Theatre Audition Requirements

Please note: All applicants will interview with their auditioning committee and will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

Actor Training

Select two monologues, one classical (preferably Shakespeare) and one contemporary (from a published source). The monologues should be memorized and should not be longer than one minute each. Select material that is gender and age appropriate and be familiar with the play from which the monologue is selected. Applicants will interview with the faculty during the audition time frame. Please be prepared to share your reasons for pursuing this career. Theatre applicants who audition by video must submit a DVD  with the stated requirements. NO VIDEOS FROM STAGED PLAY PRODUCTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please contact Hartt Theatre Coordinator Ashley Malcolm at 860.768.2462 or amalcolm@hartford.edu with questions or for additional information.

Music Theatre

Select two contrasting songs - one upbeat and one ballad - from music theatre repertoire. Applicants need to prepare each song in its entirety from memory but should be prepared to sing only 16 or 32 bars if so requested. Please have music well marked at the appropriate cut-off points. Accompaniment is provided for on-campus auditions. The music should be laid out so that the accompanist does not experience difficulty in handling the material. Applicants auditioning at any of the regional music theatre auditions sites will need to bring recorded accompaniment and a boom-box. In addition, prepare a one-minute monologue from a published contemporary play or musical. The monologue should be gender and age appropriate. The student should be familiar with the play from which the monologue is selected. Applicants will interview with the faculty during the audition time frame. Music theatre applicants who audition by video must submit a DVD  with the above requirements. NO VIDEOS FROM STAGED PLAY PRODUCTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Applicants who audition on campus will participate in a group dance audition. The purpose of the dance audition is not only to see the candidates' dance experience, but to assess facility, i.e., body and physical ability. Applicants should dress in basic dance or rehearsal attire (tights, leotard, jazz pants, tight t-shirt, all in dark colors). Bulky or baggy clothing is unacceptable. Bring ballet or jazz shoes; character shoes and sneakers are not recommended. Jazz sneakers are acceptable, but only in addition to ballet shoes. Hair must be pulled back, off the face and back of the neck. No jewelry or watches are permitted in the dance audition.

Please contact Hartt Theatre Coordinator Ashley Malcolm at 860.768.2462 or amalcolm@hartford.edu with questions or for additional information.

Unified Theatre Audition Please see the Hartt website, http://harttweb.hartford.edu/admissions/audition/default.aspx, for Hartt's dates.
 

Theatre Audition Tips

The actor's career is a lifelong challenge that is always changing. The answers of today provoke the questions of tomorrow.

To prepare for a collegiate program in theatre, read plays and criticisms of productions. See as much theatre as you can. View the production with questions in mind: What is being done? How is it being done? How well was it done? Was it worth doing?

At a theatre/music theatre audition, the faculty is determining where the student is at this early stage of development as a performing artist. Consideration is given to the voice, speech, movement, and sensitivity toward the material being performed.

For the required two selections, choose  material that is contrasting in nature. The contrast should be in the behavior of the characters.

The successful applicant, possessing an inquiring mind and a real affection for the theatre, will show talent, humor, energy and dedication. Ask questions - it is always good to interview your interviewers.

Do not simply learn a speech from a monologue book. Read the entire play and know your character and the context well.