<p>Back from the first Ball State audition of the season…in the spirit of paying it forward, here’s a little info on how the day went for prospectives (at least today’s group!).</p>
<p>This is a very welcoming place, and thought is given to being sure that prospective students have all questions answered, know where to go, etc. This audition day included MT, acting, dance majors and minors, theatre education, theatre tech… At checkin, kiddo was given her number for dance, and the accompaniest checked her music to make sure they understood her cuts. There were current students mingling to answer questions, talk about the program, etc – a nice touch.</p>
<p>All the kids and families were led upstairs, where there was a short demo from MT (the opening number of “Company” – currently playing, and which we’d seen the night before…nicely done) and excerpts from the ballet company’s Nutcracker. There were also theatre games w/the auditionees. Parents were led to a classroom with several students and faculty to have questions answered, and the dance call began upstairs.</p>
<p>Kiddo said that MT and dance majors were together for the dance call. (Acting and the other prospective majors were led off to interviews, etc.) They were taught a short jazz combination, which they then demonstrated in groups of 4, a tap combination, and then did ballet barre. At that point, MT hopefuls were given a chance to change and taken to the theatre green room, where they had time to warm up, then auditioned (song and monologue) on stage. She was asked to sing both of her songs, and if she’d applied/been admitted to the University yet (yes to both). Said there were 7 or 8 auditors out in the house. Only bummer was that she had a very hard time hearing her pianist.</p>
<p>Students will be informed of artistic decisions at the end of the audition season. They will accept 32 total in acting and musical theatre BFA option (so 16 MT/16 acting, pretty much split among genders). A late lunch in the cafeteria on our own, and we were on our way.</p>