My Audition Experience: Juilliard

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Today was my NYC Juilliard audition! I'm sure that many of you who are auditioning to Juilliard in the upcoming weeks are interested in how the auditions are run, so I'll recount my experience to you all. Note that if you're not auditioning in NYC, the auditions will probably be a little different.</p>

<p>First, all the applicants were divided by last name (A-L and M-Z) into two holding rooms, where we waited until we were called into a large rehearsal room for the warm-up/orientation. While waiting in the holding room, several current Juilliard students with clipboards let auditioners know when their audition time was. I have no idea how the audition order was decided.</p>

<p>At around 9:00, all the auditioners from both holding rooms were led to the aforementioned warm-up, and it was then that I saw just how many prospective students there were... somewhere between 100 and 150. </p>

<p>Anyway, after a nice orientation speech from a couple of Juilliard's teachers/directors and a quick mental/physical warm-up, we were led back to the holding-rooms. Then it was waiting time!!</p>

<p>It was around 9:45 and my audition was "in the 10:00 hour," so I decided to go use one of the practice rooms. On the fourth floor of the Juilliard building, there are several small practice rooms that applicants can use for 15 minutes at a time. I don't know if there are any practice rooms at other audition locations.</p>

<p>Because there were SO many auditioners, I didn't end up auditioning until around 11:15-11:30ish. Instead of just having two or three auditors auditioning everybody, there were five panels of three faculty members each reviewing the applicants. The panel I auditioned for was comprised of a poetry teacher, an acting teacher, and an Alexander teacher. My audition was simply a little bit of talking followed by my monologues. Something to note about the monologue audition: there's a tape line on the floor around 7ish feet from the auditors that you have to stand behind while acting. That was kind of annoying, but it makes sense.</p>

<p>My audition was over around 11:40, so I went out and got lunch before they posted the callback list at 2:00. Out of the 100+ auditioners, 16 were called back today. One Juilliard student I talked to said that today would probably have the most people called back out of all the audition days because it was the first day of auditions. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the 16 called back, but then again, I wasn't really expecting it, and I don't think anybody else applying straight out of high school should expect anything either. Most of the auditioners that I talked to were college graduates or college transfers. So, while it's not impossible for a high school senior to get a callback, it's not very likely.</p>

<p>And while I didn't get a callback, I did get to see "next to normal," so that was pretty cool.</p>

<p>If anybody has any questions or wants to talk about their own experience, please, go ahead!</p>

<p>Next up: Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh, Sunday January 24th...</p>

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<p>I didn’t get called back either, but that was no shocker :slight_smile: How was next to normal? I was thinking about seeing it next week. Haha, my CMU audition is in Pittsburgh tomorrow too! That’s 3 in a row. Good luck!</p>

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<p>next to normal was pretty good. I recommend it!</p>

<p>Wow, 3 in a row! That’s a weird coincidence! Are you in the morning or afternoon?</p>

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<p>Mine is at noon. You? Taking the greyhound bus in there tonight. </p>

<p>I just finished my Marymount Manhattan audition, and it was my favorite audition so far. It was on the bottom of my list, but they really showed us how good the faculty was. We auditioned in groups where we got to watch each others monologues, and they really worked with us on them after an extensive warm up. I wish it had been my first audition, they gave you such great feedback. I also thought that it was not a very competitive program, but only 1 in 5 pass the audition, and out of the people who pass they look at rankings that they give you. </p>

<p>Best of luck at CMU!</p>

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<p>my friend who auditioned for juilliard told me that they basically wanted 20 year olds. and you said that “for a high school senior to get a callback, it’s not very likely.” It doesn’t make sense to me, why do you think so?</p>

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<p>Why do they want older people? I don’t really know for sure, but my guess would be that Juilliard is looking for people who are more mature and more prepared for an incredibly intense conservatory experience. College grads and those in college seem to fit that criteria better than high school seniors. Also, those with college experience are often better actors than those without any experience.</p>

<p>However, I encourage high school seniors to audition anyway! It’s a good experience, and, who knows, maybe you WILL get called back!</p>

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<p>When we went through this experience last year, the call backs were people who already had undergrad degrees.</p>

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<p>Hi everybody
I have an audition at Juilliard drama division on the 30th of January. And I am really confused about the classical comic monologue. I want to read one from the play by Moliere but I can not identify if it is written in verse or not. If anyone could help me by giving suggestions I would be really glad.</p>

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<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I’m writing a novel in which someone applies to Juilliard for jazz piano. If you’d like to hlep me out by answering some questions about the process, please let me know.</p>

<p>Specifically, what’s the name of the room where you would audition for piano?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

10

<p>Brusselsclaire, this is the Theatre/Drama Majors forum. Juilliard auditions for drama as well as music, separately. Perhaps you should post your query in the Music Majors forum.</p>

11

<p>Hi everybody, I am from Peru, Southamerica. I really want to go to one of those incredible drama schools as Julliard, I mean, it has been my dream for ages.</p>

<p>It was vey interesting your esperience, I think you have to do a monologue right? well I would like to know if it is common to an international student (as me) getting a schoolarship/financial aid, because as far I am concerned, Julliard costs around $ 40.000 per year, and thats something imposible for me, in Peru we earn in soles (1 Dollar = 3 soles, and most of the people earn 36.000 soles = $ 12.000), so you can imagine how imposible it is for me.</p>

<p>Apart from Julliard, does somebory know about another good drama school that could offer more schoolarships for international students please?</p>

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<p>I don’t know why its so unlikely because a few seniors got called back while I was there including myself. Its not about the age, its about what you showcase and if they want you.</p>

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<p>Hi I’m auditioning in January. And I was wondering when you go in there to do the monologues do you have to say anything or do you just walk on stage and then just go straight into your monologues?</p>

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<p>There are about 7 different panels with two auditors in each one. You are randomly assigned to one panel, and get your time when you arrive that morning at 8:30 am or so. There is <em>a lot</em> of waiting, so be prepared. As far as the actual audition, it varies depending on you and presumably the auditors. I know from talking to others that day there was a lot of variety. I think (?) most people went straight to their monologues after a brief introduction, then were asked to adjust or sing or not, depending, and did an interview if asked. My own S did only two monologues and I believe nothing else, and was rejected. However, not having an interview or an adjustment didn’t necessarily mean you didn’t have the callback. But almost no one was called back the day we were there–I think maybe 7 people or something like that? </p>

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<p>would you say you were more mature for your age?</p>