BFA MUSICAL THEATRE DEGREE PROGRAM
BSU On-Site Audition/Interview Guidelines

DESCRIPTION:
The audition for the Musical Theatre Option consists 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.

ACTING, DANCE AND VOCAL AUDITION GUIDELINES:

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 provide for your use if you choose to use them.
• Monologues must be memorized!
• The monologue audition should be preceded by an introduction which includes only the following items:
  • Your name,
  • The name of play and playwright.

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

• Please dress in dance attire or rehearsal outfits that allow for freedom of movement.
• Bring jazz, ballet or character shoes; at the very least bring athletic shoes. Sneakers are NOT recommended.
• Bring tap shoes if you have experience in tap dancing.
• You will be taught at several short warm-up exercises.
• You will be taught a Jazz style dance combination.
• All students will participate in a ballet audition and will do work at the barre.
• There will be a tap audition for those of you who can tap.

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

• The singing audition should be preceded by an introduction that includes
  • The names of the song, the musical and include the composer/lyricists.
• Select songs from musicals or operettas (NO FOREIGN LANGUAGE classical repertoire, etc.)
• Select a song sung by a character close to your age (with 7 year).
• Songs must be no longer than 32 measures in length; ballad OR up tempo. Every attempt should be made for selections to have as much contrast in style and character as is possible to provide adjudicators a sense of you abilities.
• Songs must be the original/correct keys.
• Have two selections prepared; you will probably sing only one.
• Send all well-marked music to the Department of Theatre/Dance no later than two weeks before your audition to insure competent accompaniment.
• You must use the Ball State University provided accompanist.
• Songs from the following musicals/composers are considered either iconic and/or utilized too often and are no longer effective in the audition process. Please DO NOT select music from the following shows:
  • LES MISERABLES
  • PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Webber)
  • WICKED
  • RENT
  • AIDA
  • JEKYLL AND HYDE
  • Music by Stephen Sondheim

Applicants auditioning in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles will need to provide their own accompanist via CD/Ipod recordings. Students will also provide their own sound equipment.
We audition hundreds of applicants each year from almost ten different locales for the musical theatre program. Because of this, please be aware that neither the Musical Theatre faculty nor audition coordinator will provide feedback or critiques of an individual's audition. Thank you in advance for your patience in this matter.