Theatre Audition Guidelines

Acting Audition Guidelines

All candidates must come prepared with the following:

Applicants are asked to present two contrasting, one-minute, memorized monologues from works of established playwrights, including at least one contemporary selection.

In order to have the most successful audition possible, please read and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Monologues must be from published plays written for theatre.
• You should have read the entire play and have a thorough understanding of the character you are playing.
• Choose a character that is close to your age range.
• The monologue should be realistic (no dialects and/or character voices).
• Monologue should not exceed one-minute in length.
• Be prepared to perform an additional monologue if asked.
• Monologues must be fully memorized.
• Original material is not accepted

We are interested in observing your talent and preparation, including thoughtful choices that demonstrate your understanding of the character's dramatic action.

Acting Audition Attire

Please dress in clothing that promotes a feeling of confidence and allows movement. 

Be prepared, but also remember to have fun. We want to see YOU!

Musical Theatre Audition Guidelines

All candidates must come prepared with the following:

• Two contrasting songs: a ballad (16-bar cut with a sustained legato line) and an up-tempo (32-bar cut which should show a contrast to the ballad in style, rhythm and vocal technique, i.e., legit/belt).
• At least one selection should be from the pre-1980s Broadway repertoire.
• A Contemporary monologue — no longer than one-minute in length — that must be chosen from a published play by an established playwright.
• All musical theatre candidates will participate in a dance call.
• Applicants may be asked to sing an additional song, so please be prepared with additional choices.

MONOLOGUES

• Monologues must be from a published (contemporary) play written for the theatre. 
• You should have read the entire play and have a thorough understanding of the character you are playing.
• Choose a character that is close to your age range. 
• The monologue should be realistic (no dialects and/or character voices).
• Monologue should not exceed one-minute in length.
• Be prepared to perform an additional contemporary monologue if asked.
• Monologues must be fully memorized.
• Original material is not accepted.

Musical Theatre Audition Attire

• Dance Call: wear appropriate dance attire. No bulky or loose-fitting clothing.
• Female-identifying/non-binary: Leotard and tights (you may wear dance shorts or a dance skirt). Jazz shoes or character shoes.
• Male-identifying/non-binary: Jazz pants. Form-fitting, solid color T-shirt. Jazz shoes.

Be prepared, but also remember to have fun. We want to see YOU!

Theatre Arts Audition Guidelines

All candidates must come prepared with the following:

• Performance/training resume
• Headshot
• Personal essay

Plus, either:

• Two contrasting, one-minute, memorized monologues from works of established playwrights, including at least one contemporary selection.

OR

• One contemporary monologue PLUS any of the following:
  • A one-minute video of the original theatre work featuring yourself and/or collaborators (from devised work; from a play authored by you or collaborators, etc.). Please slate at the top of the video the title, author(s) and performer(s). 
  • A playwriting sample from an original one act or full-length play.
  • A directing portfolio/video sample of their work and a one-paragraph (double spaced) proposal for an original theatre project. 
  • A portfolio or other compendium of their work in a specific area of theatre (costumes, lights, props, etc.)

Applicants should expect to sit for a brief interview with the program director while they are on campus (or at the audition site).

All applicants for theatre arts should understand that they will not receive the results of their audition on the day, but rather will need to allow some time for their materials to be reviewed. 

In order to have the most successful audition possible, please read and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Monologues must be from published plays written for theatre.
• You should have read the entire play and have a thorough understanding of the character you are playing.
• Choose a character who is close to your age range.
• The monologue should be realistic (no dialects and/or character voices).
• Monologue should not exceed one-minute in length.
• Be prepared to perform an additional monologue if asked.
• Monologues must be fully memorized.
• Original material is not accepted.

We are interested in observing your talent and preparation, including thoughtful choices that demonstrate your understanding of the character's dramatic action, as well as your potential as a contemporary theatre collaborator. 

Theatre Arts Audition/Interview Attire

Please dress in clothing that promotes a feeling of confidence and allows movement. Be prepared, but also remember to have fun. We want to see YOU!

Technical Theatre/Design and Stage-Management Interviews

Applicants interested in theatre production must complete a three-step process to be considered for the program: 

1. Academic Admittance: Apply to Point Park Admission Office for academic admittance (Apply to Point Park if you have not already submitted an application). 

2. Artistic Admittance: Submit your artistic portfolio. Applicants are required to submit their portfolio via Point Park University's Acceptd home page.

3. Interview: An interview with a theatre production faculty member is required for admission into the theatre production program. Schedule your interview via Accept'd at time of portfolio submission.

Note: Applicants are required to submit their portfolio prior to scheduling an interview. If you are NOT able to attend an in-person interview day, you may schedule an individual Skype or phone interview. To schedule a Skype or phone interview, please contact the Conservatory Recruitment Office at 412-392-3451 or conservatory@pointpark.edu.

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
• Photographs or paperwork related to technical or managerial/leadership 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.

Artistic Decisions

Acting, Musical Theatre and Theatre Arts

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

Applicants who audition by March and have been academically admitted to the University will receive their artistic admission decision and artistic achievement award by mid-March. 

Candidates will be notified both by email and letter of the admission decision. 

We are not permitted to disclose audition results over the phone or by email.

Full financial aid awards will be sent upon academic and artistic admittance. 

Theatre Production and Theatre Arts

Applicants must be artistically admitted into the theatre program AND academically admitted into the University. Applicants WILL NOT receive their artistic decision until they have received an academic decision from the Office of Admission.

Theatre Production and Theatre Arts applicants will receive their artistic admission decision and artistic achievement award on a rolling basis. Candidates will be notified both by email and letter of the admission decision. 

Full financial aid awards will be sent upon academic and artistic admittance.

Learn More

• Theatre audition dates/online registration
• Talent and academic scholarships

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.