Theater Auditions
Undergraduate performing arts applicants will select their audition date through their applicant portal after submitting their application. There are no prescreening requirements. All School of Theater applicants are required to complete an audition or interview before they will receive an admissions decision. UArts hosts both on-campus and virtual audition days. View our 2022-2023 audition day schedule.
In-Person/On-Campus Auditions
What to Expect
If participating in an in-person/on-campus audition day, you’ll complete a short information form about your prior experience and goals, meet with current students and faculty, and complete your individual audition or interview.
Acting applicants should bring their headshot and résumé to their audition day and be prepared for the repertoire described below. Acting auditions are held in two parts: Part one is your initial presentation of your prepared repertoire. You might receive a callback for part two, during which you will participate in an ensemble, perform your prepared work for a second time, undertake a brief improvisation and complete a personal interview. Auditions completed at a Unifieds event will not include a callback component.
Musical Theater applicants should bring their headshot and résumé to their audition day and be prepared for the repertoire described below, including sheet music for accompanying songs. Musical Theater auditions are held in two parts: Part one is your initial presentation of your prepared repertoire and a dance call. The dance call does not impact an applicant’s admission decision. You might receive a callback for part two, during which you will perform your prepared work for a second time (which might include a full song rather than a cut) and complete a personal interview. Auditions completed at a Unifieds event will not include a callback component.
Theater Design and Technology and Directing, Playwriting, and Production applicants should bring a portfolio of work, as described below, and be prepared to either leave a hard copy with the department or provide a link to view all work online (GoogleDrive, etc).
Virtual Auditions
What to Expect
If participating in a virtual audition day, you must upload the following items to your UArts applicant portal at least two weeks before your audition day:
- Headshot and Resume
- Information form (available in your portal)
- Major repertoire or portfolio; see below for specific requirements
- A repertoire or portfolio description list that outlines titles, roles, project descriptions, etc.
- A “wild card” video: In 3 to 5 minutes, tell us about who you are outside your prepared submissions. Tell us about your artistry, goals and interests.
During the virtual audition, you will participate in a welcome from the School of Theater, attend a Q&A with faculty and current students, join a group warmup, and complete your individual audition or interview.
Can’t Make an Audition Day?
In extenuating circumstances, students who can’t make an audition day are allowed to submit their materials for asynchronous review. A live audition, either in person or virtual, is strongly preferred. Students participating in an asynchronous audition may still be asked to complete an individual interview via phone or Zoom, once they have uploaded the following items to their UArts applicant portal:
- Headshot and Resume
- Information form (available in your portal)
- Major repertoire or portfolio; see below for specific requirements
- A repertoire or portfolio description list that outlines titles, roles, project descriptions, etc.
- A “wild card” video: In 3 to 5 minutes, tell us about who you are outside your prepared submissions. Tell us about your artistry, goals and interests.
UArts reserves the right to re-audition any applicant admitted on the basis of a submitted audition. In such cases, the university also reserves the right to reconsider and withdraw the original offer of admission or scholarship, if necessary.
Major Repertoire & Portfolio Guidelines
Click your program below to learn about audition and portfolio requirements.
Two contrasting monologues (such as one comedic and one dramatic, or one classical and one contemporary, etc.); the total time for both monologues should not exceed three minutes
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Two 1 to 1.5 minute contrasting songs accompanied by a backing track—they can be musical theater songs but don’t have to be (if attending an on-campus audition, please bring sheet music that will be played by an accompanist). Be sure the backing track does not include any vocals. Selections should be presented in 32-bar cuts.
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One contemporary monologue of your choosing; total time should not exceed one minute
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For virtual auditions only, applicants must include a dance call video that is a 30–60 second solo in any dance discipline that they feel most confident in. This may include, but is not limited to, jazz, ballet (no barre work), tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip hop, lyrical or contemporary. Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where you are dancing with a sense of purpose. All dance media should be filmed in a full-body shot and can be self-choreographed.
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In-person auditions will include a required dance call for all callback participants during part two of the audition; this course does not impact an applicant’s admission decision. Auditions completed at a Unifieds event will not include a callback component.
Tip: Use this material to showcase your artistry, demonstrate what kind of material excites you and showcase what you have to say as an artist.
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An artist statement that discusses why you make theater, the kind of art you strive to make and the goals you have for the future; your artist statement can be created in one of three formats:
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a one- to two-page written document
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a visual representation—such as a series or collage of photos, paintings, drawings, videos, either of your own creation or the work of other artists
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a two-minute audio or video file
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At least one work sample, which can include any of your artistic artifacts; artistic artifacts include, but are not limited to:
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an original script or other original written material (poetry, short stories, etc.)
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a production book for directors or stage managers
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examples of publicity and program design (plays, school functions, community events, etc.); you may include programs, poster designs and promotional copy
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a video of productions with which you have had significant involvement and a typed, detailed description of your role in the production
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examples of leadership and creativity inside and outside theater, including clubs and extracurricular activities
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models and/or renderings of set, costume or lighting designs
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visual art work such as painting, photographs, images of sculptures, etc.
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There are no minimum or maximum number of pieces/projects to be included in your portfolio. You’re encouraged to select work that best demonstrates your experiences and goals. Your portfolio may include the following:
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past theater work, like production photographs; sketches, drafting or process work; model photos; costume process and fitting photos; etc.
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examples of organizational and planning skills, including lighting plots and paperwork, prop lists, set-design drafting, scene-shift notes, costume plots, etc.
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photographic or physical examples of craft work and technical work, such as sewing samples, scenic painting, prop construction, carpentry work, sculptural work, etc.
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theoretical theater design projects for unproduced projects
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non-theatrical artwork that highlights your passions, interests and point of view
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other examples of your creativity that demonstrate your talent and what inspires you
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Tip: We want to know what you are interested in as a theater maker and an artist. Be sure to include work that shows us who you are and the kind of artwork and theater that excites you.