<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>In addition to theatre, I'm also involved in forensics (debate/speech/acting competition). I've been very successful at it, but I've been told that mentioning it in college auditions would lessen my chances of acceptance, because forensics is frowned upon by the college theatre community. Is this true, or is it safe to mention what I've done?</p>
<p>On that note, if it isn't frowned upon, would my resume be the appropriate place to include my competitive acting awards, or should I just put it on my applications to the schools?</p>
<p>I’d say your acting awards should be on your resume as well as in your application to the college. Possibly any major non-acting forensic awards should be in your resume too.</p>
<p>What you talk about at your audition will be largely determined by the audition panel. Some of them ask nothing. Some will ask you about your monologue(s), or maybe about things on your resume. My son was asked, at one audition, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”</p>
<p>They might ask if you have any questions about the program. You should be ready for this by having one or more questions ready that show your familiarity with the program and your interest in it, but also exhibit your desire to know more about specifics of one kind or another.</p>
<p>Probably you should not volunteer information about your forensics activities at an audition. There will not be much time, and it is perhaps a bit “far afield.”</p>
<p>It seems unlikely that forensics are frowned upon. Maybe somebody else could address this.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your input, NJTheatreMOM. Most of my forensics awards are for acting, although a lot of the big ones are for speech events. I guess putting my forensics stuff on my resume couldn’t hurt, as long as my audition itself isn’t excessively forensics-y.</p>
<p>I’m sure your audition will be fine. Really, that is what they focus on, far above anything else, just glancing at your resume to see what you have done in the way of plays, and whether there is anything unusual that pops out.</p>
<p>I don’t know exactly what your background and training is, but if you are worried about coming across as too forensic-y, you might want to arrange for some monologue coaching by a professional theatre person.</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My daughter put all her forensic awards, ( DI) on the resume,
and I know for a fact she mentioned it at her NYU audition, as the gentleman who was auditioning her, was unfamiliar with it… She explained , and she got in there.
It is all about the AUDITION… so I have been told!</p>
<p>They want to know what you are about, so if that is what you have been doing with your life, super duper. I also hear that several of National Champions, in forensics are at Boston University School of Theater.</p>
<p>Good luck,</p>