Audition Tips

Theatre Arts Audition Tips

Auditioning always involves a certain amount of stress and tension. The best way for you to respond to the demands of this situation is to carefully prepare for your audition. Choose material which you understand both intellectually and emotionally, stay with characters close to your own age range, and read the play in its entirety, not just the monologue. You must memorize the monologue and strive to allow us to discover with you how the monologue reveals the character's inner feelings and intentions. Remember every song is a monologue also and you must act it as well as sing it. We are looking for your ability to find and reveal the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the character through your own experience and understanding.

Some Specifics

Do's:

  1. If you are using an accompanist for your musical theatre audition, have your sheet music prepared in the correct key. The music should be clean, clearly marked, and laid out to eliminate or simplify page turning.
  2. Pay strict attention to the time limits specified in the audition requirement sheet.
  3. If you are using recorded music, please have it cued to its starting point.
  4. Place the character to whom you are speaking just behind and above the auditioners - that way we will be able to see you better.
  5. Bring a headshot and resume' so the auditioners have a better chance of getting to know you.

Don't s:

  1. Avoid monologues that are from movies, monologues you wrote yourself, or pieces that are not from plays but simply contained in books of monologues.
  2. Don't try to play both characters in a scene by talking to and answering "yourself."
  3. Avoid elaborate introductions, since we are probably already familiar with the piece you have chosen. Simply introduce yourself, the show from which your monologues and songs are taken, and the name of the character before you begin your selections.

Design and Technical Interview Tips

You will interview with faculty and professional staff members in the program. The faculty will look over your portfolio and ask you some questions about your experience and your process. The portfolio should be content driven not presentation driven. In other words, we are more interested in your creative process; how you communicate your ideas orally and visually, organize the development of your ideas through research and visual aids, manage data and problem-solve.

Your portfolio may include examples of graphic skills, artistic skills, creative skills, drawing, photography, sculpture, painting, drafting or any examples of prior theatrical experience. Students interested in Stage Management should bring copies of their prompt books. Photos of productions are helpful. Documentation of how you communicate your ideas to others is also helpful.

Dance Audition Tips

You will participate in both a ballet (ballet shoes required, no pointe shoes) and modern dance (bare feet) taught by faculty at SUU. Perhaps you have had extensive experience in one discipline and limited exposure to the other. Don't worry! The faculty is looking for your potential for success in our program and we encourage you to apply yourself to all aspects of the audition. For your performance solo the following are specific tips:

  • Have your music properly cued.
  • Pay strict attention to the time limit of one minute
  • Make sure that you perform a solo you choreographed.
  • The solo should demonstrate both your technical and creative potential.
  • Wear dark colors of leotards and tights and make sure your hair is properly secured.

Good luck! Remember it is the goal of the faculty to make auditions relaxed, educational, and enjoyable and we hope for your best performance.

Contact the department.