I had my USC Acting audition February 7, 2016 and I just thought i would share my experience and maybe get some feedback on other’s auditions and whatnot.
So just walking into USC was honestly so intimidating. I loved the campus feel, love the prestigious vibe of it all, very nice.
Going into the audition was similar to other auditions, discussing the program, getting split into groups, etc. So there are two parts to this audition (no movement portion): Interview and Monologues. They also include a time for “Prep” at some point.
I was in Group C so my order went Prep, Interview, Audition. Each took about an hour and I was out by 12:15.
The interview was different than my others because we were in the same room, sitting only a few feet away from other’s being interviewed, but it wasn’t very distracting at all. My interviewer was a cute red-head who asked the basic questions: Why USC? Why college? BFA or BA? Why theater? Etc. I think I did well, being used to these types of questions by now, and felt encouraged when she said she was impressed by my SAT score (1980). :). The interview is pretty relaxed and honestly nothing to stress about. Just be yourself! If they don’t like that, then that’s their loss.
The audition was different than my others as well because there were three auditors in a very small room. I introduced myself, slated my monologues, and performed. There was basically no feedback and I’m not sure one of the auditors even looked at me the entire time LOL, but I didn’t take it personally. My second monologue actually made one of the auditors laugh out loud so I took that as a good sign. They didn’t comment much on my monologues except from a few head nods, obvious note-taking, and “thank you’s”, then I was on my way!
Overall, the audition process was not too strenuous, but I will say the monologue performances felt much different than others in terms that the auditors felt pretty…disconnected? Or maybe just very tense air in the room almost, not surehow to put it…I would also like to add that the BFA and BA differences are HUGE at USC. So if you haven’t researched that, make sure you do! I’ll give a simple rundown with my understanding:
BA: Can minor, not as theater centered, less theater classes, more time, not priority for theater rolls
BFA: theater 24/7, no time for minor, lots of classes, lots of class time, priority for theater rolls
Also, what I learned from my interview, is that for the BFA the audition solely matters, whereas supplemental application stuff doesn’t as much, but for the BA they are weighed together, which I thought was interesting.
Good luck and please comment some of your experiences!