Apply for Residential High School

As a part of the admissions process, Creative Writing applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Creative Writing Recommendation
• Creative Writing Short Answer Questions
• Creative Writing Portfolio
• Creative Writing Essay
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• Creative Writing Virtual Interview (if selected)

Creative Writing applicants are required to submit an essay and a writing portfolio to the application checklist as part of the pre-screening process. Only select applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview. 

Essay Requirements

Describe a single, specific incident or event that has profoundly affected you as a writer. You may not use your experience at a Governor’s School summer program as the subject of your essay.

• 400-500 words
• Typed and double-spaced with Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Your name in the upper right-hand corner
• Save as a PDF

Portfolio Guidelines

Applicants will submit a writing portfolio of five poems OR one fictional short story.

Five Poems

• 1 poem per page, 5 pages
• Typed and single-spaced with Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Your name in the upper right-hand corner
• Page numbers in the lower right-hand corner
• Save as a PDF

One Fictional Short Story

• 1-5 pages long
• Typed and double spaced with Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Your name in the upper right-hand corner
• Page numbers in the lower right-hand corner
• Save as a PDF

Tips

• Find writing tips and reading suggestions at SCGSAH.org/suggested-reading
• Not sure how to save your portfolio as a PDF? See the tutorials below:
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word
  • Pages
• Questions? Contact us at admissions@scgsah.org

Download a printable version of the above information.

As a part of the admissions process, Dance applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Dance Recommendation
• Dance Questions
• Dance Photo - a tendu in second position
• Dance Photo - first arabesque
• Dance Essay
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• In-Person Audition or Audition Video

Applicants will participate in an in-peron audition where they will perform a solo, participate in classes, and attend an interview.

Audition Format

• Ballet Class (1.5 hours)
• Modern Class (1 hour)
• Improv Class (15 minutes)
• Solo
  • Applicants will prepare a solo that is no more than two-minutes long. The style of solo will depend on the program the student is applying for. Applicants should bring a CD with their music to the audition.
    • Ballet Program applicants: prepare either a classical or contemporary solo
    • Modern Program applicants: prepare a contemporary solo
• Summer Dance Interviews
• Residential High School Interviews 
  • If you are auditioning for both Summer Dance & RHS, you will only interview as an RHS candidate
  • RHS Dance interviews take place after all Summer Dance interviews are complete
  • Interviews are around 5-minutes in length
  • After the interview, the RHS Dance audition is complete

Standard Dance Attire

• Females: Black leotards, convertible skin-colored or pink tights, and ballet shoes. For the modern center practice, applicants must be barefoot (rolled up convertible tights).
• Males: Black t-shirts, dance belts, black convertible tights with black shoes. For modern center practice, applicants must be barefoot (rolled up convertible tights).

PLEASE NOTE: Parents will not be permitted to observe any portion of the audition process.

Download a printable .pdf file of the instructions above.

As a part of the admissions process, Drama applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Drama Recommendation
• Drama Short Answer Questions
• Drama Video
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• Drama Virtual Interview (if selected)
• Drama Callbacks (if selected)

Video Audition Requirements

Applicants are required to record a 3-4 minute video audition and submit a link to their video through the application checklist.

Applicants will also participate in a virtual audition, where they will be asked to perform some or all of the materials detailed in this document.

Video Format

1. Introduce yourself and your materials: “My name is (your preferred name and last name). My monologues are from (title of play) by (playwright’s name), in the role of (character’s name), and (title of play) by (playwright’s name), in the role of (character’s name). My song is (title) by (composer/songwriter).”
2. Perform your first monologue: Choose a monologue from a modern/contemporary playwright (from a play written after 1920).
3. Perform your second monologue: Choose either a monologue from a modern/contemporary playwright that contrasts with your first monologue or a Shakespeare monologue (prose or verse).
4. Perform your song acapella (without accompaniment): Sing 16 bars (1-2 musical phrases) of a song you enjoy and are comfortable singing. This song is not about testing your skills as a singer, but to hear your vocal quality for the stage. It is also an opportunity to showcase your acting through song. You can sing from a musical, a folk song, or popular music; whatever feels right to you and instills confidence in the performance.

General Tips

• Sound quality is important! Make sure can clearly hear you without distracting background noises.
• Set the camera 4-5 feet away. You can sit or stand depending on what is appropriate for your material. Props are limited to one chair.
• Questions? Contact us at admissons@scgsah.org

Monologue Tips

• Plays with suitable monologues can be found at SCGSAH.org/suggested-monologues.
• Avoid using films, plays written expressly for high schoolers, or material from internet-only sources.
• Prepare monologues that suit your age, experience, and understanding. You stand out when you connect with your material personally!
• Read the entire plays that your monologues come from so you know what’s happening, where you are, who you are talking to, and why you are talking to them.
• Fully memorize your monologue before recording so you’re confident to engage your imagination and make the piece your own. We want to experience a character in a dramatic situation, not just reciting.
• Work from yourself. Avoid putting on accents, funny walks or talking, and crude attempts at “character.”

Download a printable .pdf version of the above information.

As a part of the admissions process, Film applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Film Recommendation
• Film Short Answer Questions
• Student Statement
• Film Scene Analysis
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• Film Virtual Interview

Applicants for the Residential High School Film program are required to complete and submit the following information through their application checklist.

