Hi there!
My daughter and I have just returned from a two week road trip looking at colleges, and AU is at the top of her list. She fell in love with it. We took a tour and afterward had a great talk with one of the other tour guides who is going to be a senior and is majoring in theater.
He told her that she would be required to come back for auditions as a part of the application process. Is there anyone on this thread who can shed some light on auditions for theater or who are involved in the theater department? Would love to know how you like it, any application tips, etc…
Thanks much!
@rokkahulababy I am a parent of a freshman Musical Theater student at AU. I believe both the theater and musical theater programs are audition based. They are BA degrees - which was what my child wanted because she wants the ability to be able to double major with something else (Journalism or Entertainment Business), have a liberal arts education, and study abroad. Auditions are in February - I honestly have to say they were my (and her) favorite auditions. There were a lot of students helping out and they were so gracious in speaking to her, answering her questions. They had a breakfast spread laid out - no one else does that! When her acceptance packet arrived, there was a separate letter from the head of performing arts indicating she was accepted into the MT program, as well as a feedback sheet on her audition. I believe she prepared 1 or 2 songs plus a monologue. She worked with her usual vocal coach, there was no video pre-screen requirement so everyone who wanted to audition made the trip to DC. It was actually our first and only time at the campus. AU is not known for its performing arts program, but it is a true gem - so far she is loving it there. All her classes are small (even gen eds), taught by professors (not TAs), and there is a great theater scene in DC and Northern VA. The most important question your daughter should ask herself before even considering this school is if she is looking for a BA or BFA program. There are VERY few schools that offer BA in Musical Theater, there are more straight up BA Theater programs. BFAs are a whole other conversation and AU is not the place if that is what she is looking for.
Thank you so much for taking the time, sorry for the late reply. Your daughter sounds like mine, after touring several schools with BFA and BA offerings, she thinks a BA would be much more desirable because she would have some freedom to study abroad and minor in something else, as well as experience the whole school. She isn’t a MT student, just straight theater. AU is a frontrunner for her, we’re hoping there will be an acceptance and financial aid so we can make it happen for her! I hope everything worked out for your daughter this fall, take care.