Auditioning for Drama and Musical Theatre

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>I'm a high school junior and though I'm entirely certain that I want to pursue an education in drama, my life's passion is musical theatre. I also feel that I do my best acting work when I'm singing and might be more likely to get into a musical theatre program than one for drama. Might it be a mistake to audition for both musical theatre and drama at a single school? I'm concerned that my adjudicators might think that I'm not fully dedicated to one or the other. </p>

<p>NYU is my top choice because I would literally give my right arm to study with Steven Wangh and the other masters at the Experimental Theatre Wing. Though it might seem odd, my second choice would be Cap21 because the only thing that inspires me more than experimentation in the theatrical process is music. If Cap21 is not my top choice, can I still do a musical audition? Might it hurt my chances for ETW, my dream?</p>

<p>I'm also concerned about how to present my other work in the theatre. As the founder of a youth theatre company, I've directed three musicals and one play during my high school career. Though I'm not going to apply to any directing programs (saving that for graduate school), is there any way I can present my directing portfolio as part of my acting audition? Directing, acting, and writing is all one beast to me (it's why I enjoy experimental theatre so much) and I think that my work in one speaks volumes about my work in the other.</p>

<p>I'm also curious what sort of grades are required for acceptance to NYU. Might they overlook poorer scores if a student gives a superior audition? What kind of SAT scores are they looking for? etc.</p>

<p>Thank you all, and I'm sorry for writing such a lengthy post!</p>

2

<p>Also, if anyone could describe their or their child's audition at any school (specifically at NYU and Juilliard) it would be greatly appreciated. How was the room set up? Was there are group warm up? Were other students present during the audition? How many were auditioning? What sort of things were people wearing? etc.</p>

3

<p>At alot of schools, you can audition for Musical Theatre and be considered for Acting at the same time. I know this is true for Carnegie, NYU, Syracuse (other posters can add to this list). Furthermore, as someone who applied to both directing programs and other theatre programs: Yes - you should bring your directing portfolio with you. I was accepted to BU, which does not offer a directing option, but rather just a general Performance major the first year (then you choose either Acting or Theatre Studies soph year), and I believe a big reason they accepted me was because of my directing portfolio. All of these schools are looking for kids with lots to offer - directing talent on top of performance ability is a great bonus in the eyes of these programs. </p>

<p>I've heard it said (not to quote Stephen Schwartz or anything) that NYU weighs grades & audition 50/50. I think that Tisch gives you a score and undergrad admissions gives you a score and that score together determines whether or not you're admitted.</p>

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<p>Reno, I can tell you how Tisch auditions go but since my D was accepted E.D., she cancelled her other auditions so I'm not familiar personally with other schools. My D made the decision when she applied and auditioned for college to go the straight drama route. She'd gone to an arts h/s and had been involved in MT, as well as straight drama, for year. She had voice and dance lessons, piano and acting, as well. For her, college was the time to concentrate on acting. The day she auditioned some of the kids there also auditioned for CAP21. The way the day was structured was that when we arrived, we met in the lobby of, I believe, the third floor at Tisch. We signed in, had a brief discussion as to the scheduling, then all proceeded to go into the mini-theatre where the auditions would take place. Parents and students then listened to Arthur Bartow and Laura Levine talk about Tisch. After their information session, there was a Q & A.</p>

<p>When that was finished, the kids were called in one at a time to audition. They did their monologues, songs (if CAP21 was to be considered), and then there was an interview portion. From what I can remember, the entire process took several hours, depending what 'place' you were in line to go in. There was no group warm-up. I believe there were ten in her block of time. Most were wearing nice comfy clothes. Nothing fancy. None of the girls were wearing skirts.</p>

<p>As far as bringing other materials to the audition, unless things have changed, they won't look at it. One girl brought something additional that day and was told that they would not have time to consider any other materials. I know that the admissions office, also, will not look at extraneous materals which are submitted. What you do need that day is a photo and an artistic resume. These are to be handed in to the auditors.</p>

<p>Admission is based 50% on the artistic review and 50% on the academic review. Basically, they're looking for students who would qualify for NYU academically, just like any other applicant, and then who is also artistically talented. My D's experience has been that most of her studio and classmates are excellent academic students as well. Many are double majoring so with that kind of workload, they'd have to be. Of course, there will be exceptions but I know that the majority of students in the drama program are successful academically as well as artistically. This information was conveyed to us on more than one occasion by admissions and Tisch staff when we visited and when she auditioned. That year the Tisch SAT scores were second only to Stern's. If you have any specific questions, perhaps I can put you in touch with my D.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your responses, BriarBrad and AlwaysaMom.</p>

