Reporting on how the auditions went, what to expect at individual schools...

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>
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It's interesting to me that all of the kids auditioning got to witness each other's auditions. I wonder if that's unusual. Anyone?

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<p>I can only speak of the 8 auditions I have attended with my daughter, though through other students am aware of other ones too that are similar to the ones we have been to. The ones I have actually been to are: NYU/Tisch, UMich, CMU, BOCO, Syracuse, Emerson, Ithaca, and Penn State. None of these auditions allowed the kids who were auditioning to witness one another's audition (not counting dance which was in groups). The only thing that was remotely similar was that at Penn State, current BFA students watched the audition. Otherwise, at every audition my kid went to, the auditors were the only ones watching voice and acting.</p>

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<p>My D auditioned a while back at OCU. It was her first college audition. When we arrived, she was welcomed by several OCU students who were helping with the auditons, and then signed in. She was offered the use of one of their rehearsal rooms to warm up for as long as she wanted. There were two separate auditions, one to give the acting monologue, and one for voice. The auditiononer had the choice of which to do first. My D chose the acting audition first. We walked up, and because we were early in the day, she went right in and performed her monlogue. After that she went back down to the rehearsal rooms to go through her songs again. When she felt ready, she went up to do the musical audtion. There was a very brief wait here. It was on one of the stages in one of the building's theatres, with several auditors spread out thru the seats. She had three songs prepared, they asked her to select the first one, and they picked a second. All songs were done with a piano accompanist. After the auditions, one of the OCU students gave us a tour of their new facility, (very impressive).</p>

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<p>NMR, I believe Otterbein is rather unique wherein their auditionees get to hear the auditions of their peers. As I said, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. But I think it's very important that the auditionees be psychologically prepared for this so it doesn't play games with their head. As soozievt mentioned, at Penn State current BFA students sat in on the auditions to provide an audience and cheer on the candidates. At Baldwin-Wallace the BFA student assigned as host/hostess to each auditionee accompanied their candidate into the audition to provide a smiling face and moral support.</p>

<p>Regarding the interviews......yes, these were done in private rather than as a group. I beleive it was Dr. Stefano and Harriet Hill (voice faculty?) who met one-on-one with each candidate.</p>

<p>alwaysamom, this was daughter's first interview so far. Penn State determines right after the audition whether or not the candidate is to be called back for an interview. :( And Baldwin-Wallace apparently has no interview as part of the audition process.</p>

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<p>The only place my D auditioned where there was a group audition was at Marymount Manhattan. They were broken into a few groups and then auditioned in front of the other auditioners. Most were very polite and clapped for each other. One female was very rude, snickering at the others, etc. I would hope that the auditors took note of that rude behavior, although I don't know whether they did or not, since my D decided not to attend that school.</p>

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<p>Wagner had a group vocal audition. The kids were put into groups of around 24 or so, and sang for each other. My D found it reassuring to hear the other kids sing.</p>

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<p>To be honest, I think it would be somewhat unnerving to hear the other kids do their auditions, as it would be natural to constantly "weigh and measure" how you are stacking up to the competition! Of course, I am not a performer, so it may well be that I don't know what I am talking about. :) It wouldn't be the first time. I am sure that the colleges and conservatories who abide by this practice have good reasons for doing so. I just think it would make me more nervous if I were a performer. ;)</p>

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<p>I would HATE to have to do that! I am one of those performers who thinks they're not as good as people tell them and always finds faults. I guess that sort of helps me better myself by becoming a perfectionist. But in that situation I would be so uncomfortable. It took me a while to comfortably sing out with my classmates in the room when I was at the AADA Summer Intensive (you're in classes with the same 16 people the entire 6 weeks, no one else). Fortunately only a few of them were actually trained/semi-trained singers, so I didn't feel like the weakest one in the bunch.</p>

<p>But in an audition situation where the same people are vying for the same spots, it just doesn't seem appropriate to me. You're already in a competitive mode so you're mentally ranking everyone who goes before and after you. But if you're self-conscious then you're worried with every person you see and probably don't do you best. Especially when you have girls making fun like Lynnm experienced.</p>

