How to Prepare for the Audition

Actors

Please Note: Students awarded theatre scholarships are expected to audition for each major production. If not cast they will be expected to assist the production in other capacities.

• Actors should prepare two contrasting monologues, one modern/contemporary and one classical [e.g. Shakespeare, Greek, Moliere]. The two pieces may not exceed five minutes total, and should be age and type appropriate. The program should be fully memorized and rehearsed. You will also be asked to improvise in response to specific direction.
• One 90 second movement study from the following menu of topics:
  1. Choose a “daily routine” – some sequence of ordinary physical actions you perform about the same every day. Now, imagine that your environment has become gigantic, ala Alice in Wonderland. Try to complete your “routine” anyway, using these giant objects. Find new steps and solutions to achieve your goal.
  2. Think of an “impossible physical action” – something it would be humanly impossible to do. Now, believe that you really can accomplish this action. Really try. Keep finding new ways to solve the problem.
  3. You are a kid. One day, as you are a) setting the table or b) getting dressed or c) walking your dog, an “unreal” event occurs. The event is magical or truly terrifying, or both – and it takes you on “a journey.” At the end, you manage to return to what you were doing.
  
  Before the audition, practice your movement study. Focus on using your body fully, and connecting with the space around you. Keep your study silent, and avoid “mimed dialogue.” We’re looking for bold choices, strong commitment to an action, an expressive physicality and a clear connection between your imagination and your body.

• Interview with faculty.

Students Whose Primary Interest is Technical Theatre, Design or Directing

Please Note: Students awarded scholarships in this category will be expected to participate in any area of technical theatre, including lighting, sound, stagecraft and stage management, as deemed appropriate by faculty.

• Prepare a five-minute oral presentation describing your "behind the scenes" contribution to an actual production. Visual elements are helpful but not required.
• Interview with faculty.

Interview

• All applicants will be interviewed by the Performing Arts Department.

To maintain scholarship eligibility you must:

• Major or minor in theatre;
• Be a full time student;
• Pass all classes;
• Audition for a major production each semester; and
• Serve the production and department as a model citizen.

For further information or to schedule an audition contact Rebecca Engle, Director of Theatre, (925) 631-4159, or email, rengle@stmarys-ca.edu.