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 Interview Guidelines

• Theatre arts submissions have a $115 artistic review fee, due at the time of submission
• The deadline for submission for theatre arts applicants is March 1st

All candidates must supply the following:

• Performance/training resume
• Headshot (optional)
• Applicants will have a brief interview with the program director while they are on campus, at the audition site or virtually. In addition to the interview, applicants will submit one of the following:
  • 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 of their work in a specific area of theatre (costumes, lights, props, etc.)
  • A one-minute video of an 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 personal essay outlining career aspiration

Theatre Arts Interview Attire

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

Theatre Production (Technical Theatre, Design and Stage-Management) 

Applicants interested in theatre production are to 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 applied). 
2. Artistic Admittance: Submit your artistic portfolio OR a personal essay  via Point Park University's Acceptd home page.
3. Interview: Meet with a theatre production faculty member. You will be given the opportunity to talk about your portfolio OR personal essay and learn about our program. Don’t forget to bring your own questions too!! Schedule your interview via Accept’ d at the time of portfolio submission.

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

Technical Theatre/Design and Stage-Management Portfolio Guidelines:
You are a developing artist/technician and/or manager. We are looking forward to seeing your passion for the Arts and or organization/people skills in your portfolio. The below list should give you inspiration for what you can include. However; please feel free to include anything that might show your potential. Your portfolio samples do not need to pertain directly to theater.

Examples for a Design (scenic, lighting, costume) area of interest:
Sketches, doodles, 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, Things you may have crafted, Photographs or paperwork that show organization skills.

Examples for a Stage-Management area of interest:
Prompt books, Running notes, Contact sheets, Cast lists, Prop lists, Rehearsal schedules, Photographs of performances

Artistic Decisions

Acting and Musical Theatre

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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.