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<p>Several of last Friday's Otterbein auditionees were heading to Cincinnati to also audition at CCM the following day (Dec 2nd). Judging by the Acceptance thread, this was a hugely successful day for CCers.</p>

<p>Would anyone out there care to share any insights on their CCM audition experience?</p>

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<p>I posted this on the UArts thread, but here it is again so we can have all these in once place! I will also post my one about Ithaca's audition</p>

<p>I auditioned at UArts on Dec. 2nd, and thought I'd give a run down of how it went for any other prospective auditioners.</p>

<p>First of all, I had never been philadelphia before, and it is such a cool city! I think it would be really fun to go to college there. We couldn't get a room at the Double Tree, which is right in the middle of the street UArts is on, but we stayed just a few minutes drive away. </p>

<p>On Saturday morning, we went to Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 8:45 for registration. I got to meet BroadwayWannabe (from CC) briefly, and then we sat and filled out a form asking a wide variety of questions, about teachers and academic experiences, dance experience, etc.. get to know you kind of questions. There was a brief introduction, but as this was not an open house or formal info session, we didn't learn much about the program. Then we split up into the different programs (I was auditioning for MT) and we went down the street to a different building. There were maybe 30 kids auditioning that day. We went straight to the dance audition (we had a chance to change into our dance clothes), which was actually a lot of fun! Karen led the warm-ups and taught us a jazz routine. The routine was taught quickly but it was not extremely difficult, it left a lot of room for each dancer to include his/her own style. We did it in groups of 4, 3 times each, by alphabetical last names. Those who had prepared solos stayed after, but those of us who just did the group audition went and changed into our audition outfits, and went to a holding room. We warmed up a bit, but then found out that some of us would be acting first.</p>

<p>In the acting audition, there is just one person watching, and it is very friendly. I had to do part of mine again with some direction, and then there was a quick low pressure interview about my future goals and I had a chance to ask a few questions. Then I went back to the holding room, waited a bit, then had my singing audition, which is in front of the accompianist (who is also an auditor) and one other auditor (there was also a student watching). After I sang there was another quick interview about how I thought I would fit in at UArts etc.</p>

<p>And that was that! Overall, it seemed like a really nice school, although I still would like to learn more about the program there. The audition day is not big on information, there is an opportunity for parents to take a tour, but it is mostly looking at the outside of the buildings. The students there were nice, and answered any questions we had. I saw the Madwoman of Chaillot, which was interesting (a little bit of a confusing show, but good talent), and 42nd street, which was not put on by UArts but had one alumni and one current student (at UArts, you can only do outside theatre in your senior year, if you get permission). </p>

<p>If anyone has any other questions about the audition day process, let me know!</p>

<p>Katie</p>

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<p>Here is my experience at Ithaca (Nov. 4th). Sorry this one is a bit lengthy, but thorough! :)</p>

<p>So I got there around 8 and we just sat around and waited (I went with my mom) and talked to some of the other auditionees. I'm from Ithaca, so we only had a 10 minute drive to Dillingham Center where the audition was, so that was nice. At 8:30, a woman explained to us all what the schedule would be for the day, and then had us get some forms. One form for everyone that had general contact info, SAT/ACT, GPA, class ranking, etc...This form also got the resume and head shot attached. Then for BFA MT (which i was doing) you get four forms, to fill out the title/character for your two monologues and title/song for the two songs. Acting auditionees only had to fill out two (monologues only). Then we turned our forms in and had a polaroid taken (even if we had a headshot) and went into the theatre. </p>

<p>Lee Byron, the director of the Theatre Dept. introduced the program. About 1200 kids audition, they take about 65. In the Musical Theater program, they usually have about 600 applicants and they take 12-15 (half girls; half guys). The kids who are accepted go through 5 assessment in the first 2 years and they don't automatically get invited back into the program. When we probed on that, the students said that it is usually because the person is not happy in the program and it is not a big surprise, but is usually helpful in transitioning the student to another school or elsewhere in IC. This is not a "cut" system. IC has rigorous training with good support from teachers/advisors. Everyone in the program takes dance (ballet, tap, jazz, modern).</p>

