New Student Auditions/Presentations

Audition/Presentation Preparation

An audition or presentation is required for entry in the Theater major at IUP or the Music-Theater or Dance Arts' tracks in the Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Major, in addition to an interview. The purpose for the audition/presentation is to discern whether or not each student is prepared for success in our program. Your performance in the audition/presentation, your academic record in high school or college, your SAT scores and your recommendations will all be taken into consideration when we make our decision.

How to determine whether to audition or do a presentation:

The degree we offer is a BA in Theater or Interdisciplinary Fine Arts. You get to study all areas of theory and practice in the discipline(s) including literature, history, performance and technical production. Theater majors typically begin a theater concentration focusing on acting, directing, design/tech, music-theater or theory/history by their junior year. Coming into the program we ask you to give us some indication of what you’ve done creatively, and what you are capable of now.  Depending upon your area of interest, please note below whether an audition or a presentation would be required:

1. Audition - for potential theater majors who consider performance their strength, a two to three minute audition of contrasting monologues (with an option to sing or dance, if desired as the contrast to an acting monologue).

2. Presentation - for potential theater majors who consider design, technical production, directing, playwriting or theory their strength, a prepared statement of one minute or less, followed by a presentation of at least one and no more than three examples of your production or artistic skills. (Examples may be from any activity, not just theatrical productions.) Likewise, a student who considers academic research their strength should present essays or other examples of their scholarship.

3. Audition - for Interdisciplinary Fine Arts majors with a track in Music-Theater: one to two minute acting monologue coupled with either 16 bars of a song or one minute of a dance (jazz, tap or modern).  (In addition, there would be an audition and testing required for admission to the Music Department.)

4. Audition - for Interdisciplinary Fine Arts majors with a track in Dance Arts: The audition for the IFA dance track will consist of the following: a maximum 90 second dance demonstrating technical proficiency and performance capabilities at the intermediate level of either ballet or modern dance techniques in addition to a second maximum 90 second dance demonstrating technical proficiency and performance in a secondary area of dance selected from ballet, tap, jazz, modern, ballroom or ethnic styles.

 

What to expect in the audition/interview:

At least two and sometimes three theater professors will meet with all prospective majors before you begin. There will be time for questions and preparation. We will be videotaping your audition/presentation for our records. Please relax and don’t worry. You will do your best by being yourself. Follow the guidelines for auditions and presentations provided in this packet and you will do fine.

If you don’t know what to perform or present:

We are most interested in seeing your creative potential. If you don’t have a performance or production history from which to draw, you should consider creating something in response to any play script. Possible creations include but are not limited to:

A written playscript or monologue                             A drawing or painting

A sculpture or model                                                  A dance or performance piece

A musical composition                                               A scholarly essay

Requirements for Becoming a Theater of IFA Major

Students wishing to major in Theater or Interdisciplinary Fine Arts (IFA) are required to fulfill three requirements:

1. Academic good standing at IUP (or acceptance at IUP as full time student)

2. Successful audition or presentation coupled with an interview with faculty

3. Three recommendations (form provided by the department).

4. IFA majors with a music-theater track must also be accepted into the Music Department

Theater and Dance faculty will review applicant’s materials to discern the student’s potential for success in the program. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply after pursuing further production experience/courses or academic improvement.

Note that application materials will also be used to award the following scholarships to qualified applicants.

Scholarship options (in addition to numerous other scholarships available from IUP):

Board of Governors Scholarship

Provost Scholarship

Theater-by-the-Grove Freshman Talent Scholarship

REQUIREMENTS/GUIDELINES FOR AUDITIONS:

1. AUDITION SELECTIONS: Each candidate must present two contrasting memorized selections, the combined length of which should not exceed three minutes. Your two selections may consist of two monologues, or, if you plan to sing, one monologue and one song, or if you plan to dance, one monologue and one dance.

