<p>Hello-</p>
<p>First of all, very sorry if there is already a thread for things like these and I missed it, eep!</p>
<p>But I'd just like to share my audition experience today - maybe it could be helpful to future auditioners.</p>
<p>Emerson is very well known for it's laid back auditions, and I can certainly back this up. My audition was today at 1pm - the first audition of their season. I live forty minutes away, and got there around 12:30. They take place in the Paramount center, right next to the Paramount theater - there are signs and upperclassmen students pointing you through the building. The waiting room for auditioners are on the 4th floor, and the waiting room for parents is on the 5th. The waiting room for applicants was already half full with about 20ish people when I got there - some in dance clothes, some in jeans, some in formal clothing. There was a check in desk where upperclassmen asked your name and took your picture for the records - you do not need a headshot, and you submit your resume online before the audition. (By the way - the formatting of the resume you submit on Emerson's stagedoor will always be messed up - that is okay, they said! It was a common question.) The upperclassmen are SO, so nice - be sure to talk to them! They are very friendly and willing to answer your questions - both the president of the Musical theatre society and the Shakespeare society were there, along with many other performance majors. </p>
<p>Then, at 1, all the judicators came in and sat in a long row of chairs in front of the room. There was 1 voice, a few acting, 1 dance (dance is mainly for placement), and the accompanist. Only two of them are involved with theatre education/are graduates of the master's theatre ed program. The head of theatre admissions (I think, he has a very large part to do with it, of that I am sure) gave us the whole introduction to how the day would work, and talked to us about the different programs, traveling abroad, difference between BA and BFA, etc etc. He is the graduate of the master's theatre ed program. He is very very friendly and did his best to make us comfortable. The best part about him and the other judicators was that they were very humorous, very warm - they joked and jabbed at each other playfully, asked where all of us were from, etc. Very nice people. After his schpiel the judicators took a moment to stand up and each say what they were expecting in the auditions. Most of their statements were along the lines of "breathe", "have fun", and "be yourself!". Very granola-crunchy, haha. Then, the judicators all went downstairs to get ready to take auditioners.</p>
<p>This is when the upperclassmen took over - they explained how the auditions would work, first of all. MT kids have to do an acting audition, a dance audition, and a voice audition. These are all seperate, and there is time in between them to change (from dance clothes to more formal clothes, etc). They said that for voice you should have your sheet music prepared (one poor girl though the audition was acapella), and that you should make nice with accompanist - basic stuff. Theatre studies w/ acting emphasis, BFA acting, and theatre ed w/ acting emphasis hopefuls are all grouped into one big chunk of "acting" kids. The upperclassmen would ask for a few mt dance, mt voice, mt acting, and acting auditioners to volunteer themselves. So you could go whenever you felt ready - and while you waited, the upperclassmen talked to you and answered any questions. </p>
<p>When I finally managed to get my turn (kids were VERY eager to go!) I was led downstairs by an upperclassmen who happily chatted me and a fellow auditioner up. We sat and waited next to the audition rooms, and she continued to answer questions. Then, I was called in. The upperclassmen introduced me to the two judicators who were waiting in the room. The room was a practice room - wood floors, well lit, good sound. The chairs provided were plastic. The judicators asked my name and found me on their laptop, confirmed what program I was auditioning for (theatre ed) and asked what piece I was planning on doing as I moved my chair - very casual, very friendly, no real need to slate. I did my piece just on the floor a few feet away from them, and afterwards he told me thank you, then asked me about the piece. Then he asked me to do my piece again, sitting on a chair and as if I was talking to the other judicator. I did so and about halfway through he told me thank you, I had done a nice job, etc, then asked me how it made me feel as an actor. After answering that, he asked me why I was going for Theatre ed.This was the only real question he asked me - which I was a little disappointed about. However, it was getting towards the end of the session and kids for the next session were already waiting, so I understand a bit of a rush. Then, having brought a portfolio, I asked if he wanted to flip through it. He did so quickly and commented on a few things (though it was obvious portfolios were not necessary), then sent me on my way wait a firm handshake and a thank you. I was then sent back up stairs to check out and thank the upperclassmen, then collect my parents.</p>
<p>My overall thoughts? Boy, was I glad this was my first audition! I know few schools are this laid-back, and I was grateful that they tried their best not to add any extra stress to the audition process. The upperclassmen were helpful, the judicators did not seem intimidating at all. I don't know about the voice or dance auditions, but kids coming out seemed to be happy, though they said the voice judicator was a little deadpan and not as humorous as the others. I was surprised at how ill-prepared some of the kids seemed to be - though I suppose there are a few of those everywhere! The other kids were friendly and lots of small-talk went on. Overall, a nice, fun experience that has me excited for future auditions! Though, with their very personable reputation I was a little sad they did not take more time to interview me. </p>
<p>Advice? Really, just be yourself. Emerson goes NUTS over conversational, genuine monologues - be yourself both in your audition and in your piece. Know your piece well enough that you can adjust - call it a piece, not a monologue! You want to share a moment with them, not a stand-alone piece, if that makes sense. Be friendly, both to fellow auditioners, upperclassmen, and judicators - they really want to help you! Don't wear jeans, and okay - after talking to many people there.... please, don't do a Harper monologue (ALA Angels in America) unless you can rock the crap out of it! Everyone and their sister loves Harper! Oh, and they have cartons of water there and cups. There are no official warm ups, though the upperclassmen mentioned something about leading voice/movement warm ups in the next room - though I may have missed the trip over to that room. I advise warming up before hand and running your piece/music at home before you go.</p>
<p>Okay - this is just my two cents. Break a leg to everyone else auditioning at Emerson - I promise, you'll have lots of fun!</p>