UCLA Theater acting audition/ interview

<p>I will have an audition and interview very soon.
I am trying to practice and prepare as much as I can.
Honestly, I am so afraid. I am a transfer student from foreign country.
I really want to know what questions will be in the audition and interview so I won't make any mistakes. Please tell me if anyone knows the questions, process and just anything about UCLA acting audition and interview. And what answers they really want from the applicants? Any tips? Please help me. I want to do my best.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>We don’t know what they will ask you at your audition and interview. They could ask you just about anything. They don’t ask the same questions of each applicant.</p>

<p>In terms of the audition, they could ask if you have another monologue prepared in addition to the ones you performed for them. They could ask you to redo a monologue, but with a change they have suggested. One common example is “Do the monologue again, but while stacking up these chairs”.</p>

<p>They might ask you about the monologues you performed, about why you chose those particular monologues. They may ask you about the character and the rest of the play the monologue is from. They may ask you about what the character is going through at the point when they say the monologue.</p>

<p>In the interview, they could ask you about your theatre work in the past. They could ask you about why you have chosen theatre as your major. They could ask you about your career aspirations. They may very well ask you about theatre in your own country and why it is that you have decided to study in the USA. They might just ask more general questions about your feelings about the “art” or “theory” of theatre.</p>

<p>You need to know why it is that you want to study at UCLA, and why they should take you as a student. Then you will have no reason to be afraid, you should be able to answer any of their question.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

<p>In my D’s experience, UCLA was a tough interview. The interviewer paid very little attention to her portfolio and dinged her for not being good at something that was his specialty but not hers. From what I’ve read on this forum, this is not unusual for this school. DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. Just do your best and answer honestly.</p>

<p>@theatre mom, your mention of a portfolio makes me think your daughter auditioned for something other than acting. I would assume that would mean a different panel assembled for the interview than one would see for an acting interview.</p>

<p>@ha x3 +hol, I think KEVP offers all the advice you need. My daughter’s experience with the UCLA interview and audition two years ago was a very positive one. I remember her saying that it was a good conversation with good questions. They were not trying to trick her, they just wanted to know who she was which she felt in comparison to other auditions, was a luxury and an advantage. Be yourself.</p>

<p>She is home on break and I just asked her if she can remember any of the specifics of what they asked and she can’t. But I think if you follow KEVP’s suggestions, you’ll be more than ready. Best of luck!</p>

<p>@halflokum: My D was auditioning for something other than acting, yes, and I’m glad to see your D had a good experience. No school is all one thing or the other, and schools change over time. It’s also possible that your D really wowed the auditors. But it was my impression at the time that UCLA gave little encouragement to its applicants and this was not just my view. You could search the forum for comments by chrissyblu, for example. She referred to the UCLA audition as a cattle call. Here are her reflections on auditions in general, which are right on point.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/811971-my-hopes-you-you-audition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/811971-my-hopes-you-you-audition.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Regarding the interview - This was a few years ago but D had an interviewer with a list of questions. I don’t remember specifically what they were but nothing out of the ordinary. He was writing while asking questions and had a very thick accent. She came out feeling she had done her best and showed her personality as much as possible but was unsure if they had actually communicated. Mostly, she said it was weird, if that helps. Maybe, it depends who you get.</p>

<p>@theatre mom. I think “cattle call” for the UCLA audition is a fair label. But no more so than what we experienced at any other on campus audition except possibly there were a few more people. UCLA as I recall only had two on campus audition dates over a weekend in January. At least that was it for anyone interested in MT. </p>

<p>They are processing a lot of kids on those two days. I’m not sure if there is rhyme nor reason for who you get assigned for the interview portion and like anything, luck of the draw can make a difference between clicking with an interviewer and not. I do recall that the day started out with Rich Rose giving his (I believe standard) talk which includes really hammering home that the UCLA program is NOT a training conservatory and if that is what you’re looking for, go to a BFA. I know some people get put off by that message. I felt like it was honest and that the program sounded wonderful. My daughter I think did have BFA of the brain so though she did get into UCLA, she went elsewhere.</p>