2. MUSICAL SELECTIONS: Choose a musical selection if you are a singer. If you are going to sing, select an up-beat show tune rather than pop, church or folk songs. One verse or one chorus is sufficient. (Sixteen bars is often the best choice). Remember that your song is included in the three minute time limit. Your accompaniment needs to be on a CD or pre-cued on a cassette.

3. DANCE AUDITION: Choose a musical selection if you are a dancer. It needs to be only one style of dance. However, if you have studied different styles of dance, pick the style that best shows your talent. Your accompaniment needs to be on a CD or pre-cued on a cassette.

4. CASTING YOURSELF: Select roles in your own age and emotional range and from material with which you are familiar and feel comfortable. You are not expected to do a classical piece but may do so if you choose. Look for selections with contrasting moods, intentions, emotional levels, etc. “Contrast” can be demonstrated through type of character and material such as serious/comedic, contemporary/classical, urban/rural, etc. rather than age.

5. TIME LIMIT: Remember that no audition is ever too short. Don’t feel obligated to “fill” the entire three minutes. One or two minutes is more than sufficient and often refreshing to the auditors. Three minutes is the maximum time permitted.  You will likely be asked to stop after three minutes, especially if there are a number of students auditioning/presenting that day.  Remember that, in this case, less is indeed more!

6. STAGING: Stage your audition with a minimum of movement as you will be taped. You should try to work within a 5 to 8 foot radius. No props or costume should be used unless the item is one you would normally carry such as eye glasses, handkerchief, a wristwatch, etc. Wear clothes that permit ease of movement and are comfortable. Avoid hair styles which hide your features. Try to keep your audition simple. Elaborate staging will remove the focus from where it should be - - on you! Speak in an articulate, clear voice.

7- MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT You must provide your own accompaniment on a pre-recorded CD or cassette.  

8. REHEARSING YOUR AUDITION Be sure to rehearse out loud and on your feet with an experienced teacher, director, or coach. Refer to any one of several excellent books on “how to audition” for additional guidelines and hints. Above all, don’t worry! Consider this audition to be a learning experience designed to help you grow as a student performer and as a chance to explore the possible next step in your training career. We look forward to meeting you and wish you good luck!

GUIDELINES FOR PRESENTATIONS:

1. Prepare to make a brief statement, no more than a minute long summarizing your artistic, mechanical and/or management/organizational abilities.  You may read this or memorize it.

2. Prepare a presentation of at least one and no more than three examples of your graphic, mechanical and/or organizational skills.  Consider all the possibilities—one of our recent graduates, an amateur magician, presented his illusion-making devices.  These examples may be from any activity, not just theatrical productions. Materials might include but are not limited to:
   1. Photos of sets, costumes or props which you helped to design, build or paint
   2. Equipment or mechanical devices you have created and/or repaired.
   3. Examples of home construction projects
   4. Samples of sewing and craftwork.
   5. Freehand or mechanical drawings (class projects or from your own practice)
   6. Lighting plots which you helped to design or hang
   7. Prompt books you used as assistant director or stage manager
   8. Prop lists and organizational charts
   9. Publicity/program material you designed

You should prepare your examples for presentation using binders, display boards or some other device.  The way you organize and present your materials can say as much about you as what you are presenting.

3. Rehearse and time your presentation.  The total time you have for this presentation is 5 minutes.  This is the maximum time allowed, so anything under this time is greatly encouraged!  If we have specific questions or want to look further at something, we’ll talk with you more after your presentation.

Don’t worry! Consider the interview a learning process to help you explore the next step in your training career.  We look forward to meeting you at IUP and wish you good luck!

For All Students

1. Bring any letters of recommendation from teachers or directors who know your production and/or acting work.
2. Bring your completed blue Department of Theater and Dance Audition Form This is for both performance and production students. Forms are available by calling the theater office at (724) 357-2965 or by emailing Toni Apryasz, the department secretary.
3. You will audition/interview in front of at least two faculty members from the Department of Theater and Dance.
4. If you have never auditioned or interviewed give me a call and we can discuss the process.
5. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Blackledge, the department chair, at (724) 357-2965.