Auditions for Musical Theatre

*These guidelines are subject to change based on audition modality. Any changes will be communicated via your application portal and from audtions@bsu.edu. 

At the on-campus auditions, the dance audition will occur before the acting and singing auditions.

If you are auditioning at the Unifieds in New York and Chicago, the dance audition will happen toward the end of each day after the auditions have been completed (you will have a chance to sign up for times prior to your audition day or on-site).  It's possible to do your dance audition on a different day than your acting/singing audition if you need to do so. If you are auditioning in LA, you will need to send a digital dance audition as we do not hold live dance auditions at that location.

In order for the dance faculty to properly assess your placement, alignment, and movement skills, it is essential that you adhere to the dress code below for the audition

• Supportive undergarments – dance belts and sports bras as appropriate.
• Hair neat and pulled up and away from the face.
• No loose or dangling jewelry of any kind.
• No baggy clothing of any kind, including but not limited to sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweatpants, shorts.
• Tights in black, white, or color inclusive tones to enhance the line of the body. 
• Leotards/unitards in black, white, or color inclusive tones to enhance the line of the body.
• All attire needs to be form fitting and snug to the body.
• Ballet slippers in black, white, or color inclusive tones to enhance the line of the body.
• Bare feet and socks could be required

For JAZZ classes:

• Any color tightly fitted T-shirt, leotard or tank, with tights, jazz pants, or other close fitting pants.
• Socks or bare feet for warm up, jazz shoes for progressions and center work.

There will be time between dance and acting/singing auditions to change. If attending an on-campus audition you are free to register in your dance attire.

The dance audition will run in the following order and be taught as a class:

• You will be taught several ballet barre exercises and/or combinations.
• You will be taught a jazz progression and/or combination.
• If you wish to be considered for advanced placement in tap, you may also complete a tap combination, but please note that this portion of the audition is optional and for placement purposes only.

*These guidelines are subject to change based on audition modality. Any changes will be communicated via your application portal and from auditions@bsu.edu.

Prepare at least two 16-32 bar song selections contrasting in style that demonstrate your range and versatility. Music must be printed and in a 1-inch, three-ring binder.

Appropriate material are songs from musicals (preferable), songs in the musical theatre style not from a specific show, or operettas (no art songs or arias). Pop, rock, country, etc., are appropriate for one of the selections.

Select a song sung by a character within 5-10 years of your playable age range.

You will most likely audition with one song to start, and those auditioning you may or may not ask for a second song. Every attempt should be made for selections to have as much contrast in style and character as is possible to provide adjudicators with a sense of your abilities.

If auditioning on campus and at Chicago and New York Unifieds, you must use the Ball State University provided accompanist. Please bring your music with you to the audition, and make sure it is well marked. Applicants auditioning in Los Angeles and Virtually will need to provide their own recorded accompaniment (and player/sound equipment).

Music Preparation Tips - watch this video to help you prepare your music for your accompanist!

*These guidelines are subject to change based on audition modality. Any changes will be communicated via your application portal and from audtions@bsu.edu. 

Prepare one contemporary monologue that is one-minute in length (maximum). Please time your monologue; it will not reflect favorably on your audition if you exceed the time limit.

We may ask you for a second monologue. If so, your monologues should contrast: differences in tone, language styles, and character (i.e. characters who may speak differently, move differently, and/or have a different set of values). If you feel comfortable with a classical piece, you may choose to do one.

Choose monologues that are well written and from published plays. Avoid monologues from movies, monologue books (unless you have read the play), musicals and the internet. Never attempt an audition monologue without reading the entire play and understanding your character in the context of the play.

Monologues should have a beginning, middle, and end with a journey, discovery, or change.

Choose characters that are within five years of your playable age range.

Do not choose monologues that require accents, eccentric characterizations, props or costumes.

Portray one character per monologue. Avoid material that is overly sexual, violent, or offensive (i.e. there are a number of monologues about suicide, rape, and abortion; we advise against using those.)

Avoid climactic material that requires great depth or intensity of emotions. There is not enough time to achieve these emotional peaks effectively and honestly.

Finally, choose material that you connect with and love. Choose a character and a play or musical that you are passionate about. We want to get to know you through this material and the character you are portraying.  We are looking for you to create an honest relationship with the person you're speaking to in your monologue, as well as clear given circumstances outlined by the playwright.

Your audition should be preceded by an introduction including only the following items:

• your name
• the name of your song and the musical it’s from, as well as the name(s) of the composer(s) and lyricist(s)
• the name of the play your monologue is from, and the name of the playwright

Example

"Hi, my name is Jane Smith; I will be performing the song ‘I Cain’t Say No’ from Oklahoma by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and a monologue from Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams.”

We are often taping the auditions for other faculty members to watch at a later date, so do not be thrown off if you see a camera. You will need to wait for the person operating the camera to give you a go ahead before you slate your name and pieces.

This is our first impression of you! Practice your introduction so you feel confident. Find out how to correctly pronounce the names of the play/playwright and composer/lyricist/musical.

During your song and monologue, choose focal points slightly above and/or to the side of those you are auditioning for. Don’t look us in the eye or use us as your scene partner (unless you ask, but generally it is best not to do this). We need to be focusing on you, vs. being in the scene with you.

Those auditioning you may be writing notes (or typing on a laptop) while you’re introducing yourself and also while you’re doing your pieces. Don’t let this distract you, and no need to wait for us to look at you before you start. Because of time, we need to take notes while you are performing. We assure you, we are watching you, seeing you, and are very supportive of you and your work.

Practice transitioning from one piece into the other.  Students will often ask us, “Just go right into the next one?” The answer to that is always “yes.” So build your transition into your work and decide how you’ll move from one piece to the next.

You may be asked to make an adjustment and try a piece again.

Choose clothing and shoes that are simple and comfortable. Be sure clothes fit well and are not too baggy or too tight. Clothes should be clean, ironed, tasteful, and allow us to concentrate on your work rather than your outfit. Please avoid large jewelry, and uncomfortable or hard-to-stand-in high heels.

Please make sure your hair is out of your face (so we can see you!)

Creating a list of questions you ask every university for which you are auditioning may allow you to compare programs more specifically.  However, the answers to many of your questions will be on the various departmental websites and in printed materials, so we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to research the programs prior to your audition. It's possible that you will be asked what you are looking for in a program and why you're interested in our program in particular.  Having a sense of what differentiates one program from another is one of the best things you can do prior to your college theatre audition.

If you haven't been able to find an answer to your question(s), please feel free to ask the faculty or the theatre students who will be present on your audition day. We want to make sure you get the information you need!

This is a time for us to find out a bit more about you, and for you to learn more about our program and us. Relax, breathe, and be yourself.  We look forward to meeting you!