<p>Then those of us who were auditioning went downstairs to warm-up and the others went to their interviews. We did a quick physical warm-up (nothing to strenuous, I was in a dress) and a longer vocal warm-up and headed back up to the theatre. They announced the order that we would be auditioning (in the order that we signed up earlier in the fall) and sent the first kids out. Meanwhile, a bunch of current students from IC answered any questions we had and told us about their experience at IC. Everyone was so friendly and supportive; it really felt like they wanted us to do well. Everytime people would get called to their audition, the students would clap and cheer. I can't say enough how nice it was, how relaxed. I started to get less nervous and more and more excited. </p>

<p>One thing that was different about IC was that you do your monologues and songs in different studios, for different people. Usually it is songs then over to monologues, but mine ended up being backwards with a little wait in between because they had two acting rooms and only one singing room. The auditors were a little distant, but very pleasant and not intimidating. I had to do one of my monologues twice (they gave me directions), but they did strictly time them (1 minutes for each monologue-they used a timer). I got another chance to warm up a little before my songs, and then I went in, said hello and gave my music to the pianist (sang a few bars for tempo, pointed out the end etc.) That was pretty much it! The students helping to run the auditions (run us back and forth) were very fun and interested in our audition process.</p>

<p>Here are a few other notes that we took about the program itself:</p>

<p>-Strong alumni network (500 alums in NYC, about 80-90% of their grads end up in NYC.
-Very interested in helping current students move into the professional world
-They run showcases of alumni talent occasionally for the students
-14 performances a year; 6 mainstage shows (2 musicals, an opera and 3 straight shows) and alos 6-8 sudent-run productions; lots of additional informal shows; allows for entrepreneurial approach if you want to write/direct/act in additional shows
-Can audition for shows as a freshman
-At the beginning of each semester, everyone tries out for all the shows and so they all know by the second week
-BFA students can spend the spring of junior year in London
-In London you take a 9cred course called Interrelationships focused on lectures combined with walking tours of all the old theaters.
-London tuition entitles them to attend the mandatory 2 shows/week, so they see a total of 30 shows (no musicals)</p>

<p>Well, that is the end of my journey! I know I was really nervous about how exactly the audition would be run, so any specific questions, let me know, I am happy to share my experience. I can truthfully say that I actually had fun at this audition, and (hopefully!) did well!</p>

<p>Katie</p>

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<p>You ROCK Katie!!!!! Thanks for all the info.</p>

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<p>My D auditioned at Ithaca last weekend (Dec.2) and she says it was a really great experience. The people were really nice. A group of very charming MT and Drama students held a little forum while everyone waited to be called. It broke the ice and helped pass the time. We learned a lot and felt that the kids were forthcoming.
The audition was run very well. After a physical and vocal warm up, current MT students delivered kids to the different auditioning rooms and gave tours of the building. A list of the order was available and they took about ten to twelve kids an hour. We were out of there by noon. (Thank heavens because the drive back to MA seemed endless!) We stayed at The Hilton Garden & it was nice. There was no parking at the Dillingham Center and it was a bit of a hike to the car. Give yourself plenty of time to get from car to theatre and dress warmly! They started right on time.<br>
Break a leg!
Sarahsmom42</p>

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<p>Yeah I was so amazed at how nice and welcoming everyone was at Ithaca. I haven't gotten that feeling at either of the other schools I auditioned at, that the students just really were excited for you to be there and wanted you to do well. They were giving us hugs and clapping for us and everything!</p>

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<p>Yes, Kasl24! My D said that when she came out after singing, the MT students were like "Oh we love that song! We were singing along with you! Great job!"</p>

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<p>Let me start by saying I had a GREAT time at the Baldwin-Wallace audition.</p>

<p>We were to arrive (in the Kulas music building lobby) by 9:00, we got there around 830, signed in, they gave us a folder with our name on it that had lots of BW information, booklets, and also had the schedule for the day. On the front of the folder had our individual singing/monologue audition time. In the lobby, I believe they had coffee, hot chocolate, and pastries to eat :) What a welcoming first impression.</p>

<p>At 9:15, MT students moved into a classroom for a brief admissions introduction. We eached introduced ourselves and where we were from. A few current MT students were there and introduced themselves.</p>

