East Carolina University
 
School of Theatre and Dance
Musical Theatre


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 School of Theatre and Dance Audition Procedure

All Theatre Performance BFAs, Theatre Education majors, students in advanced theatre techniques classes, and intended Theatre for Youth majors are REQUIRED to audition for main-stage and Theatre for Youth–Storybook Theatre productions.

Musical Theatre BFA Auditions, Updated 2-2-12

The deadline for the live School of Theatre and Dance Musical Theatre BFA Audition being held at the ECU campus on February 18, 2012 officially passed on Feb. 1, 2012.  However, the committee will consider late applicants on a case to case basis.  If you wish to inquire about an audition appointment, please e-mail the coordinator directly prior to Feb. 15 (tahaneym@ecu.edu ).  After February 15, 2012 no late applicants will be considered.  It is required that you either have been accepted or have an application pending with ECU Admissions before inquiring about an audition appointment.  Prospective BFA students who are not already accepted or do not have an application pending with ECU Admissions will not be considered for an audition appointment as status in the BFA program will only be valid for students accepted through the ECU Admissions process.

Click Here for Musical Theatre Video Audition and Application

NOTE: The "performance sample uploads" portion of the digital audition application will not be required at this time due to the nearness of the upcoming live audition.  However, please complete the online audition application form by clicking the link above and submit it with a digital photo of you as the committee will use the digital application form for record keeping when selecting the incoming BFA class for fall 2012.  You will receive an appointment reply shortly after your inquiry.

The Live Audition Requirements:

  • Singing Sample - Two songs: 1) a ballad, and 2) an up-tempo selection.  Both song selections of your choice must be from musicals.  We encourage you to demonstrate your ability/potential to sing in a historic or "legit" style and in a contemporary pop/belt style for your song selections.  Our program emphasizes the ability to easily transition between historic and contemporary musical theatre styles, so demonstrating this in your audition will be advantageous. You must have sheet music so our pianist can accompany you.
  • Acting Sample - One monologue.  This can be from a play, film or monologue book that demonstrates your current skill level/potential as an actor.  The monologue should last no more than 60 seconds.  Choose a piece (comic or serious) that is appropriate for your age and type. 

Click here for ECU Admissions link

What do we look for in our auditions?  The Music Theatre BFA degree requires students to have skills in singing, dancing, and acting.  Theatre and Dance faculty with expertise in their respective disciplines come together for the audition process to evaluate prospective students in these three areas.  At ECU we strive to train "triple threat" performers who are equally skilled in singing, dancing, and acting, while at the same time recognizing that not all prospective students excel equally in each area.  We expect that students will excel in at least one of the three areas and show promise for advancement in the other two. More specifically, we look at the following:

  • Is the auditioning student singing clearly and on pitch?  Is s/he making the effort to communicate with the audience/observer?
  • Is there a contrast in character and vocal quality/style between the two songs?
  • Diction: Are the lyrics of the songs clear and easily understood?
  • Is the auditioning student singing AND acting the songs?
  • Is the acting believable?  Has the prospective student created clear character choices in the three pieces? 
  • Is the monologue well-prepared and an appropriate selection for the actor?
  • Is the acted text easily understood? Does the actor understand the piece and style?
  • Is the actor open to direction and/or feedback?  (This would obviously only apply to the live audition).

Many of our musical theatre students audition for and are accepted into the Professional Acting-Meisner BFA program concentration.  We encourage this and will assist students in navigating the best path between the two BFA concentrations should this become an option.


Letter of Recommendation
At least one letter of recommendation is required as part of the application process, two is even better.  You may bring letters to the committee at the live audition.

Location
Auditions will be held in the Studio Theatre in the Messick Theatre Arts Center. A way to find us is on Mapquest.com at 1001 E. 5th St., Greenville, NC 27858.  The Messick Theatre Arts Center is located where S. Eastern Street meets 5th Street.  We can also be located on the ECU campus maps.

You are encouraged to navigate through the ECU School of Theatre and Dance home page, especially the "prospective students" link, to look up more info about us and our facilities.  If you have further inquiry for issues not addressed in our website contact the Musical Theatre Area Coordinator.