<p>Which studio is your daughter in, AlwaysaMom? Also, when she auditioned, was she asked which studio is her top choice?</p>

<p>If you wound't mind, perhaps, putting me in contact with your daughter, I would greatly appreciate it. If you're interested, my email address is <a href="mailto:BWay24601@hotmail.com">BWay24601@hotmail.com</a>. Thank you!</p>

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<p>Reno, you're welcome. I PM'd you my D's email address because I'm not sure she'd appreciate me posting it here in the forum. :) Yes, they asked her studio choice on audition day. Atlantic was her choice and that's where she is.</p>

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<p>Reno--</p>

<p>It's great that you already know what you want to do-- you seem to be well versed in the field, which is great. I know WAY too many people that are going into theatre/drama that have no idea what they're getting into. </p>

<p>I auditioned for both Tisch and Juilliard this year, so I'll do what I can to relate those experiences to you.</p>

<p>First, Juilliard. I auditioned in New York, which I imagine is a very different experience than auditioning elsewhere. </p>

<p>You have to understand that there is NO "musical theatre" program at the school. However, they do offer voice which I'll get into later. </p>

<p>You enter into the Lincoln Centre, register and then wait in the lobby. The staff at the check-in were very friendly, well informed and helpful. They then call in the group of auditioners. There are maybe about one hundred people per morning or afternoon session. You are herded into an elevator with a bunch of people all equally as nervous and/or excited as you are. I found the other auditioners to be extremely friendly. You are then brought up to a fairly narrow but long floor with studios and rooms. They divide the auditioners up into two groups-- A-M and N-Z. You wait for a while before the admissions officer comes to give you a speech about the day, and some students are also there to speak. You are then brought into a larger room where the director of the Drama division introduces himself and the department and answers any questions you may have. He is very friendly, funny and pleasant, and I found everyone was very much put at ease after he spoke. He then leads you in a group warmup. We did a vocal warmup, some mime and movement, and ended in a three minute silent physicalization of the environment of one of our characters before he/she begins to speak. I found the process to be very relaxing and it very much put me at ease. </p>

<p>After the group warmup, you go back to the Alphabet Rooms where you are assigned an audition time. Here is how the time slots work:</p>

<p>There are several rooms, each with three members on each panel, all members of the faculty. I believe I had a Mask instructor, a voice instructor and an acting instructor. Outside of each room is a student monitor who is there to answer any questions you may have about the school or the program. </p>

<p>There were probably about 15 students helping out with the auditions. I couldn't sing their praises enough. They were gracious, incredibly friendly, sincere, humourous, approachable and truly interested in each auditioner. They made everyone comfortable and right at home. My impression of the school skyrocketed after meeting the students. I'm not sure where the snooty, pretentious Juilliard stereotype comes from, because it certainly could not have been from the students I met. With regards to voice-- my monitor was rejected from CMU MT but was thrilled with Juilliard because he said he's recieved the best singing instruction he could possibly get from the faculty. </p>

<p>Anyway, you are required to stay in the Alphabet Rooms until you're in the hole, in baseball speak. You then go to your assigned audition room and wait with the student monitor, who, when your time comes, opens the door for you and introduces you to the panel. </p>

<p>I found all my panel members (who sat behind a table) to be very pleasant and friendly. We had a brief chat about where I was from, why I wanted to do Drama, etc, then I performed my pieces. You can also choose to save the chat until the end-- you just have to alert the monitor beforehand. The audition rooms vary hugely, but mine was a very large windowed room. They give you an X to stand on. </p>

<p>From then on, it varies for everyone. I didn't have to do anything else, some have to sing, some are asked to do their pieces again, some are sent out and then asked back in to do something else, etc. </p>

<p>From there, it's just wait, wait, wait for the callback list. In my session of about 100, only four were called back, so you'll have to find someone who was called back to explain that experience!</p>

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<p>I think I was about to run out of room in that other post, so I thought I'd make a fresh one for Tisch. I apologize for the length, but I know I would have loved a more detailed description of the process when I was auditioning, so I'm doing this for people who feel the same.</p>

<p>One last note-- of all the auditions I went to, Juilliard was one of, if not THE friendliest, most well organized and most fun. Ignore any prior stigma about the school, because I have no idea where it comes from. </p>

<p>Tisch has already been explained quite well, so I'll be less detailed with this one. I auditioned for drama, but the process is quite similar to MT.</p>

