BFA in Musical Theatre- Audition Information

Please read all of the following information.

Audition dates: Saturdays February 7, 21; and March 7, 2009.
Audition Site: Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center, 275 North Jordan Avenue
(on the corner of Seventh Street and Jordan Avenue)

Step One: Contact Information

Step Two: Prescreening Audition Packet

To be invited to an audition day, you must first submit a prescreening audition packet. The audition packet must include the application/check list form, a picture with attached resume, high school transcript, DVD or VHS Tape audition, and one page personal statement.

• Application/check list: You must print out and complete the checklist, which can be downloaded here. Please include this completed checklist with your application. Please be sure to indicate your preferred day of audition with second and third choices. We will do everything possible to try and accommodate your choice. Early application is helpful in this process.
• Picture and resume: Your picture should look like you and reflect your personality. Studio quality portraits are not necessary. Your resume should list all performance experience and related experience. Your resume should also indicate other extracurricular activities as well as honors and awards in any area.
• High School Transcript: The transcript does not need to be official to ease sending. We will compare this transcript with the one sent to the university upon invitation to an audition day.
• DVD or VHS Tape Audition: The video audition does NOT need to be studio quality. Asking a teacher or a friend to tape your audition with a home camera is more than sufficient. Start the audition tape with an introduction including your name, titles of your pieces, and a short statement of why your want to pursue a career in the performing arts. Your taped audition should include 2 contrasting songs and 1 contemporary monologue. The songs should be between 16 and 32 measures each. Choose material that best demonstrates your vocal and acting ability. Treat the song as a monologue with a strong sense of action. The monologue should be from a contemporary play and not exceed 60 seconds. The audition with both songs and monologue should not exceed three minutes not including your introduction.
• Personal Statement: Please compose a one page essay stating the reasons why you desire a career in musical theatre. Good composition and grammar are important, but also allow your writing style to reflect who you are.

Please send your audition packet to the following address. All audition packets become the property of The Department of Theatre and Drama at Indiana University and may not be returned.

BFA Musical Theatre Audition 2009
Department of Theatre and Drama
275 N. Jordan Bloomington, IN 47405-1101

Remember, priority deadline is December 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted until January 5, 2009. Notification of acceptance or denial of an invitation to campus will be sent by December 20th for applications received by December 1. Notification will be sent by January 10 for applications receivedbetween December 2 and January 5.  Thank you for your submission!

Step Three: Audition Day

Audition Day Activities:
The audition day is both morning and afternoon. Specific audition times will be sent with an accepted application.

Check in will take place in the Michael Lobby of the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.

Students:
Dance class (1 hour)
Acting class (1 hour)
Break
4-minute individual audition

Parents:
Meeting with Professor George Pinney
Building Tour
Discussion of program requirements and opportunities
Break
Reconnect with students following individual auditions

• Prospective students will begin the day with a dance class to warm up the mind and body as well as demonstrate proficiency and potential. (Please wear comfortable stretch clothing.) An acting class will follow in which basic ensemble work and improvisation will be explored. After lunch, individual auditions will commence.

• Please prepare two contrasting songs of 16 to 32 measures each. Material should be chosen that best demonstrates vocal and acting ability. Treat the song as a monologue with a strong sense of character, wants and desires. Who are you singing to, why and what do you hope to achieve. Your music should be clearly marked and in the correct key for the accompanist (provided). We prefer you sing with a piano. CD, cassette tape or a cappella is not allowed. In addition, prepare one 60 second monologue from any American play. Please limit the total time of songs and monologue to 3 minutes.

• Please bring picture and resume to the audition.

• During the acting and dance classes, there will be a meeting for parents to answer any questions about the program and a tour of the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.
  

All students are admitted into the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre by prescreening and audition. Application for admittance into Indiana University is separate from the audition. Students applying for the BFA should submit an application to the University as soon as possible and definitely before submitting an application to the BFA Program in Musical Theatre.

Priority deadline for applications is December 1, 2008. Applications will still be received and considered until January 5, 2009.