I notice that past years have had a forum for audition day reviews and thought it might be helpful if we started one for our class. I don’t have anything to share yet but will after NYC Unifieds. It would be great to share what happened in different auditions to help others know what to possibly expect.
Great idea! We will be headed to Unifeds in NYC too. My daughter’s next audition after that will be in Santa Ana, CA for Baldwin Wallace. I’m interested to hear from anyone who has already done their BW audition.
@NeensMom Wow that’s cool BW is doing auditions in California. I guess that maybe my son could have had a similar experience as you might have since you are doing an off site. My son auditioned for them at Moonifieds which tend to be a little different auditions. My son had a dance call that he thought was challenging at first and then was able to figure it out (he’s a mover). The audition itself was quick but friendly. He sang two songs and they did not ask for a monologue at Moonifieds.
@MTMom2024 how long after Moonifieds did you get an admission decision?
@NeensMom I think my son heard back from Baldwin Wallace 3 weeks or so after the audition. I think they said when they would let people know - maybe on their website??
My son auditioned for BW on Nov 23 and heard back Dec 15 via snail mail. They’d emailed all the students about two weeks before the audition, telling them what to expect and when.
D has BW tomorrow in Tampa (first time they’re coming here I believe). She’ll also be in NYC / Chicago Unifieds and some on campus auditions in Feb. Good luck to all.
My D. auditioned for University of Ohio on campus. It was at their arts day, so it was a full day. Not sure if they do their regular auditions that way. It was a dance call of about an hour. Maybe 30 kids - she is a dancer and she thought it was pretty standard for skill level but was more of an African sort of dancing which wasn’t hard but was different. Then they had a quick turn around to change clothes. She sang two songs and did her monologue. They asked her a few questions, including would you consider the BFA Acting to which she said no. They had a panel Q & A , some workshops and also a lunch together. She really liked the faculty and felt like it would be a good fit. She auditioned in October and got a BFA Acceptance via snail mail in mid November.
She also auditioned at JMU - it’s a BA and she wasn’t sure about it but it’s in state for us. She loved it. It was a full day as well. Info session, Q & A, Dance call of about an hour. The dance was hard but she loved it. She was asked to stay after in the dance call for an additional segment with about 5 others. She felt like this was a good thing. Then she had time to change and did her regular audition. They are told to prepare two songs but may only sing one. They did ask her to do both her songs. They also worked with her on some vocal warm up exercises and a few other things. She also did her monologue. Then there is an interview with a panel ( I think she said there were 3 of them). They had her resume - asked about her classes, her interests, her favorite books, movies, shows etc. She said it was really relaxed and she felt very at ease. She loved both the woman who appeared to be in charge. (she wasn’t sure who it was though she likely introduced herself early on ) and the guy who is the dance guy. The facilities were beautiful and the day was well organized. She also did the straight Acting BFA audition but she says she won’t go there unless she gets into the MT program as she already has an acceptance at Ohio and also loved it there.
Both programs are open to a minor or even a second major. They both seemed solid and like the faculty really cared. We head to Coastal next weekend and then Montclair so if anyone has any insight would love to hear it!
Can anyone speak to the Ithaca “movement” call? Would you recommend dance clothes or is it not so strenuous?
@DramaLove2020 I just want to say thank you so much for such great information on these two programs and the auditions! My son auditioned for both of them at Moonifieds and reading your post made me even more interested in both schools. Thanks for taking the time to share!
We can only speak to the NYU-Tisch artistic review, but my son loved every minute - said he had a blast. It was a half day experience that began with a 1/2 hour info session for the whole family. After that they took the group of about 60 kids upstairs. Roughly a quarter of those were for MT, and they divided those into 2 groups - half to dance call first, and half to songs/monologues first. S was very grateful that they warmed them up vocally as a group before singing.
They keep the auditors anonymous for security reasons. The kids are expected to introduce themselves, but the auditors will not introduce themselves back. He got no feedback from the monologue auditor and it was the first time nobody cracked a smile at his comedic monologue so he was surprised, but not thrown, thank goodness. He had a very enjoyable interview afterwards, where the auditor spends time getting to know the student and the student has a chance to ask more about the program. He did get constructive criticism from his singing auditor, which he appreciated and took in stride. He said the dance call was “hard” but he followed it. He is a mover, not a dancer, with very little formal dance training under his belt.