• Film Questions
• Creative Submission
• Scene Analysis
• Film Essay/Statement

Film applicants will also participate in a 20-minute virtual audition in February.

Film Questions

In the Film Questions form on the application checklist, applicants will be asked to:

• Rank their interest in a variety of areas of filmmaking and share any experience they may have had in each area. Limited experience is NOT detrimental to an applicant’s candidacy.
• Tell us in 150-250 words about a movie you’ve seen that resonated with you. (Full directions for this prompt can be found in the Film Questions form on the application checklist.)

Creative Submission

Submit one of the following in which you were the primary creator. Anything submitted must be your own original work. Creative submissions will be uploaded in the application checklist.

• Short film - 2-7 minutes. Preference for narrative stories of any genre (rather than documentaries or abstract film). Ensure your film is well-edited and polished for viewing. Successful films will demonstrate potential for innovative visual storytelling and/or an emerging authorial voice. Submit as a QuickTime-compatible format (.mov, .mp4, etc.)
• Screenplay - Must be in standard screenwriting format, 3-5 pages, with a title. Screenplay should be a self-contained story with a beginning, middle and end and not part of a longer work. Successful scripts will be error free and formatted correctly while showcasing your unique individual voice. Submit as a PDF.
  • Applicants may use this template (update link) as a guide on screenwriting format. Screenwriting software will automatically format things correctly. There are several options for screenwriting software that offer free options, such as Arc Studio.
• Storyboard - Between 5 and 10 panels telling a narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end. Successful storyboards will communicate effective visual storytelling through strong framing and composition regardless of artistic drawing ability. Submit as a PDF or PNG.
  • Applicants may use this template for reference.
• Production design - This can be design work for film, theater, or any other type of production including set design, costume design, hair/makeup, prop fabrication, etc. Include 3-5 photos of your work along with a brief description of the context (50-100 words). You may also include any related moodboards, sketches, renderings, or pitchdecks if applicable (1-15 slides submitted as a PDF). A successful production design submission effectively showcases your work with clear, cohesive visual examples and a concise explanation of the creative context and execution. Below are examples of different types of submissions for reference, not including the written description of the context that is required.
  • Pitch deck example
  • Mood board example
  • Set decoration example
• Film Essay/Statement - Respond to the following prompt in 300-500 words. Share your long-term goals and how the Film program at the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities will help you achieve them.

Scene Analysis

Select and submit a video link to a scene from a produced feature film or series that you feel is an example of filmmaking at its best. (In other words, answer the question: "What makes this a well-done scene?")

Write a 100-200 word analysis of the scene in terms of filmmaking craft. You must discuss at least two (2) of the following in your analysis:

1. Cinematography
2. Editing
3. Performance
4. Production design
5. Sound

As a part of the admissions process, Music Instrumental applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Music Recommendation
• Instrumental Music Questions
• Music Essay
• Music Teacher Contact Information
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• In-Person Audition

As a part of the admissions process, Vocal applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Music Recommendations
• Music Questions
• Music Essay
• Music Teacher Contact Information
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• In-Person Audition

Audition Format

Applicants will participate in an in-person audition where they will be asked to perform the material for their instrument detailed below. Students should bring anything that may be needed before and during the audition, including their instrument, sheet music, extra reeds, etc. Music stands will be provided. Please note that parents are not permitted to observe the audition.

Instrumental Early Admission (IEA) applicants who are invited to audition will also participate in an interview with the Dean of Students, the Chair of the Music Department and an additional music faculty member. Because of this additional component, IEA auditions typically last 30 minutes.

As a part of the admissions process, Visual Arts applicants for the Residential High School will complete a checklist that includes the following items:

• Application
• Student Photo
• Applicant Survey
• Visual Arts Recommendation
• Visual Arts Short Answer Questions
• Visual Arts Portfolio
• Current Grades
• Current Transcript
• Current Attendance Record
• Academic Recommendation
• Guidance/Registrar Form
• Visual Arts Drawing Workshop *
• Visual Arts Interview *

*Scheduled after submission of application. 

Applicants are required to upload a portfolio (saved as a PDF) to the application checklist. Applicants will be asked to bring all pieces from their digital portfolio to an in-person audition.
Download a printable pdf of this information.

Portfolio Requirements

1. Color-Based Composition
2. Triangle Tension Composition
3. Pencil Drawing of Two Unrelated Objects
4. Three-Dimensional Piece 
5.  20+ Sketchbook Pages 
6. Piece(s) of Choice (Optional)

Audition Format

Applicants will participate in an in-person audition where they will participate in a drawing workshop and a personal interview. Please note that parents are not permitted to observe the workshop or interview.

DRAWING WORKSHOP: 90 minutes
During the drawing workshop, applicants will review key drawing terms (watch a short video on drawing terms here), participate in drawing exercises, and do a selection of observational drawings. All drawing materials for the workshop will be provided.

PERSONAL INTERVIEW: 20-30 minutes
During the personal interview, applicants will share more about their art and themselves. Applicants will bring specific items from the Portfolio that was uploaded to their application checklist (see the list below). Applicants should be prepared to discuss their artistic choices and essay submission.

Bring all pieces from the application portfolio to the interview. 

Download a printable .pdf version of the information above.