I’ve read from a couple unofficial sources that there’s a lot of auditions held during this week, but the only ones that I’ve been able to verify are the auditions for voice lessons. I’m going to be a theatre major, and I’d like to audition for the musical theatre certification (which I know is at the end of freshmen and beginning of sophomore year) but I’ve heard there’s a musical theatre class to prepare you for this that you have to audition for? Also, do you auditions for shows and such in the first week? Basically, what auditions are there for a theatre major the first couple weeks and can you give me a link on their website where it says them. I’ve looked and haven’t been able to find anything, and I’d rather not show up completely unprepared. Thank you!
Edit: I’ve now gathered that the musical theatre certification auditions are at the beginning of freshman and sophomore year. So does anyone have a link or any information on what this audition requires?
Our D is a senior MT and I’d ask her but she’s in rehearsals in downtown Chicago all day. As I recall, the MT auditions now happen much earlier, as you say, but not sure exactly when they will be next year. I think D’s year they needed a couple songs (not sure if they were cuts or full songs), a monologue and there was a dance component to the audition, plus I think there may have been an essay. Both VP majors and Theatre majors could audition. This was four years ago, though, so you may want to call the department and ask how it will work next year. Some of the MT faculty are about to head to NYC for Senior Showcase, so you may want to call this week or the week after next.
There also used to be a cappella auditions (which I highly recommend) plus auditions for Fall shows during Wildcat Welcome week, but some of that may also have changed.
I would definitely arrive with (a COPY of) your MT Book, at least one pop song and a few prepared monologues to be on the safe side.
Some auditions take place in WW, but most are in the first few weeks of fall quarter, some even into further of it.
They’re trying to make Wildcat Welcome more chill for the students, so I doubt that any auditions will be happening this time around.
Hey, I’m a theatre major, so I’ll answer your questions:
First off, the musical theatre certificate audition happens at the end of fall quarter freshman year. They have stopped allowing sophomores to join the program, so it is basically a one-and-done situation for the MT certificate. A lot of people auditioned this year and not a ton of people got it and were very disappointed, so just know that going in. That being said, you can still get essentially the same training if you talk with the right people in the voice department.
There are two options starting in the beginning of fall quarter freshman year when it comes to MT training, and you can do either, both, or neither. First off, there are vocal and dance placements the first week or so of freshman year. The vocal placements are to put you in the right category for PRIVATE voice lessons (either group lessons, lessons with a graduate student, or lessons with a Beinen professor). These voice lessons DO NOT count as part of the MT certificate. They also cost extra money in addition to tuition. This vocal placement is just to get you at the right level for private training. Dance placements are pretty laid back, and they are just to get you at the right level for dance classes (modern, ballet, and I think jazz/tap, although I am not sure). Almost everyone gets placed into the 1 level class, so you don’t even really have to go unless you’ve had a lot of dance training. The second option for vocal training for the fall is the freshman MT seminar. There are two classes, and they are non-credit courses that are held once a week during fall quarter freshman year. You just sign up on a bulletin board in the theatre building. It is taught by Kelli, who is one of the panelists during MT auditions. She is incredibly helpful, and it is just a basics level class where you work on technique in a safe environment. It does not cost any extra money.
In terms of other auditions, there are no auditions for groups or shows during Wildcat Welcome so that you can just enjoy the school and get adjusted. After Wildcat Welcome, it’s a bit of a frenzy with a capella group auditions, dance group auditions, and show auditions. Your PA will tell you all about it during Welcome Week, so don’t worry about it now! Just have a two minute audition monologue (or two one minute monologues), a 16 bar song for musical auditions, and a song or two you feel comfortable singing a capella for a capella auditions and you’ll be fine. There also are petitions for FBRs (freshman board representatives) for the different theatre boards during the middle of fall quarter. Again, don’t worry, this will ALL be explained to you by your PA.
@NUCat2018 - Thanks so much for adding more current information. Even as a parent but I learned a lot about how things are working now from your post. Hope you have a great Spring Break!
Speaking of WW, apparently it will be much longer next year. I wonder what they have in store 