Drama

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

Video Format

• Introduce yourself and your material: “My name is (your preferred name and last name). I have prepared (title of poem) by (poet’s name). In my first performance, my quality is (quality one) and in my second performance my quality is (quality two). My song is (title) by (composer/songwriter).” 
• Present your poem with two different qualities: Poems should be memorized. Choose a poem that you connect to and present it twice, each time with a different quality. Choose qualities that are contrasting. 
• Quality examples: excited, joyful, enthusiastic, persuasive, patient, nervous, grieving, frustrated, disinterested, bored
• Consider how your performance changes when your quality is different. What can you do that is subtle but still conveys these different qualities? What can you do to stay true to the meaning of the poem while speaking through the lens of your chosen qualities?
• Perform your song a capella (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 skills 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. 

Video Tips

• Sound quality is important! Make sure we can clearly hear you without distracting background noises.
• Set the camera 4-5 feet away and stand while recording. We should be able to see from around the knees up.

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

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

Video Format

• 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).”
• Perform your first monologue: Choose a monologue from a modern/contemporary playwright (from a play written after 1920).
• Perform your second monologue: Choose a monologue from a modern/contemporary playwright (from a play written after 1920) that contrasts with your first monologue.
• Perform your song a capella (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 you can be clearly heard 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. 

MONOLOGUE TIPS

• Plays with suitable monologues can be found here.
• 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.”