include pages of a calling script, blocking notation, running notes, and props lists. You may also upload materials from your experience in technical theatre, design, and other fields in the performing arts. 

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Ithaca College’s B.S. Theatre Administration program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover what the field has to offer, as well as those with experience in management and administration (running your drama club’s social media, selling tickets and program ads, designing show posters, etc.). Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to interview.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include activities you’ve been involved in, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A personal response (written or recorded) describing your post-undergraduate career goals and what kind of jobs or responsibilities in performing arts administration or a related field you would like to pursue. 

    • Written passages should be no more than 100 words. 

    • Recorded passages (audio only or video) should be no more than 1 minute. 

    • Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (smartphones, tablets, etc.) 

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Ithaca College’s B.F.A. Theatre Production & Design program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover their interests in the field, as well as those with experience as designers and technicians. Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to interview.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include activities you’ve been involved in, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A portfolio that shows your background and interest in theatre design and technology. Portfolios can include photos, designs, sketches, artifacts from art classes such as drawings, paintings, and ceramics, drafting, costume or props construction, videos set to music/soundscape, and anything else that shows us who you are as an artist or practitioner.

    • Please limit media uploads to 20 examples.

    • Videos should be no more than 1 minute.

    • Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (smartphones, tablets, etc.) 

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Ithaca College’s B.A. Theatre Studies program welcomes students who are just beginning to discover their interests in theatre, as well as those with experience or interest in directing, writing, and dramaturgy. Regardless of your prior involvement in the theatre arts, we look forward to reviewing your materials and, if successful, inviting you to interview.  

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • A brief résumé that includes experiences in recent years that you believe would be helpful as the starting point for a conversation. You might include activities you’ve been involved in, honors and awards received, as well as other interests.
  • A personal passage (written) that answers the question, “How do you envision the role of theatre in contemporary society?”

    • Passages should be no more than 1200 words.

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • A current headshot or recent photo, so we can recognize you at your audition. This does not need to be a professional photograph.

Please click here for a list of tips and resources. 

Contact Us

School of Music, Theatre, and Dance