In Preparation for your Pace Audition

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Some helpful info compiled from previous audition dates:</p>

<ol>
<li>you MUST MUST MUST read the email confirmation you receive. There’s important information in there that you should be aware of. For your convenience, I am going to list it here as well: </li>
</ol>

<p>a. for the audition fee we DO NOT ACCEPT CASH. Check or Money Order Only. It is a university policy. A lot of people show up with cash and then we have to send them to various locations to get a money order - save yourself a trip and read the email! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>b. you should have with you a Photo, Resume, Brief Statement, and 2 letters of Recommendation. Please Note: For the MT audition, you only need to bring ONE copy of each item (save paper!). If you happen to be auditioning for the Acting Program as well, bring two copies. </p>

<ol>
<li>Your music. On our website we have music guidelines that read as: </li>
</ol>

<p>-You will have an accompanist
-Have your songs in a binder – not in a book or loose leaf.
-Your accompanist will not change keys or play from a lead sheet.
-No a capella singing.</p>

<p>In addition to that, I would like to give a few pointers. Place the songs in your binder at the front and in order. It will help the accompanist transition from one to the other instead of searching through your whole book. Also, while it is important to bring other options in case the auditors want to hear more, it is unnecessary to bring a 2-inch binder FULL of music. Bring your ten (or less) best, contrasting pieces that show you off in the best light.</p>

<p>Also, make sure your cuts are clear. The accompanist will go over it with you but write it out in the music - the last thing you want is for your audition to not go right when there is an easy solution. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Dress professionally! It makes you look better and will probably make you feel better too. No UGGS, no sweatpants, avoid jeans if possible, etc etc etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Arriving early is necessary. If the audition is supposed to start at 10, show up at 930. You may have to change for dance, and you definitely have paperwork to fill out. On that same note, you dont need to show up incredibly early either. We start setting up for the auditions at 8:30 AM to start registering at 9:15. You dont need to see us setting up - its boring I swear! </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I think thats it. Some of these (1.) are things you NEED to follow and are specific to Pace, the others are just my personal suggestions based on several years of experience with these auditions and the general audition process (as SM, AD, Director, etc). They are just guidelines to help you. If you have any other questions, please feel free to comment or message me.</p>

2

<p>My daughter auditioned a couple of weeks ago, both for BFA in acting and in musical theater. She got a rejection letter last week that is somewhat ambiguous. We can’t tell if it is for acting only, or for the MT BFA, too. Will a separate letter be sent for musical theater?</p>

3

<p>Our daughter auditioned for both BFA MT and BFA Acting the weekend of Jan. 30. She received a short rejection letter early last week that was clearly from the MT program. We assume she’s still being considered for the acting programs.</p>

4

<p>20090Wal: i had the same issue. my letter said i wouldnt be offered admission to the “Theatre Program” but i auditioned for both BFA Acting and BFA MT. but i called and the man said that it meant for both.</p>

<p>Zonamom: what did your letter say? how did you know it was clearly for MT?</p>

5

<p>The letter read:</p>

<p>"Thank you for auditioning for the Pace University Musical Theater major.</p>

<p>The dept of perf arts committee has reviewed and evaluated your audition. We have a large number of applicants and a limited number of spaces. After serious consideration, we regret that we cannot offer you admission into the major."</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>I’ve shortened it a bit, but that’s the jist of it. I guess we should call and see whether that means she’s still being considered for the acting programs.</p>

6

<p>ohh then i would assume you’re still in the running for the acting. =] but you could call just to be sure</p>

7

<p>My D received same letter Zonamom…I called… they said it meant for all of the theater depts! They were short and sassy about it too. I personally was happy, I did not have a good feel for the college when we were there at the auditions, very unorganized. Some of the auditors were curt as well.</p>

8

<p>At my son’s audition during the presentation the woman who was the head of the department kept texting on stage during the presentation!!! We decided right then that Pace was off our list!</p>

9

<p>We sent an email to Pace and were told that our daughter was still in consideration for acting, and that a separate letter would be sent when those results were known. It would be nice if the MT rejection letter mentioned that an acting decision was yet to come, and it would probably save Pace a lot of nervous emails and phone calls. Our letter seemed very clearly to only be about MT, and it would be a real shame if the letter intended to address acting as well.</p>

10

<p>hilary25- At my audition I was told that if you aren’t accepted as a MT major but are accepted into Pace, you can enter as undeclared and then reaudition for the MT program. I was just wondering how exactly that all worked. Do you audition at the beginning of your freshman year to enter the major as a freshman, or do you audition at the end of your freshman year and enter the major as a sophomore? I was a little confused as to how that all worked out.</p>

11

<p>Zonamom…when I called, the guy who answered never even asked me my child’s name…he said, read me the letter…I did, letter was identical to yours…so then the guy(KID) he sounded like a college student who worked in that dept. told me that letter meant he was not being considered at all for the entire dept. I have misplaced the letter but what was the closing line in your letter… My sons read something about wishing him luck or success or something.</p>

12

<p>Mominpa1: I suggest emailing or calling Prof. Pat Woodward who is the recruitment coordinater and the person to whom the Pace website says to address questions. We have found Prof. Woodward to be very helpful and is quick to respond.</p>

<p>I would be shocked if the letter we received was intended to be a rejection from both the MT and the Acting program. Pace made a big deal about having to sign up for two different auditon slots if you wanted to be considered for both majors.</p>

13

<p>Zonamom, Yes, we would email Pace, but to tell you the truth…my child has moved on as we were a a little turned off at the audition about somethings we observed., my child has been accepted into the theater programs at the 2 other colleges he applied to…having said this…the Pace program seems wonderful and good luck whatever your child decides. I feel that you are placed where you will do the best!</p>

14

<p>When you all auditioned, did you show up ready to dance or sing? Or do you not find out which is first until the info session?</p>

15

<p>You’ll be separated into 2 groups and told whether you’ll be dancing or singing first, upon your arrival.</p>

16

<p>^Is there time to change clothes between, or should auditionees come dressed and layered for anything?</p>

17

<p>There is plenty of time to change. One half sings first, while the other half does their theory test and dances. I believe the kids changed into their dance clothes before the theory - there was no rush. Be prepared to be there for a while. </p>

<p>Pace makes it very comfortable - assuming it’s the same as last year - great coffee and treats while you’re waiting. They also had current students from the MT and Drama programs walking around talking to the auditionees and parents - and offered tours to the kids while they were waiting for their singing auditions. My S did take a little tour with a couple of Juniors, and really enjoyed the one-on-one time with them - a chance to ask some questions and get the lay of the land from a student perspective.</p>

18

<p>Is the theory test a written test? Or do they have you do sightsinging?</p>

19

<p>I have my audition Saturday. One for MT and one for Acting.
What should I expect? I’m very nervous because I really love Pace.</p>

20

<p>tainted: the theory test last year was written only. </p>

<p>Kelryry: the audition atmosphere for Pace is very relaxed and comfortable. Assuming things are the same as last year, everyone congregates in the lobby of the Schimmel Theater where the auditions are taking place (just FYI - this is the same theater where Inside the Actors Studio is filmed). There is plenty of space with tables/chairs. As has been said before, everyone is split into 2 groups, and you will know which group you are in as soon as you arrive, so get ready to either dance (change clothes) or sing. There are plenty of current students around to help with any questions you may have. If you are doing an acting audition as well they will give you instructions when you arrive. </p>

<p>There was also a wonderful info session for auditionees and parents in which the heads of each area give a little talk and answer questions. I especially enjoyed this part - really could feel their passion for the program at Pace.</p>