Auditions for Ball State University's musical theatre option consist of three parts: acting, dancing, and singing. Your "audience" will consist of Department of Theatre and Dance faculty and students-all of whom will be wishing you great success!

The purpose of the audition is to help the musical theatre faculty identify your strengths and potential in each of the three areas. For admittance to the program, you must demonstrate the potential to develop your skills in all three areas.

Please read each of the following guidelines very carefully. If you have any questions regarding the musical theatre audition, please call Dr. Harold Mortimer (765)285-0974 or email him at hrmortimer@bsu.edu. General audition questions can be answered by calling (765)285-8740.

DANCE, ACTING and VOCAL AUDITION GUIDELINES:

DANCE: The dance audition will occur before the acting and singing auditions:

• You will be taught at several short warm-up exercises.
• You will be taught a dance combination.
• There will be a tap audition for those of you who can tap.
• Wear comfortable clothes or dance wear that allows for freedom of movement.
• Bring dance or character shoes; at the very least bring athletic shoes.
• Bring tap shoes if you have experience in tap dancing.

ACTING: Prepare one (1) monologue that is one minute in length from a modern 20th century play that showcases your talent:

• Select a monologue with a character close to your age.
• Avoid eccentric characterizations and do not use an accent.
• Select a monologue that does not portray multiple characters.
• Do avoid wearing a "costume" and have no more than one prop (if at all!).
• A chair and table will be provided for your use if you choose to use them.
• Try to be as "natural" and honest as possible.
• Monologues must be memorized!
• Places to look for monologues: Under 30" Plays for a New Generation, Plays for Actresses, Humana Festival Complete Plays, American Theatre Magazine.
• Avoid the following Playwrights: Christopher Durang, Larry Shue, Neil Simon, Wendy Wasserstein, and Tennessee Williams.
• The monologue and song audition should be preceded by an introduction which includes only the following items:

             -Your name
             -The name of your selections and characters you will portray.
             -The name of your song title, show and composer/lyricists.

SINGING:Prepare song(s) that demonstrate your range and versatility:

• Select songs from musicals or operettas(no Italian, etc.)
• Select a song with a character close to your age.
• Songs must be no longer than 16 measures in length; ballad OR up-tempo.
• Songs must be in the original/correct keys.
• Have two selections prepared; you will probably sing only one. In some cases the faculty may wish to hear an entire song.
• Send all well marked music to the Department of Theatre/Dance no later than two weeks before your audition to insure competent accompaniment.
• Ball State University will provide an accompanist.
• Do not choose songs from the following musicals:

          -LES MISERABLES, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Webber),WICKED, GODSPELL, RENT, AIDA, JEKYLL AND HYDE or any song of Stephen Sondheim designed for the older actor.