Unified Auditions

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Some insight from our experiences at Chicago Unifieds, especially in response to Song4U. I was so on top of things last fall, making sure my daughter got everything in early so we wouldn't have to worry about slots filling up. However, it did create somewhat of a disadvantage for my daughter. Three of the five schools she auditioned at placed students for vocal/monologue times based on when their audition/application material was received, or the order you called the school to schedule. Now this was great for us last fall, because we were able to coordinate everything and get an appt. for every school she wanted, but in reality, it meant that for two of the three mornings, she was one of the first students to audition as soon as the information session was over. So it was basically... information session over, allow everyone to exit the room and, voila, it was her turn. These just happened to be schools that did not require dance auditions. Had we a chance to do it over again, or had it been a possibility, we would have requested 4th or 5th or later in the line-up just so she'd have time to collect herself after the information session, and maybe even warm-up. However, I'm sure all the auditors were professional, and realized that the first couple of kids auditioning right after the information session had no time to warm up (because they were obviously sitting in on an information session), and took this into consideration. It's just the reality of the situation.</p>

<p>I will say that one of her schools ran way ahead of schedule. She was there, but I almost wasn't to watch her stuff out in the hallway (I had gone to run an errand in another part of the hotel). And then there was Emerson, who used an entirely different approach to scheduling - it was self selection, meaning the kids had to figure it out amongst themselves after the dance audition was over with who was going to go when. Unfortunately, my daughter went to change clothes first, and by the time she got back, she was basically at the end of the list, which was a problem for us because this put her at an almost 5:45 audition slot. Since we live in the area, she had a school activity she had to get back for, and after a bit, she asked if anyone would switch spots so she could get done and leave (she was the only student who had another commitment to get to after Emerson auditions). There was one very accommodating, kind girl who generously offered her spot, which moved my daughter up about seven spots earlier. So it all worked out... no problem. </p>

<p>Lesson learned... being proactive and on top of things doesn't always put you in the most advantageous spot, depending on whether you're a morning or night person - I suppose somewhere out there, there are kids who would do well in the morning... you know, get it over with then you don't have to stress all day, but my daughter just tends to get more alert and energetic as the day goes on, and really doesn't let waiting around get to her, so to have first auditions in the morning groups was a jolt to her.</p>

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<p>Teriwtt & Song4U - when you call the schools for Unified appointments, are you able to request certain time slots? It seems that you both called really early in the process, but in the end had somewhat different experiences as far as how much you were able to get done and I am trying to figure out how each school went about things (CMU pretty much set at 4 hours and waiting in between), CCM (scattered but confirmed timeslots so you can "squeeze in" a walk in), BoCo (also scattered but confirmed), Webster & Hartt ("fast"). When I say scattered I mean separate dance, monologue and vocal calls, not disorganized :-). Oops I really need to get running to school now!</p>

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<p>MTgrl08:</p>

<p>My D submitted all of her apps online, and some of the schools for Unifieds, allowed you to schedule your audition online as well. In reference to Teriwtt's experience with early morning audition times, maybe she scheduled prior to my D. If I'm remembering correctly, you could schedule most of the auditions by early September for the schools that she was looking at doing in Chicago. CMU, CCM, and BoCo were all scheduled online and the audition fee paid online, and for Webster she had to fill out a form and return by snail mail with a check for the audition fee. CMU specified that you needed to reserve a 4 hour block for them and you had a choice of dates with a morning block or afternoon block to choose from. CCM, said to reserve most of the day for their audition and said that even though they had given you a time that time could change up until a week before the audition date. I don't recall a choice of times, only dates, and maybe morning or afternoon. When the email confirmation came after they had varified the credit card payment, there were 3 hours in between the dance call and the song/monologue apptmt, which ended up working well for squeezing in a walk-in, in between. Even though CCM said not to bank on the time, until 1 week out, we went ahead and asked BoCo for a mid morning song/monologue apptmt., and got it. The times for CCM did not change from the original times. And even though BoCo was running behind that morning, she still had plenty of time to go back up to the room and get changed for the dance audition for CCM. Knowing that CMU was going to take the whole afternoon on the 2nd day, she requested mid morning for Webster and got it. CCM also has a $50 change fee, if you had to cancel your apptmt., and re-book, so had they come back with different times 1 week out, that interfered with BoCo, I don't know what my D would have done, b/c BoCo was not doing walk-ins, and from previous experience with another D, CCM is usually full and has no other available apptmts. CMU would allow a few walk-ins though.</p>

