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Conservatory of Performing Arts

Theatre Audition Guidelines

Acting | Musical Theatre | Technical Theatre/Design and Stage Management | What to Bring to Your Audition | Audition Attire


What to Expect on Audition/Interview Day

  • On-campus audition day activities typically last from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan to spend your day on campus.
  • Registration will be held in Lawrence Hall as follows:
         – Musical theatre registration will begin at 9 a.m.
         – Acting registration will begin at 10:30 a.m.
         – Stage management and technical theatre/design registration will begin at 9 a.m. The interview process should end around 3 p.m.
  • A campus tour and a financial aid seminar are included as part of the on-campus audition activities.  
  • A detailed itinerary with approximate times and locations will be mailed to you prior to your audition date.

Acting Audition Guidelines

  • Applicants are asked to present two contrasting, age-appropriate, one-minute, memorized monologues from works of established playwrights.
  • Monologues should be from stage plays, not from a collection of monologues or off the Internet.
  • Students must have read the entire play and have a thorough understanding of the character they are portraying.
  • The character's age should be within five years of the student's age.
  • A two-minute time limit for the total acting audition will be enforced.
  • Original material is not accepted.    

On-Campus Auditions Only: At the completion of the monologue segment of the audition, some students may be asked to remain to rework their monologues under the direction of the faculty auditors. Faculty may choose to conduct a callback session with selected students. 

Musical Theatre Audition Guidelines


SONGS

  • All applicants who audition for the musical theatre program need to prepare TWO CONTRASTING songs, 32-bar cut (up-tempo/ballad, legit/non-legit).   
  • At least one selection should be from traditional musical theatre repertoire (pre-1980).
  • Each song should demonstrate vocal technique, strong acting choices and personality.
  • Music should be appropriately marked.
  • Be prepared to sing both; however, students may or may not be asked to sing the second selection.

MONOLOGUES

  • Applicants are asked to present two contrasting, age-appropriate, one-minute, memorized monologues from works of established playwrights.
  • Monologues should be from stage plays, not from a collection of monologues or off the Internet.
  • Students must have read the entire play and have a thorough understanding of the character they are portraying.
  • The character's age should be within five years of the student's age. 
  • A two-minute time limit for the total acting audition will be enforced.
  • Original material is not accepted.  
  • It is suggested that both monologues should be contemporary, realistic selections.
  • Be prepared to present both; however, students may or may not be asked to perform the second selection.

DANCE CALL: All musical theatre candidates will participate in a dance combination after the initial audition. Bring appropriate dance attire (see below).

On-Campus Auditions Only: At the completion of the dance audition, a list of finalists may be posted to participate in a master class as the final segment of the audition. The master class, under the direction of the musical theatre faculty, may require students to sing another selection, have their monologues/songs reworked and/or be interviewed. 

What to Bring to Your Acting and Musical Theatre Audition

  • Performance / training resume
  • Head shot (should not exceed 8x10 in size)

DO NOT send these materials prior to your audition. Any materials submitted to Point Park University are NON-RETURNABLE.

Acting and Musical Theatre Audition Attire

  • Female: Business casual (dress, slacks or skirt with a blouse).
  • Male: Business casual (slacks with a collared shirt).
  • Dance Call (for Musical Theatre candidates only):
    • Female: Leotard and tights. Jazz shoes (recommended, not required).
    • Male: White T-shirt, black pants. Jazz shoes (recommended, not required).

Technical Theatre/Design and Stage Management Interviews

Candidates will interview with a technical theater/design or stage management faculty member. All candidates need to bring a portfolio and resume to the interview. Letters of reference from directors, theater teachers or other individuals who can judge your skills and character are appreciated but not required.

Along with your portfolio and resume please come prepared to discuss your skills as a theater artist. Why are you interested in this profession and what do you know about our program? What are your short-term and long-term goals? What qualities do you think you need to possess in order to be successful? Are you able to work as part of a team?

Also, be prepared to ask us your questions.

Technical Theatre and Design Portfolios

Include works that illustrate your artistic talents and involvement in theatre production. Not all samples have to pertain directly to theater but should show your creative and technical skills or potential.

Examples for a design (scenic, lighting, costume) area of interest:   

  • Sketches, drawings, paintings, sculpture
  • Scenic painting
  • Model building, scale sketches
  • Costume construction, garments
  • Photography
  • Associated paperwork: light plot, ground plan, elevations etc.
  • Photographs of theatrical elements in various stages of completion
  • Craft projects or objects you have built
  • Photos of productions under stage light

Examples for a technology area of interest: 

  • Photographs of theatrical elements in various stages of completion.
  • Drafting
  • Drawings
  • Carpentry projects

Stage Management Portfolios

Candidates should include anything that demonstrates organizational and people skills as applied to the student's involvement in theatrical productions. Not all samples have to pertain directly to theater but should show your organizational skills.

Examples:

  • Prompt books
  • Running notes
  • Contact sheets
  • Cast lists
  • Prop lists
  • Rehearsal schedules
  • Photographs of performances

Please provide the adjudicator with samples of your portfolio that can remain in the possession of Point Park University. These samples should be hard copies or digital copies of your original work. Do not submit originals. Please do not include programs.

PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION OF THE THEATRE AUDITION/INTERVIEW DATES AND GUIDELINES (pdf)


Artistic Decisions

Acceptance into the Department of Theatre is based on talent and potential as demonstrated in the audition/interview. Applicants must be artistically accepted into the theatre program AND academically accepted into the University. Applicants WILL NOT receive their artistic decision until they have received an academic decision from the Office of Admissions.

Candidates that have been academically accepted and audition/interview during the fall semester (Oct. 20, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, or Dec. 15) will be reviewed in December and can expect to receive a letter regarding their audition/interview decision by the end of December. Candidates that have been academically accepted and audition during the spring semester (Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23 or the Unified Auditions), will be reviewed in March and can expect to receive a letter regarding their audition/interview decision by the end of March.

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Questions? Contact Us

If you have any questions, please read our frequently asked questions or contact the Conservatory of Performing Arts at (412) 392-3451 or via e-mail at conservatory@pointpark.edu. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern standard time.