Musical Theatre Pre-screen and Audition Requirements

Pre-screen Filming Guidelines

Please review the guidelines prior to filming and uploading your pre-screen. Guidelines include information on slating, video labeling, and framing. It is very important that all guidelines are followed. If you do not follow the guidelines, your application review may be delayed.

Required Application and Pre-screen 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.
  • One (1) slate video stating your name and pronouns if you would like to share.
  • Two (2) contrasting monologues, each 60-90 seconds:
    • One (1) contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer. A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.
    • One (1) classical monologue (typically written before 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer. Classical monologues should have heightened language. Heightened language may be works by Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, August Wilson, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, Mike Bartlett, George the Poet, Andrea Gibson, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still utilize heightened language.
      • Monologues must be memorized.
      • It is recommended to choose monologues that are age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age) and that feel authentic to your culture, background, and lived experience.
      • Active monologues are often better for auditions; an active monologue takes place in real time and focuses on what you want and puts you in direct communication with an imaginary scene partner. This is often more successful in an audition situation than pieces that are a story or remembrance. Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions as it can be hard to believably justify those responses in a short piece.
  • Two (2) contrasting songs, each 60-90 seconds:
    • One (1) musical theatre song from any time period.
    • One (1) song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theatre, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
      • Musical accompaniment, either live or pre-recorded accompaniment, is required. No "a cappella" singing (meaning singing without music).
      • Some examples of contrasting songs are fast tempo vs. slow tempo, sustained melodic singing vs. speech-like singing, dramatic vs. comedic, belt vs. head/falsetto mix.
      • Many accompaniment tracks are available on YouTube and other websites. If you do not have a way to work with a live accompanist or don't have access to a recorded track of your music, consider using an app that will play the piano part for you. Harmony Helper is one such app that allows you to take photos of your sheet music, upload them to the app, and then generate a piano track that you can use.
  • One (1) dance submission, 60-90 seconds:
    • Show us your best version of dancing or moving. Please include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).

Optional Application and Pre-screen Materials

  • One (1) wildcard submission, 60-90 seconds:
    • Think about the wild card section as an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. This media can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” Below is a list of ideas that have been successful in the past:
      • Singing a pop song
      • Singing or playing an original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance.
      • Performing your own Saturday Night Live-styled skit where you create a comedic character
      • Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you
      • Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent
      • Playing an instrument
      • Making a “how-to” video on something you are good at, baking, calligraphy, gymnastics.
      • If you are a dancer and want to show us a different style you excel in: Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, etc.

Live Audition Information & Required Materials (In-Person and Virtual)

The information below pertains to Musical Theatre applicants who have been invited to a live audition. You may choose to present the same material from your pre-screen or choose new material, as long as it adheres to the below guidelines. Please read the information below carefully, as it contains important details.

Audition Scheduling:

  • Auditions are offered both in-person and virtually. You can find more information about dates, locations, and schedules here.
  • Our audition sessions are approximately 4 hours long, starting with a welcome session, warm-ups, getting to know the faculty auditioning you, and then the audition. Please plan to be available the entire time, though you are released as soon as your audition is finished.
    • Your audition registration signs you up for the entire 4-hour audition session - not a specific time. We will assign you a specific audition time and have the schedule for you at check-in on your audition day. If you have multiple auditions scheduled during the session, we will work with you to find a time that fits.
    • NOTE: The time listed next to the audition block is the audition session start time, not your audition time.
  • More information, including a Zoom link (if auditioning virtually), will be sent to you via email prior to your audition date.

Schedule changes:

  • You may change your scheduled session up until one week ahead of your audition date, at which time the schedule will be locked.
  • If you need to make a change after it is locked or need to cancel, please contact us.

Audition Materials:

  • Please bring one (1) copy of your headshot and resume, stapled so the headshot faces out on one side and the resume faces out on the other.
  • Please bring your sheet music, clearly marked with start and end points. 
    • We will provide an accompanist, and you will have time to speak with the accompanist before your audition.
  • You may choose to use the same material from your pre-screen or you may present new material, as long as it adheres to the time (60-90 seconds) and content (contemporary, classical, contrasting, etc.) guidelines.
  • The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance does not have a dance call.

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

  • One (1) contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer. A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.
  • One (1) classical monologue (typically written before 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer. Classical monologues should have heightened language. Heightened language may be works by Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, August Wilson, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, Mike Bartlett, George the Poet, Andrea Gibson, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still utilize heightened language.
    • Monologues must be memorized.
    • It is recommended to choose monologues that are age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age) and that feel authentic to your culture, background, and lived experience.
    • Active monologues are often better for auditions; an active monologue takes place in real time and focuses on what you want and puts you in direct communication with an imaginary scene partner. This is often more successful in an audition situation than pieces that are a story or remembrance. Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions as it can be hard to believably justify those responses in a short piece.

Two (2) contrasting songs, each 60-90 seconds:

  • One (1) musical theatre song from any time period.
  • One (1) song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theatre, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
    • Musical accompaniment, either live or pre-recorded accompaniment, is required. No "a cappella" singing (meaning singing without music).
    • Some examples of contrasting songs are fast tempo vs. slow tempo, sustained melodic singing vs. speech-like singing, dramatic vs. comedic, belt vs. head/falsetto mix.
    • Many accompaniment tracks are available on YouTube and other websites. If you do not have a way to work with a live accompanist or don't have access to a recorded track of your music, consider using an app that will play the piano part for you. Harmony Helper is one such app that allows you to take photos of your sheet music, upload them to the app, and then generate a piano track that you can use.

There is no dance call at our auditions.

We look forward to meeting you and seeing your work! Please reach out with any questions.
 

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