<p>I got a phone call today from the Hartt School to confirm my audition date and because they needed to ask me a question about my application.</p>
<p>They said that this year they will have a callback the last 20 minutes of the hour. I was told that this callback was neither good or bad, it was just because the auditioners didn’t feel that they saw enough of the applicant in the regular allotted audition time. I don’t know if during this callback they will ask applicants to sing another song, sing their full songs, do scales or work with their monologues. I was just told that it means nothing if you get called back. It doesn’t mean that you’re definitely in the program nor does it mean that you’re definitely not in the program. They just want to see more of you.</p>
<p>I just wanted to pass this info along to other people auditioning so no one is taken by surprise or worried or anything.</p>
<p>The callback is to read "sides"- they give out a brief reading (one page) from a script that you read with another person (I think a current student). You have a chance to look at the reading for a few minutes before the callback.</p>
<p>My D auditioned on campus on 12/2. About half of the 14 auditionees in the afternoon group were also given a short scene at the end of their auditions, to prepare for a callback. (Again, we're not sure what the callback meant, positive or negative.) The reading was about a page of dialogue, copied from a book. They went in for their individual callbacks after everyone in the group had finished their prepared music/ monologue auditions. My D had more than an hour to learn the new piece, which seemed to be plenty of time. She found a quite corner to practice and still had extra time.</p>
<p>This was my D's first audition, and she was relieved to find the atmosphere very relaxed and informal. Current Hartt students were mingling with the parents and students throughout the afternoon to answer questions and keep things low-key, as well as shuttling the auditionees to each part of the audition.</p>
<p>From what I heard, the most challenging part of the whole audition was the dance portion. Last year's posters mentioned a Fossey-esque combination performed to music from West Side story, and it appears that Hartt is using it for this year's dance audition as well. There was also barre and floor work. The dance audition was challenging for my D, who has had only some ballet training, but everyone was made to feel comfortable. The kids came back breathless, and smiling.</p>
<p>Parents had question and answer session with admissions staff while the kids were dancing. After the kids changed, there was a music theory test for placement only.</p>
<p>My D says that she felt very comfortable as soon as she entered the room with the 3 panel members and the accompanist. She claims that it felt like her high school auditions! After doing her selections, she was given an opportunity for questions about the program. Overall, the faculty and staff were responsive and warm, the students friendly and supportive. It was a long afternoon for those of us in the waiting room, but a very positive experience.</p>
<p>mizlyn, I am glad you found the audition process a good one. My daughter graduated from Hartt last May as a musical theater major and had a great college experience there. The dance program was very good and the dance shows they did, especially Crazy for You last December was amazing. I was fortunate to see all the shows she was in during the 4 years and the direction and choreography was top notch. Good luck with your daughters college search.</p>
<p>HarttMom, what is your daughter doing now? My D was especially impressed with the vocals in Sweeney Todd last year, but we haven't had a chance to see any of the dance shows. </p>
<p>Enjoy your audition, Sporti. My D will be watching the mailslot after Jan. 2. to see how her audition actually went!</p>
<p>My daughter moved back to California and is part of a new theater company that her former voice teacher recently started. She is also working as a waiter and got hired to cast, direct and choreograph "High School Musical" at a local school. She will be looking for auditions in the spring in Los Angeles. Her boyfriend, also a Hartt 2006 graduate (Actor Training) moved out here and has been doing some film work. He got to shoot a couple of weeks on the new "Oceans 13" film, just shot an indie film and is in rehersal for a play locally. They recently shot an audition tape as a couple for a new reality show and have submitted it to the network along with hundreds of other people. They both realize what a competitive field they have chosen but are anxious to pursue it. I think any kid, by the time he/she is facing college and deciding to major in theater, understands the challenges of getting work once he/she graduates. You have to give them credit for remaining true to a dream! </p>
<p>You mentioned you saw Sweeney Todd. Joel, the boy who played the lead, did summer stock with my daughter in Pennslyvania in 2005. They had a blast and have remained close. There were actually 4 Hartt students hired for the summer that lived in residence in the theater with students from various other universities, it was a great experience and they all made what will be lifelong friends. They did "Chicago", "Footloose", "A Funny Thing...Forum" and "Grease" for the summer season. A lot of the students do summer stock during their college stint. Wherever your daughter ends up, good luck to her, she will have a blast!</p>
<p>Thanks for a view of life after college. Auditioning for a BFA program may be nerve-wracking, but handling life after graduation is the real test. It sounds like your D really hit the ground running, which speaks well of Hartt's program. It also shows that she knows that nobody is going to hand her a job - she's using her connections and taking the initiative to create opportunities for herself. This kind of story is so important for the kids (and their parents) who are just starting to think about a theatre major. It's going to take courage from all of us.</p>
<p>I spoke to a MT girl in the admissions office today, and she gave me more info about the callback system:</p>
<p>She said (like others) it's neither good nor bad. She made the statement that it is for "people who didn't 'ace' their audition and the panel needs a better idea of what they can do". For example, if you messed up some lines in your monologue, they may ask you to come back and do it again, or something. She said some will be given sides, some not. </p>
<p>I was also informed that there is NO DANCE AUDITION AT UNIFIEDS. It has been too complicated in past year to schedule with so many kids and so many auditions, so they're doing away with it at Unifieds. Anyone accepted from a Unified site will do a placement audition if they choose to attend Hartt.</p>
<p>The audition/interview should last about 8 minutes. At the end of that time the faculty will say whether or not they'd like to see you for callbacks -- so you are informed IN the audition, there's no list posted or anything. Callbacks are the last 20 minutes of every hour.</p>
<p>Decisions for Hartt are made mid-March and letters are sent mid-April, she said.</p>
<p>SO! That's my new info on Hartt. Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>I heard a rumor about there being no dance audition at Hartt and I'm soooo glad that it's true!!! IMHO if it is just for placement purposes, then they should just do away with it at the auditions. I understand why they have it at some auditions, if you're a great dancer it will only help you, which then would make their "only for placement" statement techincally be innacurate. A lot of people at UArts who had to do their songs and monologues immediately following their auditions were complaining because their breathing was completely out of whack, their throat was dry, etc. So their singing wasn't as up to par as it usually would be.</p>
<p>As someone who is not a dancer, no matter how many classes I take in college and when I get out into the real world, I will never be as good as someone who has been dancing since she was 3 or 4. Guys have it easier since many can turn even pro after only studying it in college. It's one thing I like about NYU, they usually don't have a dance audition accept for those who are advanced. To me that makes sense.</p>
<p>Sorry for this little "rant"...I just feel that those who aren't dancers are at an unspoken disadvantage in this process.</p>
<p>on hartt's website it says there's a dance audition at unifieds, but it doesn't say that on the confirmation letter, so I'm just assuming there isn't now. if there is....erm....it's just not clear.</p>
<p>I auditioned at the unifieds 2/4 also! it went well. I got a call back along with I believe 3 others. I heard one of the girls and she was wiicked good. 2 days after my audition I found out i had mono!! sooo im hoping it didnt effect my audition!</p>