<p>Again, the building is elevatored and you make your way up to a hallway. I'm not exactly sure what the building is used for regularly, but there were other auditions (for Carousel, it seems, as I heard people talking about Carrie and Mr. Snow!) You find a fairly small classroom-sized room and sit down in the chairs provided. We had a really fun, nice alumni as the room monitor person, who was very friendly when asked questions. You wait a while, then are invited to check in, where you fill out a short questionnaire which, if I remember correctly, is the standard info plus information on your pieces, and I believe you also indicate your studio requests on this form. After a while, three faculty members come in. We had a member of the liberal arts/ theatre history faculty, a Danish mask teacher (the guy was Danish, not the masks!) and a woman who I would love to call Eleanor, but only because she looks exactly like an instructor I once had with that name. They explain the studios, the academic curriculum and answer any questions. After this, the student monitor guy explains how the day is to work. You are assigned one of the three faculty members to audition for (yep-- only one!), based on how early you scheduled your artistic review. There is no warmup space save the room you are in, so be prepared and come warmed up. I was one of only two people that got up and stretched a little, so you may feel silly if you're warming up and no one else is. </p>

<p>They ask that you check in and out with the monitor, so it is very efficient. They have someone waiting "on deck" outside the audition rooms at all times. On my audition day, there were two audition rooms beside each other, and then another a floor above. I'd made friends with a guy as I was sitting in the warmup room, and we ended up being "on deck" in rooms beside each other, so it was nice to have someone there. You are then called into the rooms. The woman I had was very friendly and welcoming, and immediately put me at ease. She had me introduce myself and my pieces (two contrasting contemporary monologues), and then had me perform them. The room was small and carpeted, and she sat at a desk in front of me. She chuckled and sometimes laughed out loud during my tragicomic piece, which threw me off somewhat, but it was nice to get some sort of response. </p>

<p>I think the interview portion differs for everyone. I know people that were in and out of the interview in five minutes, and others that were in there for quite some time. Looking back, I feel that I was part of the latter half. She asked me about the theatre community where I lived, about what my favourite classes are, about why I wanted to study at the studios I did, etc. At one point (this is my favourite audition story from this year), I started talking about my drama teacher, role model, improv coach, etc. and started crying-- and I'm very much NOT the type to do so. The auditioner let me cry it out and was wonderfully considerate. I felt that, at least with my auditioner, she really took the time to speak with me in a very friendly, conversational sort of way. I left, went, "Wow. That was weird", and signed out. </p>

<p>Hopefully that helped you out a little bit. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I had very pleasant experiences at both schools, and I hope you do too!</p>

<p>Break limbs!</p>

<p>*--Rachel</p>

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<p>When I auditioned for Tisch, things were slightly different. Mine was in the Catholic Center, on the South side of the square. When I got there, there was a whole line of people sitting in the hallway on the second floor. I joined the line. A little bit later we were let into a room where there were a whole bunch of Chairs set up. We filled out our forms and then Laura Levine and another woman who's name I've forgotten talked to us, and we got to ask questions if we had them Then the let us into a quite comfortable room down the hall where there were couches and stuff to wait till it was our turn. They spilt us up into two groups for the audition, randomly, as far as I can tell. Within your group, you went in the order you signed up for the audition. The room was one large room, with one of those accordion room dividers that splits the room in two, so you could hear a little bit of what the person in the other room was doing, especially if they were singing. There were two chairs for me to use if I wanted to and a table where she (I was auditioned by Laura Levine) sat. I asked if I could take my shoes off and she said sure. Then I did my monologues. Afterwards, she had me pull up a chair and asked me three questions. One of them was which studio I wanted and why. We talked about which Studio she thought of when she was watching me. At the end she asked if there was anything else I wanted to say. I wore a skirt, but not a super dressy skirt or anything. I've heard of people having a musical theatre audition and then requesting a different studio, but I don't really know anything about it. On my resume I listed the acting, directed and tech stuff I've done. I was two pages long, but I figure that for a college audition completeness is more important than brevity. It worked for me, I got in. Anyways, best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>sepember and wakenda -</p>

<p>Thank you for these most informative posts! I have printed them out and will share your experiences with my D. (junior in HS) Now that the dust is settling - these are really interesting to read!</p>

<p>A BIG thank you to all who have gone before us!!</p>

<p>janenw</p>

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<p>I really appreciate these responses. What a great help!</p>

