Audition, Portfolio Review and Scholarship Interview Guidelines

Students applying to the Illinois State University School of Theatre are required to audition in the areas of Acting and Dance and present a portfolio for the Design/Production sequence. Upcoming audition and portfolio review dates are:

Monday, November 12, 2007, at Illinois State University (Acting and Dance Auditions and Design/Production Portfolio Reviews only).
Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Chicago Academy for the Arts (Acting and Dance Auditions, Design/Production Portfolio Reviews and Scholarship Interviews).
Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the School of Theatre Open House on the Illinois State University campus (Acting and Dance Auditions, Design/Production Portfolio Reviews and Scholarship Interviews).
Friday, April 11, 2008, at Illinois State University (Acting and Dance Auditions and Design/Production Portfolio Reviews only).

Following are the guidelines for admittance to selected undergraduate sequences and for all incoming students interested in scholarship consideration.

Audition/Portfolio Review/Interview/Scholarship Requirements for Incoming Students

Freshmen and transfer students intending to pursue a Performance Sequence (Acting or Dance) are required to audition for admission into that sequence. Students intending to pursue the Design/Production Sequence must participate in a portfolio review and interview. Students auditioning for admittance to a Performance Sequence or presenting a portfolio for admittance to the Design/Production Sequence do not need to do an additional audition or interview for scholarship consideration.

Freshmen and transfer students intending to pursue the Theatre Education or Theatre Studies Sequences need only be accepted by Illinois State University and declare a Theatre major in either sequence. However, to be considered for scholarship support, students intending to pursue either option must participate in an interview and follow the requirements listed below.

Acting Sequence: Admittance and Scholarship Audition.

To arrange your audition, e-mail Academic Advisor Tom Powers at: tpowers@ilstu.edu.
When you come to audition, please bring a current resume and a headshot (or a recent photo that shows "who you are").
Prepare two contrasting monologues. Total time for both monologues should not exceed two minutes.
Timing begins when you start your first monologue.
Each audition piece should consist of a single character speaking. Auditions must be memorized.
At the beginning of the audition, state your name, the title of your pieces, and the characters you are playing.
Do not explain the plot unless instructed to by the interviewer.
There will be a chair for you to use if you choose.
After you complete your monologues, the faculty will do a short interview and may even ask you to repeat a monologue with some specific adjustments.

Audition Tips

Choice of Material

Choose something you like.

Choose age-appropriate material.

Self-written monologues should not be used.

Choose material where the character is in conflict.

Cut material to fit easily into the two-minute time limit (including transitions).

Contrast between monologues can mean dramatic/comic, contemporary/classic, sophisticated/unsophisticated, urban/rural, manic/depressed, etc.

You are not required to do a classical piece.

Know the character you are playing (i.e. Rose in The Woolgatherer is not a siren, Oscar in The Odd Couple is a slob).

Avoid

Yelling

Screaming

Using dialects

Phone call monologues

Climax of the play

Sexually explicit or extremely offensive material

Appearance

Dress comfortably in a way that suits you but strive to make a good impression.

Keep hair away from your face and wear sensible shoes.

Performance

Remember that your audition begins with your entrance.

Use the introduction to let us get to know you - speak clearly - take command of the room.

Place your imaginary scene partner directly downstage of you, over the auditors' heads.

Don't speak to a chair - it will cause you to focus on the floor.

Don't rush the audition transitions; allow yourself time to transition after the introduction, between the pieces, and before you say "thank you."

Concentrate on pursuing what you want from your imaginary scene partner.

Finally, do not try to make an impression or give us what you think we want. Be yourself.

Dance and Dance Education Sequences: Admittance and Scholarship Audition

To arrange your audition, e-mail Academic Advisor Tom Powers at: tpowers@ilstu.edu.
All prospective dance students should prepare a solo dance or variation of their choice in any style. Solos should be 2-3 minutes in length and can be choreography of the applicant or another choreographer. Dancers should bring a CD or cassette if they wish to use musical accompaniment.
Each student must provide his/her own solid-colored leotard and tights without feet, and ballet shoes. .
The admission audition will consist of a technique class with some ballet work, short modern movement phrases that may include Graham- or Limon-based technique, rhythm, or improvisation.
Individual solos and interviews with each candidate will follow the technique class.

Dance applicants must also submit the following:

A resume detailing your training and performance experience.

Photo: 4x6 full length photo in first arabesque.

Major considerations in the audition are:

Rhythmic clarity

Fluidity of movements

Alignment

Broad stylistic choices

Familiarity with dance vocabulary

Basic skills

Strength and coordination

Kinesthetic and spatial awareness

Video Audition. If a student is unable to audition in person, please submit a VHS (1/2") cassette videotape or DVD that includes:

Ballet: Barre (side view) plie with part de bras; center adagio, pirouette, petit and grand allegro.

Modern: Modern warmup (front and side views), traveling sequence.

Choreography: 2-3 minutes of applicant in performance. Choreography may be that of the applicant or another choreographer.

Photo: 4x6 full-length photo in first arabesque.

Video audition must be accompanied by the two letters of recommendation and a personal essay as described above.

Design/Production Sequence: Admittance and Scholarship Portfolio Review and Interview.

To arrange your portfolio review and interview, e-mail Academic Advisor Tom Powers at: tpowers@ilstu.edu.
When you come for your interview, please bring a resume detailing your theatre production experience.
Bring a "portfolio" of your work, including production photos, drawings, drafting, sketches, organizational forms, or any other audio/visual materials that illustrate your skills. Quality is more important than quantity.
Be prepared to discuss your portfolio with the design faculty at your interview.

Theatre Education Sequence: Scholarship Interview.

To arrange a scholarship interview, e-mail Academic Advisor Tom Powers at: tpowers@ilstu.edu.
Prior to your interview date, please submit a resume detailing your theatre production experiences, a recent photo, two letters of recommendation, and a one-page typed essay describing your reasons for wanting to be a teacher. These matrials should be mailed to: School of Theatre, Campus Box 5700, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-5700. Attention: Theatre Education.
Be prepared to discuss your essay, your experiences in theatre, and any experiences you may have had working with young people.

Theatre Studies Sequence: Scholarship Interview.

To arrange a scholarship interview, e-mail Academic Advisor Tom Powers at: tpowers@ilstu.edu.
Prior to your interview date, please submit a resume detailing your theatre production experiences, a recent photo, two letters of recommendation, and a one-page typed essay describing your reasons for pursuing a Theatre major and what you hope to achieve while at Illinois State University. These materials should be mailed to: School of Theatre, Campus Box 5700, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-5700. Attention: Theatre Studies.
Be prepared to discuss your essay and your production experiences.