School of Music

• Honor Code
• Professionalism Policy
• Performance Policy
• Proficiency Policy

Tips for Audition DVD

A standard DVD will suffice; a studio produced DVD is not required. However, consider the following:

• Have material well prepared and memorized.
• Find appropriate locations for performing vocal selections, dance and monologues.
• Perform your best piece first in each category - one that captures the attention of the adjudicators immediately.
• Dress appropriately for an audition (see below for clarification.)
• Please submit only the requested audition material (DO NOT submit recorded selections from past performances.)

Audition DVD

Complete and send THREE DVDs with THREE CLEARLY MARKED CHAPTERS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

1. MUSIC: Two musical theatre excerpts that demonstrate contrasting vocal sounds or styles. One ballad and one up-tempo selection are recommended.
   • Tips:
     1. Applicants should choose music well suited to their voice and interpretive capability (emotional/acting component is considered carefully in this part of the audition.)
     2. MAXIMUM LENGTH of BOTH excerpts combined should be THREE MINUTES or less.
2. DANCE: Prepare and perform a 1 to 2 minute solo that demonstrates your skill in one or more of the following dance forms: Ballet, Jazz (various styles) and/or Modern Dance. The solo should showcase your technical skill and performance ability. The following elements need to be apparent:
   1. Overall coordination
   2. Strength
   3. Flexibility demonstrated through movements such as; extensions and rond de jambs, but not limited to just these skills
   4. Full range of motion in both the arms and the legs
   5. Musicality, including accents and phrasing
   6. An ability to move through the space with ease and fluidity
   7. Dynamic and qualitative differences
   • Tips:
     1. The solo can be choreographed by you or someone else. Please INDICATE before you begin your dance WHO CHOREOGRAPHED the dance.
     2. Your dress should be modest and allow the viewer to clearly see the motion and dynamics of the dance as well as the line and design of the body.
3. THEATRE: Two contrasting monologues from established play, musical or film scripts. One selection should be comedic; one should be serious/dramatic. Both selections should allow the student to reveal basic honesty and clarity of objectives.
   • Tips:
     1. DO NOT use poetry.
     2. DO NOT perform SHAKESPEARE or other verse material.
     3. Look for scenes wherein the character you are portraying has a strong need or objective and is speaking directly to an identifiable partner.
     4. Select characters that are your gender and race, as well as close to your age.
     5. MAXIMUM TIME for BOTH monologues combined is THREE MINUTES.
     6. DO NOT wear a costume.

Each year, graduating seniors in the Music Dance Theatre and BFA Acting program audition for the BFA Senior Showcase.  Those selected to participate in the Senior Showcase, travel to Los Angeles and New York City and audition for casting directors, agents, producers, and other industry professionals.  The BFA Senior Showcase is designed as a capstone experience for those planning on a career in professional theatre.  It provides a valuable link between the academic and professional world.  
 


Travel for the BFA Senior Showcase is funded in part through the Mary Lou Fulton Endowed Chair in the Theatre and Media Arts Department. Students are also expected to cover some costs associated with the BFA Senior Showcase.