<p>It was late October that she booked her audition times for Unifieds, b/c in Sept. she was still trying to decide which schools to do on campus. Originally she was going to do Otterbein at Unifieds too, but decided that she wanted to go on campus, so we did it the weekend before Unifieds, and then flew straight to Chicago from Columbus, which gave her Sunday to re-group, rest and get ready for the scheduled ones on Monday and Tuesday. </p>

<p>Of the 4 auditions she scheduled prior to going, we had only visited the campus of one, CMU. So, depending on what comes in the mail, will be the deciding factor of whether we have to squeeze in some on campus visits.</p>

<p>Another thing I might add, is to remember that in Chicago weather can play a big part on travel plans. When I booked our room at the Palmer House, (in September) I didn't know exactly how many schools my D was going to do, or if we would need all 3 days, but I booked the room for Sunday - Wednesday just to have it. When my D decided to do Otterbein on campus and we were going to fly from Columbus to Chicago Sat. night, that meant I had to add on another night. When I called they could add on another night, but not with 2 double beds like my original booking was, and once you check into a room they will not allow you to change rooms for bed preferances. We ended up having to share the King for the whole time which was really no big deal. We had the last flight out home, on Tues., which left a little before 8 pm. Well, mid-morning that day it started to snow, so I called AA to check on our flight (at noon) and it had already been cancelled due to weather, and we had been rebooked on the 6 am flight out Wed. morning. I had never cancelled our room for the last night and it is a good thing I hadn't. The hotel was sold out. The airport shuttle was supposed to pick us up at 5:30 pm, and she did not finish her CMU audition until 5:45, so we would have missed the shuttle even if our flight hadn't been cancelled. And considering that week it was -20 with the wind chill, that would have been a real mess trying to find another hotel, had I checked out at regular time. So all in all, things worked out for the best, and she got to do the 6 pm walk-in to Miami that she didn't think she was going to get to do.</p>

<p>If you have any more specific questions, PM me and I'll try to help. I know how mind boggling this process can be, b/c this time last year I was reading and taking notes on how best to accomplish everything.</p>

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<p>I have a question about walk-in auditions... are these at schools to which you have already applied academically? Schools with rolling admissions? Schools where the admissions office allows students whom the department would like to accept to apply late? This was actually how URTA worked for graduate school... you did not apply to the institution academically until you already had an offer from the department, but I wasn't sure if undergraduate admissions through the unifieds worked in a similar fashion.</p>

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<p>MTgrl08:
Unfortunately, all this scheduling happened so many months ago, I can't keep straight how I scheduled what. Some were on-line, and some were via phone. However, I do believe almost all of them asked if we wanted a morning or afternoon. Since she had two auditions each on Monday and Tuesday, I had to specify morning or afternoon so we wouldn't have conflicts. I don't think any school gave us the option of a specific time within morning or afternoon.</p>

<p>It was just not anything that occured to me, which is why I am sharing our experience with others for future reference. No matter how you schedule, on-line or by phone, understand that early requests might put you first in that time frame, either right after a dance audition, or right after an information session if there is one. </p>

<p>The only one I distinctly remember calling was NYU, and I called the first morning they opened up their schedule for Unifieds... my daughter was first to audition with them Wednesday morning. It's kind of funny because we got a call from NYU yesterday, saying they had my daughter's resume, but not her headshot. The only thing we brought with us were headshots with resumes attached to the back (rubber cement). So I'm suspecting that, in the midst of rushing to get everything done, changing shoes, getting her music out, getting her resume out, etc., papers must have been shuffled around, and her resume must have separated from her headshot. Her headshot had her name on it, but there's no telling where it ended up. I was just so grateful they called us to ask for another one, instead of assuming my daughter didn't have any. Yea... that was a $14 overnighter!</p>

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<p>TO: KatMT
"Walk ins" (our experiences) at the NYC unifieds - front desk at the AMA had a list of schools offering walk-ins. We then decided which we would try and if we had the time. Then after finding the school's door (which also had a paper sign stating walk-ins welcome), we waited to see the auditor(s) exit (or return) to ask if we may audition. All this with no prior application, however, we were encouraged to apply asap (don't believe these schools had prior deadlines). Hope this helped.</p>

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<p>KatMT-</p>

<p>In Chicago they had a big bulletin board up in the main lobby of the 7th floor where most of the schools were, and on it were different brochures and some had on there if they were doing "walk ins". My D knew exactly which schools she wanted to do a "walk in" for, so we just went directly to that room, and then she asked.</p>