He also loved the students who were there to guide the auditioners through the process. All in all, he was really jazzed after his afternoon there and it confirmed why Tisch was his top choice.
Also, at this audition you are given another chance to say “MT-All studios” or “MT-Only” and what you say at the audition is final.
Hope this helps!
@tsamwic–this info on NYU-Tisch is super helpful! Interesting that the auditors don’t identify themselves… good to know in advance! D will be auditioning the same weekend as NY Unifieds, so that’s coming up soon…
In terms of logistics, would you say the audition location is easy to find? We haven’t visited NYU so don’t know the area. Also wondering if you noticed if there were restaurants for a quick bite nearby? D has an afternoon audition and we may try to grab lunch in the area beforehand. Any additional thoughts appreciated!
@toystorymom - I am not sure if auditions are at the main Tisch building or the 2nd Ave studios but either way you’ll have no problems finding places to eat nearby. Sweetgreen at Astor and Broadway is a healthy and quick favorite.
@toystorymom My son’s audition was in the main Tisch building which is very easy to find. Broadway, between Waverly and Washington. According to the website that’s where the auditions will be during Unifieds weekend as well.
Any cab or uber could get you there but traffic can be a bear so plan to leave ample travel time. It may only be 2 miles but it could take 25 minutes! There are also several nearby subway stops - if you’re coming down from Pearl your best bet is to walk to the N or R train and take it downtown to the 8th street station. Again, leave time. If you exit near Broadway and Waverly, you’ll be right there. Look for the big purple flag that says “NYU Tisch” on it.
NYU is in Greenwich Village, so you will be surrounded by TONS of places to eat - whether dash-in-and-grab or more traditional restaurants.
BAL! My S loved every minute!
if you search my posts this year I posted some fairly thorough reviews for OHIO U , Belmont, Wright state, Catholic & Oklahoma City. all auditions we did in the fall, I may have posted oh Muhlenberg too ( cant recall it seems like forever ago 10/1/19)
I too found these audition day recaps from past years very helpful…I posted mine in the general 2024 venting, discussing thread… BAL to all as we hit the peak season…
You’re reviews were very helpful! Thank you! In regards to Belmont, was the dance audition difficult? I have a strong mover.
@Bingosings assume you were referring to me?
my D has worked really hard this past year at improving her dance skills as that is the area she feels she needs the most work, so she has taken alot of dance, especially ballet these past 12 months…she has not found the dance calls at any of the schools overly difficult, I think she said the dance call at Catholic was the most challenging one she had to date, but she was accepted there, so I guess she held her own…re Belmont specifically I think she said she had fun which is likely what many of these teachers look for- great positive attitude and a willingness to take direction…hope thats helpful?
@NYYFanNowMTdad Yes! I thought I tagged you but it didn’t work. My D is definitely in the same boat. Has been taking dance classes for several years since she decided she wanted to pursue MT. But still her weakest link. Thank you for the information. Belmont and OCU are soon.
Interested in learning other’s experiences about walk -ins. D recveived very good feedback at a few this weekend and was told to apply (one was even asking her about her grades). Comments like “we’re looking for kids like you” or “Our prgaram needs kids like you” were said to D. (at least that’s what she told me- who knows what was actually said, LOL). So curious if anyone has insite into this. I’ve sorted it out into three categories:
- They like her a lot and will accept her into BFA if academically accepted to school - so apply.
- Think she's a good candidate and will consider her with all the other candidates they'll see at Unifieds.
- Want to pad the program pockets with more application fees. ( I know athletic recruiting camps do this all the time. They prime the pump to get you enrolled when they're really only looking at a few kids - those other several hundred kids pay for a lot of budget items).
Sorry, the cynic in me comes out and I think it likely falls between 2 and 3.
Thoughts?
@CaMom13 & @tsamwic–thank you both for the info. Getting places on time in NY is possibly my biggest worry for Unifieds (since I’m the one in charge of logistics–D has so much else to worry about!). I’ve made the mistake before of thinking a taxi trip in NYC will take a certain amount of time and then gotten stuck in horrible traffic… I don’t know that D will want to try the subway if she’s got all her audition gear, but will see how that goes… If she wants to go to school in NY, it might be good for her to see what that’s like! 
Thanks also for the restaurant suggestions–Sweetgreen sounds like a good option.