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<p>My daughter did an ED last year for Tisch and is currently a freshman. When her father set the audition up he thought she was still on for MT, as she had attended Northwestern's Cherub summer program for both drama and MT; however, she let him know after the audition had been set that she had told me (her mom) that she wanted straight drama. Needless to say, she had to stick with the MT audition as NYU at the time would not change the audition. Well, it all worked out. She was straightforward with her auditor, who was wonderful. She prepared her music, reminded us how she really hadn't planned on auditioning in this manner, went to NYC in November and had a great audition. As I mentioned above she was truthful with the auditor, explaining that she was most interested in drama and did not wish to be considered for CAP21; however, after her audition the auditor asked her what she thought about the Strasberg Studio as there is a bit more singing there than at the other studios. My d said that sounded great as she was very interested in Method acting. </p>

<p>Well, a few weeks later and she received her letter of acceptance and studio assignment of Strasberg. She has loved every day she has been attending NYU. It is quite obvious to both of us as her parents that this has been a wonderful fit for her. The group that she is in at Strasberg is nothing short of stellar. What I find most telling is that she is constantly talking about how talented everyone is in her group, rather than being overly caught up in her own place. It has been a wonderful collaborative experience for her and she has done incredibly well grade-wise and from a social perspective also. She has so many wonderful new friends. As parents we couldn't have asked for a better program.
If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail me.</p>

<p>Good Luck
Theatredivasmom</p>

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<p>Reno and janenw-</p>

<p>Sorry about forgetting the logistics of my D's ED audition at Tisch back in Dec of 2003. Her auditions were held at the Catholic Center and were incredibly well done. I felt like the auditors did as much as they could possibly do to keep all of the prospective students as relaxed as possible. It was a highly positive experience and environment.</p>

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<p>RenoSweeneyTodd,
(I love that screen name!) My d sounds very similar to you so let me tell you how she approached it. She auditioned for 4 schools that offered MT and BFA ACting and they all said she would be considered for both but she should indicate a preference (and she indicated MT) She did not get accepted to any of them (well, one waitlisted her for Acting). I think in retrospect she didn't stand much of a chance getting considered for acting while doing an MT audition because at every school the audition requirements were different for acting vs. MT. Usually more time/focus on the monologues for acting and obviously no singing. (although one BFA acting program did have kids sing a capella.)</p>

<p>Maybe her experience was an anomaly but I would wonder if when theater depts see MT and then acting as a second choice, they might ponder how committed the student is to acting. To further support this theory, she did get accepted to MT to a program that is only MT, no BFA acting major, and she also got accepted to BU's acting program which is where she attends.</p>

<p>Re academics and audition being weighted in the decision, my D did not even apply to NYU because a drama dept person there said 3 years ago "if you don't have the grades and SAT's, the admissions office won't take you." But I know a girl who got into Tisch last year with SAT's in the 1100's. My D's grades and leadership were great but her SAT's were below BU's averages and she got in, I think on the strength of her audition.</p>

<p>I'm not advocating that you don't try to pursue both MT and Acting auditions but perhaps you could sprinkle a few acting only auditions in there to hedge your bets.</p>

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<p>Can someone explain Cap-21's audition process. I'm confused..Do you just audition for Tisch or are there seperate auditions for Cap-21?</p>

<p>thanks, amy</p>

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<p>Amy, you audition for Tisch but you specify which studio you are trying for or most interested in. IF you want CAP21, then singing is part of the audition, though you still could be placed into an acting studio instead. If you are only trying out for acting studios, you do not sing as part of the audition. At your audition, you are allowed to state that you would only accept admission to CAP, but no other studio, but you are encouraged to stipulate a second and third choice studio (which is what my child did in the RD auditions but had she applied ED, she would have stated CAP only). Further, IF you are an advanced/experienced dancer, you can sign up for an audition date that includes the optional dance audition (there were two dates in the ED round and two in Feb. in the RD round)....stay aware of deadlines by the way to get a slot for this audition if you want one....and so that is an option to show dance skills and only those trying for CAP21 were at that audition date...though they still might have been placed (if admitted) into another studio. Hope that helps.
Susan</p>

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<p>In case it's not clear, you CAN get into CAP21 with NO dance audition. Had it been required, they would have laughed my d out of NYC... love her dearly, but a dancer, she ain't.... :)</p>

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<p>there's another round of auditions at ocu this weekend. anyone who's going there or auditioned there have any tips or suggestions. i already know how classically oriented they are. but, any thoughts would be helpful. thanks,</p>

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<p>thanks so much for the clarification. I was confused about the whole thing. Is your D going to be attending Cap 21? :)</p>

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<p>mrsark87, are these late auditions done every year at OCU? I don't recall hearing about them in previous years and was wondering why they're doing them so late. It seems kind of unusual unless maybe they weren't able to fill their spots and are hoping that some of the kids who didn't get in elsewhere might decide to audition?</p>