<p>Both Hartt and PSU had a person sitting outside the door to check people in for their apptmts, and this person was who told her when she could have one. Hartt gave her a specific time and PSU said that if she could wait about 15 minutes they would work her in. Miami did not have someone outside, so when the auditior came out between apptmts. she asked him.</p>

<p>She had not applied previously to any of these schools. Hartt gave her the application to fill out before she came back for her apptmt., and she had to have a check for the app fee too ($65). PSU said to apply immediately if she was interested, but did not have any fee for the "walk in". Miami gave her some paperwork to fill out after she finished her audition, to leave with him, along with a $50 audition fee. This $50 fee was their standard audition fee, so it was not something extra, b/c she had done a "walk in". So, you might want to plan on having some checks with you for these fees, if you want to do any "walk ins".</p>

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<p>Have people who did the Unifieds gotten any feedback yet?</p>

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<p>Thank you for the information on walk-ins.... it sounds as if only the schools that did not have prior deadlines (or had worked something out eith the college admissions office) were granting walk-in appointments. THANKS!</p>

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<p>Hello!
I walked into 4 auditions, but only 2 of them mentioned that I needed to get my application in (one of them said RIGHT AWAY! and the other didn't specify when). The actual general admission deadlines were already over in Dec or Jan for most, but obviously that doesn't apply for walk-ins. All they have, as of now, are my headshot and resume.
I'm trying to manage my time as best I can (and this is an extremely busy time period for me!), but I was wondering if anyone knew whether I should wait to see if I get a letter or a call or call the colleges to find out "special-case walk-in deadlines" or what. If I don't send one in really soon, would they just forget my audition and throw away my audition material or would they contact me?
Thanks!</p>

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<p>Well.. obviously send the application for the one that said RIGHT AWAY!... right away :) I would probably do the same for the other school as well.</p>

<p>As far as the schools who mentioned nothing... it is possible that the two schools that did not mention the admissions application may not be considering you for the program, and therefor did not tell you to make sure to apply to the college... this may not be the case, but you will not know if you don't contact the departments. You may not get a fast response because it is a busy time for them as well, so I would suggest calling rather than emailing. </p>

<p>The issue is what is the "deal" the school has with the admissions office. This most likely differs from school to school. I teach in a BA musical theatre program that, obviously, does not go to Unifieds because we are not a BFA. I know that our admissions office would not allow someone to apply after the deadline, no matter how badly we may want to accept him or her after seeing the audition (we, in fact, will not audition anyone who has not already applied to the university) . The schools that allow walk-ins must have another arrangement with their admissions offices, but a "random" application being sent to admissions (without an explaination) after the deadline may get thrown in the trash. The department is your best bet for information on how to proceed.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

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<p>I'm so confused. Miami had someone at Unifieds two weeks ago? Then why is our son auditioning offsite in Chicago February 21?</p>

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<p>Mamalot--</p>

<p>I'm not sure why Miami is doing another audition in Chicago on the 21st. Is it for the BFA in MT? The audition at the Unifieds in Chicago was for the BFA, but they also have a BM in MT, but I thought you could only audition on campus for the BM.</p>

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<p>No, I know Miami also holds BM auditions in NYC (they did the last two years, anyway) so I don't see why they wouldn't have them in Chicago, as well. It is confusing though.</p>

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<p>Mamalot -- Miami is the only school I am aware of that offers two completely separate MT degree programs: 1) BFA in MT in the Theatre Arts Dept.; and 2) BM in MT from the Frost School of Music. They each conduct their own auditions, both on campus and off. The program present at Unifieds is the BFA from Theatre Arts. The audition in Chicago on Feb. 21 is one of the regional dates for the Frost School of Music, during which they will audition all performance candidates to the Frost school, including all instrumentalists and voice. BM in MT is run out of the voice dept. of the Frost School. </p>

<p>That explains why Miami would have two different auditions in Chicago. If you haven't browsed it yet, the U of Miami thread in this forum has lots of discussion of U of Miami MT from last year. Good luck!</p>

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<p>This is my first time posting on this site which I have been following for the last 2 weeks with keen interest as I will be helping my d next year with the audition process. WallyWorld, you said your daughter used a sonnet for her classical piece. Obviously if she was accepted on the spot at one school the sonnet was acceptable for a classical piece? Also I've been reading about the auditions in Lincoln Nebraska at the ITC. Are they helpful to do? If your child is not asked for a callback does that hurt their chance when they apply to the school directly? Thanks!</p>

