| |
Theatre
Program Application and Audition Information
Welcome
and thanks for your interest in our program! We have included printable
downloads of this information at the bottom of this page for your
convenience.
Click
here to download a useful Application
Checklist for the theatre and music theatre program.
You
will audition for a panel of friendly and experienced faculty representing
several disciplines. After your audition you will get a chance to work
with at least one of us. In that way, you'll learn more about us and vice
versa. We will also send you written feedback on your audition. We believe
that student performers benefit most when auditioning is part of a larger
learning process.
REQUIREMENTS
Theatre:
If you wish to audition as an intended Theatre major, please prepare
two contrasting monologues. The two together must not total more than 3 minutes. By contrasting,
they may be comic and dramatic, or classical and contemporary, or a
combination of each. Select something that has been well rehearsed and
is within a comfortable age range. Bring a resume that has all your
contact information. Bring a head shot if you have one.
Music
Theatre: If you wish to audition as an intended Music Theatre major,
please prepare two contrasting monologues, an up-tempo song, and a ballad.
The total audition time allotted will be 5 minutes. If dance is your strong suit,
you may present a dance piece one minute or less in length.
AUDITION
DATES
2008-2009 Audition Dates
Saturday, November 22, 2008—Current
AU Students and Early Decision Prospective Students
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
For information on audition and admission procedures, please contact Alison Dornheggen at au.theatre@yahoo.com.
SIGN-UP
SLOTS
To
sign up for an audition slot, please call: 202-885-3437
Or email au.theatre@yahoo.com and leave a message with the following information:
- First & Last Name: if your name is unique or complex, please spell it out in your message
- Phone Number
- E-mail Address
- Mailing Address
- Discipline (Theatre vs. Music Theatre)
- Your preferred audition date
- Any other information pertinent to your audition, including whether you plan to dance
GUIDELINES
FOR AUDITIONS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
1. Bring information about yourself, including name, address, phone number, and e-mail. Please
bring a résumé and, if you have one, a headshot. Letters of recommendation are always appropriate
and welcome.
2. For music theatre auditions, bring sheet music for the accompanist. Please make sure you
clearly mark your music as to where you will begin, end, and any cuts you may have. It is also
helpful to note any ‘cue’ lines, if you are going straight into singing from a monologue. Your music
must be in the correct key; the accompanist will NOT transpose on sight. Please make sure your
music has a stiff back so it will not curl or fall down on the piano. As you will have a limited time,
selections of an up-tempo song and a ballad are strongly recommended, instead of the full pieces.
3. Always select age appropriate pieces. Even if it takes a great deal of effort to find a piece that is
close to you in age, you really must. It is not appropriate for an entering student who is a teen or in
his/her early twenties, to present a middle-aged character. The demands of fine plays are
significant enough that we would ask that you do not add the challenge of presenting a person
whose life experiences far exceed your own (if not in emotional range, then simply in reasoning).
Please take this advice to heart.
4. Select pieces which you have rehearsed. An audition is not a good place to try something brand
new. Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare your piece before you show it.
5. Be sure your pieces really do CONTRAST each other. You may select classical to contrast your
contemporary piece. But also make sure that the characters in both pieces show a range in you.
6. Always wear clothes, and particularly shoes, that are flattering and support your work as an
actor. The new platform shoes are bulky and often inhibit movement. Your clothes should look
professional, yet allow you flexibility and assist the movement and physicality of your work.
7. Introduce your pieces with clarity, providing your name, the name of the character, the
playwright. Chances are that your auditors will be familiar with your selections, so you do not
need to provide contextual information from the play to preface your work.
8. Select a specific focus that DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AUDITORS. The auditors need to be
free to make notes during your performance.
9. Listen carefully to the directions you are given, if a director/auditor works with your piece.
Respond to the instructions you are given by making bold choices. The director/auditor wants to
know if you are able to actively listen and absorb information. He/she also wants to know if you
are able to create spontaneously and commit to a given choice.
10. Remember your time limit. In order to be respectful and mindful of the other students
auditioning, we will stick very closely to the audition time allotments. For Theatre, you are allowed
3 minutes for your two monologues. For Music Theatre, you are allowed 5 minutes for selections
from two monologues, an up-tempo, and a ballad. You will be allowed 1 additional minute if you
choose to dance. Please bring taped accompaniment for any dance pieces.
DOWNLOAD
THIS INFORMATION
TO PRINT
THEATRE AUDITION
INFORMATION (HTML)
GUIDELINES
FOR THEATRE AUDITIONS (PDF)
|