<p>Then we left our parents and headed upstairs into another classroom/lounge type room where it was just the few current MT students and the auditionees. They told us about the program and answered lots of questions. They raved about it!</p>

<p>Each of the current MT students that were helping out were "buddies" to specific auditionees. So before your audition time, they escorted you to a 'warm-up room' (a tiny room w/ just u and a piano, it was cool)... Then they escorted you to outside the audition room, got your resume and headshot, and when they were ready you (and your current MT student buddy) went into the room. Vicki Bussert(the head of the program, who I have heard so much great things about!) came to the door and introduced herself, and asked what 3 songs I had. I announced them, and she picked 2 (the 2 I wanted to do :) ). You could do the songs in any order. I gave my music to the accompanist (who was also very nice), did both songs quickly (16-bar cuts go by so fast lol), announced my monologue, did it (they were very responsive), and that was it. It was very relaxed and they were very smily.</p>

<p>Then I went to the lobby for boxed lunch :)</p>

<p>After lunch we got to watch a Master Class. This was awesome. It was with the cast of [title] of show. Starting with the seniors, then juniors, sophomores, etc, the current MT students performed a song and got it critiqued by the 'panel' (title of show cast/musical director), and they had a chance to do it again. I thought the seniors especially were amazing, very diverse and solid. VERY talented!!! Apparently BW has about 10 of these master classes a year, which is a great way to build up connections and auditioning experience.</p>

<p>We (the auditionees) left the master class around 3:30ish?? to walk to the the gym, which was where the dance studio was located (for the dance call). There were about 25 of us auditioning, we learned the jazz routine together, several times (w/ 3 student helpers). It included a pirhouette (single, double, however many you could do). They were so nice about it, made you comfortable. From a non-experienced dancer's point of view, it was just a bunch of simple movements put to fast music-It was fun. After we learned it, we did it in groups of 6ish (3 in front, 3 in back), and then front/back lines switched.</p>

<p>Vicki held a short Q&A in the dance room. She said they will aim for a class of 12, and their decision should be made by March 1.</p>

<p>Then we were done!</p>

<p>Advice:
-If you can audition when there is a master class going on, you will love it. It was neat to see the current students.</p>

<p>Impressions:
-The BW music theatre group seems to give a lot of individual attnetion to each student.
-Vicki (and the other faculty) seems to have many connections.
-Everyone was friendly and welcoming.
-The current MT students (seniors especially, I thought) were awesome!!
-I love that they are adding a spring pop/rock musical!
-They were also very welcoming to parents. They provided Q&A sessions with current students for them, gave them a buffet-lunch, campus tour, etc.
-Very organized, succesful audition day!</p>

<p>I don't want to get my hopes up, but I thoroughly enjoyed my audition at BW, and can only hope for the best.</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

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<p>Syracuse</p>

<p>We were to be there at 10AM, (we got there around 930), and they gave you a bunch of forms to fill out, and to turn in your headshot, resume, & statement. The MT auditionees were assigned groups (A B or C).
I was in Group B, and there were about 12 of us </p>

<p>At 10:00, we went into a theatre, where (I believe the head, Jim Clarke?) made an introduction and talked for about an hour or so. Everyone stood up and introduced themselves (& where they were from), and we had the opportunity to ask tons of questions. A few points were made that they expect "350-400 MT students to audition, and they may accept around 50 students to yield a class size of about 30"</p>

<p>At around 11:00ish Group A left to do their singing/monologue portion. Groups B & C did dance first. They hauled us to the locker rooms where we had to change quickly into our dance clothes... Then we (group B) hurried traveled through a bunch of hallways & staircases to one of the dance studios.</p>

<p>I have never had any dance training, just been in several musicals- It didn't seem too complicated, just challenging for me to learn so quickly. It included a double (or however many you could do) pirhouette (sp). We learned the combination several times, 2 current MT students also helped out... We did the combination in pairs (3 times each!). The first time, one of the MT students did it with us, and the next 2 we were on our own (in pairs). Then we learned another jazz/hip-hop?ish routine, conducted the same way. Dance talent ranged from Great to me (unexperienced). ;)
-BRING LOTS OF WATER TO DRINK AFTER DANCE!!</p>