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<p>Actingmom,</p>

<p>Welcome!</p>

<p>She did NOT use a sonnet as her classical piece. I think that is generally not recommended. She chose four monologues in the usual way. One of each; classic dramatic, classic comedic, contemporary dramatic and contemporary comedic. In addition she had a sonnet ready that she would do if asked. A couple of schools did ask for her to do the sonnet. We chose that as a way to be unique. Showing that she can handle complex text was impressive to some. I am not suggesting other applicants do that though. Most conservatories don’t teach sonnet work until the junior year of college and most HS seniors don’t have the abilities to pull that off with any distinction. Our D happens to have been around a lot of people who “speak” Shakespeare well over the years. To do a sonnet well you cant just memorize the words and parrot them back, there is way more to it than that. </p>

<p>Acceptance to the school versus the program depends on the school. Generally if it is just a conservatory (Juliard, NCSA, etc) acceptance to the school and the program are one in the same. Larger university like University of Minn. UCLA generally you apply to the school and you ask for an audition for possible admittance to the theater program. For us we knew she was accepted academically to the schools prior to the program audition. If it is a school like that you would most likely know if she was admitted prior to a callback. And generally no, if you get admitted to the school but not the theater program the school is still more than happy to have you attend.</p>

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<p>Dear WallyWorld, Thank you so much for the quick response and explanation. All of that makes total sense! So here is another one for you. Everything I have read on the auditions sites for the BFA programs states NOT to work on your monologue with a professional. I find it difficult to believe that is really the best approach. Did your d do all the work herself? My d has trained and performed professionally since she was 9 and she has never gone into an audition without being "coached" by a professional. I guess there is some line the schools must draw about being a professional and a student. We are also contemplating doing the Unifieds both is SF (where we live) and LA because she wants to audition for Chapman and they don't audition anywhere but at the school. Her other choices are: USC -first choice so far, UCLA, (she is a California girl) NYU, Fordham, Juilliard, BU, Emerson (we look at them Easter Break) UMich, CMU, SMU and for nonBFA UCI, UCSD, UCSB and LMU. We are on the fence about Evansville and UMinn. Although she loves MT and has been fairly successful in roles in high school, she is definitely going the straight acting route. She also wants more than just a conservatory experience... Juilliard will probably be cut from the list... but it's fun to dream about! Can you share your opinions on those schools? I greatly appreciate your feedback! Thanks!</p>

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<p>You are right that many of the schools discourage professional coaching. I presume they want to see the persons raw abilities. Ie they don’t want a student to have several really well done monologues but that’s not really them its their coach and without a coach telling them how to make choices they have no abilities of their own kind of thing. </p>

<p>The reality is that many kids certainly do have coaching not the least of which many of the applicants attend arts hs’s and you could argue that they have been coached for 4 years. There also is a cottage industry that I think you could argue was begun on CC of people holding themselves out as professional coaches specifically for hopefully conservatory bound students. Some coaches help with school selections and applications, monologue choices, guidance on what to wear and help with audition techniques. We did hire a coach for two weekends. I am glad we did as it gave D some additional confidence. </p>

<p>I know two profs at Chapman and they are amazing. Its not considered to be a top tier program but it is competitive. They do allow videotaped auditions so it is not mandatory to go to LA but if she is serious about going there I think she should. If she is not wanting a conservatory you might want to remove CMU & SMU. UCI is more known for MT I belive and has a good reputation for same. UCSB is my alma matter and they do offer a BFA. First you get into the school, you can audition for performances at any time but you audition for the acting program as I sophomore I believe. At any rate some time after you have been attending. The school is unbelievable and the theater/dance facilities are top of the line.</p>

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<p>Hi WallyWorld
We did check out UCSB last year and it is a 3 BFA year program with a sophomore year audition. The department is quite small. My d was not totally impressed by UCSB because we had just spent hours at USC with the bfa admissions director and she was totally in love with it and the facilities. But again so highly competitive. As Irvine is just another check on the UC application form, I thought it would be another southern cal option (I actually went there for a quarter and hated it, but that was long ago!) Glad to hear that about Chapman! I was unaware of the program until a couple of weeks ago. We are headed down there to check it out in 2 weeks. There just are so few options in California. Oh, I forgot my d will also apply to UCSD, but again that's just a click and acceptance is based on gpa and test scores. I had my doubts about CMU but a close friend's d just did the sleeping bag audition weekend on the campus and she absolutely raved about it, so we thought she should give it a shot. I know it is extremely competitive and I wasn't sure my d would be happy in Pittsburgh, but she wants to audtion. Really not completely sure about SMU, but it has had such an amazing reputation as far back as I can remember in the 70's. Do you mind me asking which schools your d chose? I think there may be a fair amount similarity in our d's. Thanks again this is so very, very helpful!</p>