<p>Good luck to hahahahol!!!</p>

<p>That Rich Rose talk is really interesting. I’ve seen it twice. It’s almost like they are encouraging people to go elsewhere. LOL!</p>

<p>I had the same take, actingmt–and he took a long time to say it, too! There were several hundred people at our off-campus audition in San Francisco–and no rehearsal rooms, so imagine dozens of wired kids emoting in corners as they waited for their turns. It was my D’s first interview and every one after seemed like a piece of cake!</p>

<p>@hahahahol: Despite all this, my D was accepted, so I hope you have a better experience than we did, but even you don’t, you may still get into the program!</p>

<p>Hi, First I would just like to say I think this board is very informative! I am new to the board, and would just like some advice. I wasn’t sure how to start a new post, I could only see the reply button.</p>

<p>My son will be auditioning soon for Musical Theater for UCLA. I am trying to make the process as stress free as possible. It seems as though the auditions, are long, six hours. If we have the opportunity to travel in the night before, is that recommended, it would allow him more sleep as well. Otherwise, he would need to be up very early due to traveling time. </p>

<p>Any additional information you have is much appreciated and thank you all again for your help!</p>

<p>We are opting to travel in the night before when start times make for an early wake up. My D needs her sleep and sleeps fine in a hotel. Also I find it less stressful because you are there and don’t have to worry about some weird traffic problem slowing you down and making you late for the audition.
If your S doesn’t sleep well in hotels maybe factor that in but otherwise I think the early arrival is less stressful.
A student traveling alone was 45 minutes late last week at our audition at BU, and she was slightly panicked and breathing hard when she arrived. Not a good way to start the day.</p>

<p>LA traffic is highly unpredictable. It can take 3 hours to go 30 miles. I would come in a day ahead of time if you can…</p>

<p>My s had a wonderful experience at his UCLA audition last year. Although (or perhaps because of) he was one of the last five kids to audition (I think he was close to the 70th audition), the first proctor that saw him took a lot of time talking with him. He then was seen by a second proctor. The first proctor asked if he could come in and watch the audition alongside the second proctor. They were both gracious and encouraging. We were surprised, as we had heard some not so favorable comments about UCLA’s auditions on this board. It may depend on who ends up seeing you, but my s came out encouraged and extremely excited. In fact, it was one of his favorite auditions.</p>

<p>Hi touchstone1, glad to hear your sons audition went well. Did he audition for acting or musical theater? Not sure if you remember, but can you tell me what seemed to be appropriate clothing for the guys. Any additional help or advice is appreciated. I tried sending you a PM but I’m new to the board and it wouldn’t allow me to.</p>

<p>Hi, for those that attended the musical theater audition at UCLA, can you let me know about the 16 bars. The section my son’s vocal coach gave him is actually 18 bars, will they allow him to do the 18? </p>

<p>Also, I know there are lot’s of students they need to see, do the students get a chance at all to work with the accompanist, or do they just walk in and hand them the music. For instance, if they wanted the music played a little more up tempo or they wanted to add a tag, can they suggest this. Thanks in advance for you help.</p>

<p>Swtdonna, you might also try posting your question in the Musical Theatre forum. There is a UCLA MT subforum over there. </p>

<p>[University</a> of California - Los Angeles MT - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles-mt/]University”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-los-angeles-mt/)</p>

<p>Thank you NJtheatermom, I will try and find it, will it come up through a search?</p>

<p>Just click on the link in my post, swtdonna. :)</p>

<p>Or go to “College Majors”, then “Musical Theatre Majors,” then “Musical Theatre Schools.” </p>

<p>You’ll figure it out! Let us know if you need any more guidance.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure 18 bars isn’t going to be a problem if they ask for 16 bars. If the song is written in such a way that the natural break isn’t until after the 18th bar. It’s when people try to perform 30 or 40 bars of a song that it gets to be a problem.</p>