<p>Then we were to rush back to locker rooms and change into our audition clothes... and hauled all of our bodies, bags, & jackets into a holding room, where they took us out 1-by-1 to do our singing/monologue (they did an "on-deck" type thing). Because there were so many auditioning, it looked like there were 2 diff. rooms of auditioning, the one I went into had just one lady and the accompanist. She had me choose a song, and then do the monologue. They were nice and responsive w/ the monologue.</p>

<p>Then we were done! I was finished at 1:15pm.</p>

<p>So there were 2 different dance rooms (each taught a different combination -we compared in the holding room-). and 2 different 'audition rooms'. Three groups of MT auditionees, guessing about 12-15.</p>

<p>Advice:
-Bring everything with you everywhere you go. We moved to so many places so many times (through narrow hallways and lots of people) so I was glad I brought my stuff w/ me everywhere.
-BRING WATER to drink!
-For the song(s), they may only ask to hear one, so I would do what you think is your "best" one first.
-It was FREEZING outside (4 degrees, I think)... Bundle up!
-MANY of the girls in my group were auditioning at Ithaca the next day - so maybe those 2 would be good to do on the same weekend... lol</p>

<p>Impressions:
I seemed very rushed and felt like they were herding us around, but with so many people auditioning (3 groups of MT, plus Acting, and Design) I guess that is semi-understandable. But the people were pretty nice.</p>

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<p>This thread is the best! It really gives wonderful insight to the real audition process and how each school differs. I so appreciate everyone's recounting of their experiences. We will be going through it next year, and so these comments will truly help us get mentally prepared.</p>

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<p>I did the pm session at syracuse this past saturday (the 27th). All the students i met were incredibly nice, same with the other kids who were auditioning. I had dance first and i am happy it's over. The guy I had was cold and very intimidating, and the combo was challening because we learned it to quickly. there was a little tap which i could have done but didn't because i didn't catch on quick enough. my friend who auditionedin the morning had the other man and did find him amiable either. Both of our dance auditions were completely different and not very pleasent. For acting/voice I was one of the last to go, I got done around 3:30. The two women were very sweet and accompianist was great (they have her come out before you go in to go over your tempos). My audition was quick and i wasn't asked to do anything extra, which on one hand makes me nervous. I definatley like the school.</p>

<p>On saturday night we watched a workshop of little women (through the window of the door, the room was at max occupancy) at it was great. even as the actors were running in and out the door past us they were very sweet.</p>

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<p>FSU audition on Jan.20...We arrived at registration at 8:00 a.m. to find that although they had my D listed for a MT audition and had sent two confirmation letters, they did not have her folder! No worries, we were prepared because of this forum! I had copies of everything she needed and they were very apologetic.
Dance audition was at 9:00 and lasted until about 11:00. The group of 40 kids went into the beautiful dance center where they were put through a pretty rigorous dance audition; first a ballet warm up (and yes they were taking notes) and then a jazz routine that was fast and tough. D has danced for 10+ years and found it challenging, but fun too. The people were really nice and put everyone at ease. FSU offers a major in Dance, so they have much to offer and high expections.<br>
After the dance audition there was a several hour break. D did not have songs and mono's until 4:30, so we were able to see the campus and she had time to shower, warm up and get back to the music building. Students did songs and monolgues in the same room and there were several adjudicators as well as MT students watching. The students were very responsive and warm. D was able to choose if she wanted to do her songs or two minute mono first.
Impressions: Beautiful campus, felt safe on campus, buildings were grouped together and not spread all over the city which we liked. Very nice people!
Advice: Bring plenty of water in your dance bag, go to the registration in your dance clothes with hair off your face. Rubber soled shoes were not allowed in their dance space. (Jazz shoes often have rubber soles..) Bring a copy of your app., and all of the other info. you sent to the school. Carefully read the info on their website. The requirements changed between the time we sent in the app. to the audition date and it caused a bit of stress.
Good luck!</p>

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<p>Does anyone have experience or insight into the unifieds in SF this Feb? When student has appt...do they need to be there earlier to warm up...or does the time for appt the time they get room for warm up, and then meet with Admis.people? Also...we are driving distance away...do we spend the night in SF or drive/Bart over in the morning?? Thanks for your help in advance!</p>