<p>So I'm auditioning for CITS and I was wondering if anyone who has auditioned can tell me what it's like. I know the basics, like how long you get for your monologues and your song, but what are the people like, how is the interview, that sort of thing. Can anyone help?</p>
<p>Hey jrose –</p>
<p>I don’t really post here anymore (I’m a college grad now), but someone emailed me knowing that I had been to CITS and asked if I wouldn’t mind answering.</p>
<p>It’s very very low key. Colin O’Leary will most likely be watching your audition (he is the head of the program), but sometimes Tedd Mann does as well (he started the program – if you don’t know who he is, google him. He’s pretty amazing). You will enter through the Box Office doors (like you’re going in to see a show in the theatre) and go down two sets of stairs into a lobby with lockers. There are bathrooms in the lobby if you need them – go before you’re taken downstairs. They will bring you down with a few others into a “holding” type room (in a classroom), and encourage you to do whatever you need to do to warm up. The interview is very informal and is the kind of questions you would expect: “Why do you like our program?”, etc. The people are all extremely kind and willing to answer any questions you might have. The office workers (David and Virginia are the main two, then they usually have a student working there as well) are so helpful and will answer ANYTHING, and if there are students around don’t feel shy about asking them questions.</p>
<p>If you are doing the audition in NYC you will be in CITS’s facilities – if not, then I don’t really know where they do their auds. Don’t be surprised that they are not glitzy and may seem a little run-down when you first arrive. Don’t let that deter you or color your view of CITS’s training. It’s a truly amazing program with brilliant teachers and it will change your life. </p>
<p>One tip: make sure that your accompaniment (I’m assuming the still make you bring it on CD) works in several different CD players. I used a burned CD and tried my accompaniment in one CD player and then it didn’t work when I got to Circle. Colin just let me sing my song acappella, which was fine, and he said that it isn’t uncommon that auditioners’ CDs won’t work. There was a piano in the room so I played the first few chords so as not be worried about my starting pitch.</p>
<p>I hope your audition goes well! The program is amazing and you couldn’t be auditioning for kinder, more supportive people.</p>
<p>Sporti, that was a really great detailed answer. My D auditioned for CITS in March while she was visiting NYC and she described the audition process exactly as you described. She said it was a very relaxed and informal audition. She was asked similar questions and said that everyone was very friendly and helpful. She was accepted for the 7-week MT summer program and hopefully she will have as great of a learning experience as you did. </p>
<p>jrose17, break a leg!</p>
<p>Katsmom – the summer program is absolutely fantastic and I have no doubt that she will find it a life-changing summer. Encourage her to take advantage of all the opportunities Circle offers in free tickets, “locker duty” if there’s a show playing then (she’ll learn about this), and everything else in the city. Get ready to be on Circle overload for the summer and several months after. She will be working with some of the greatest teachers I’ve ever encountered.</p>
<p>Update: D attended the 7 week summer program and as Sporti2005 said above, it was truly “life-changing.” Can’t say enough positive things about CITS. Amazing experience and very well worth it.</p>