Video Audition and Submission Requirements
Thank you for your interest in the Millikin University School of Theatre and Dance. While we always prefer to see students audition in person whenever possible, under certain circumstances we offer students the opportunity to audition via video submission. Below you will find information on eligibility, audition requirements, and how they should be submitted.
Eligibility
To be eligible to submit a video audition you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Students who live beyond the borders of the continental United States (Alaska, Hawaii, American protectorates such as USVI, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc..., international students, students of military families living abroad).
- Alumni of Broadway Dreams
- Students who have been seen at off-campus auditions such as the National Thespian Conference, the North Texas Unified College Auditions, and various state Thespian or theatre conferences for example, may be invited to submit additional materials should those auditions be hosted by organizations whose requirements differ from our own.
- Students who have received admission letters who were unable to secure an audition appointment due to the high demand for our B.F.A. performance programs.
BFA Musical Theatre – Audition Requirements
- Acting: Please prepare one memorized contemporary monologue (written since 1960) from a published play, 30-45 seconds in length. The character should be close to your own age and performed without a regional dialect (we want to hear your natural speaking voice). Monologues from films, musicals, or stand-alone works are not appropriate for this audition. Please avoid material by Christopher Durang.
- Voice: Please prepare two memorized songs from published Broadway literature (one written before 1970, one after 1970) and contrasting in style, i.e. up-tempo and ballad. Select 16 bars for the ballad and 32 bars for the up-tempo. An additional 2 or 4 bars for an intro is perfectly acceptable. These two songs should be representative of the range of your voice. Vocal auditions must be performed with live piano accompaniment. Note: Please do not select material by Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, or Stephen Sondheim. Why? You may include a 3rd song in a pop-rock style if you choose but it is not required. Pop-rock selections may be self accompanied on guitar, ukulele, mandolin, piano, etc...
- Dance: Click on the link for a list of required skills for your dance video.
BFA Acting – Audition Requirements
- Acting: Please prepare two memorized monologues from a published play, 30-45 seconds in length. The monologues should be contrasting in style and/or period and should feature a character who is close to your own age and performed without a regional dialect (we want to hear your natural speaking voice). Shakespeare is acceptable for a BFA Acting audition. Monologues from films, musicals, or stand-alone works are not appropriate for this audition. Please avoid material by Christopher Durang and please do not select a Puck monologue from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Shooting Your Video
Videos do not need to be professionally produced. A simple cellphone camera can capture what we need to see. When shooting your video please be sure you follow these guidelines:
- Shoot from a distance: Acting and vocal auditions should show at least 3/4 of your body (from the knees up). We need to see how you use your full body. Dance videos must be a full body shot for all required elements.
- Sound is Important: Be sure there is a good balance between your piano accompaniment and your singing voice. For monologues, be sure your speaking voice is well supported so it can be clearly heard on the video.
- Slate: A slate is an introduction. Your video is of no use to us if we cannot identify who you are. Clearly state your name and the name of the material you will be performing at the beginning of your video. If you are editing all of your videos into a single file, slating once is sufficient. If, however, you choose to send links to multiple videos, be sure to slate in each video so we can properly identify you.
Submitting Your Audition Materials
All auditions must be submitted on video uploaded to YouTube. Once uploaded, you may complete the Video Audition Request Form on your myVIP page to submit links to your videos. Videos do not need to be made public. If private, however, please be sure to grant access to us so our performance faculty may view them. Please do not attempt to email videos to us directly.
Video Submissions may be done in separate videos or edited together into a single video. If done separately, please be sure to include links to all videos and don't forget to slate!
Thank you for your interest in the Millikin School of Theatre and Dance.