college theatre auditions Archives - Dramatics Magazine Online

2023 College Guide

Jose Triana — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:03:33 +0000

Getting ready for college might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re a student exploring your options or a theatre educator looking to give your Thespians a leg up, EdTA is here to help.

Explore our 2023 College Guide for tons of helpful resources including tips to make the most of your college visits, a helpful college application timeline, and college listings for schools looking for students just like you!

The post 2023 College Guide appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

Best Questions to Ask Your College Recruiters

Patty Craft — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:29:46 +0000

Make the most of your time with college recruiters by being prepared. Know what you want to ask ahead of time so you get the answer you want. Be organized and impress them with your desire to learn more. Win/win! (Check out our 2021 College Guide, too. There are links to colleges looking for students just like you!)

THE DREAM

Maybe you wish your college recruiters could tell you just the answers to these two questions:

Will I be happy at this school?
Will the school accept me?

THE REALITY

Of course, they can’t. But if you plan your time with them and do the right research then you’ll get closer to those answers on your own. Before we share the best questions to ask your college recruiters, here are tips to keep in mind:

Be prepared. Put your questions in a note on your phone or write them down on a notecard. Use the method that works best for you.
Don’t think you’ll just remember the questions. There’s a lot happening during ITF. And there’s a lot happening in your personal life. Your prepared questions will let you shift gears quickly when it’s your turn with the college recruiters.
Don’t expect the college recruiters to carry the whole conversation. Your prepared questions show you’re interested and eager to find out more about the school. In fact, a lack of your participation in the conversation can go against you. The recruiter may think you’re just going through the motions!
Consider asking every recruiter the same questions. That way, when you review your notes, you’ll be comparing “apples to apples.” Random questions won’t let you compare each recruiter’s answers.
Feel free to ask college recruiters about scholarships. They may share opportunities about their institution’s awards that you didn’t even know existed.
Ask the questions that will give you a full picture of life at that college. You can ask about financial aid, student life, the academic experience, etc.
Stay away from asking the college recruiters personal questions. It’s fine to ask if they attended the college and if they want to share anything about their own experience there. Beyond that, leave the personal questions off your list.
Ask sensitive questions sensitively. You want to ask thoughtful and pertinent questions. But trying to put the college recruiters on the spot is a bad idea. It’s important to keep in mind that college recruiters can and may report back any troublesome interactions they have with potential students.
Good questions include asking about racial equity in the school’s programs or the school’s ethics policies, etc. However, asking the recruiter if she or he supports the Black Lives Matter movement is not a good question. Asking if the school allows students to participate in activism on important social causes, like the Black Lives Matter movement, is fine. Just think before you speak and say what you mean.
Remember that if your time with a specific recruiter runs out before you get to ask all of your questions, it’s okay to ask if another appointment is possible. Or ask if a follow-up email with your questions would be better. Either way, get their contact info in case you have questions when reviewing your notes about their answers.

Read through the following questions and carefully choose the ones that will help you make the most of your time with college recruiters.

BEST QUESTIONS: THEATRE SPECIFIC

What theatre degrees does your school offer?
Is theatre the major? Is musical theatre the major?
If you offer a BFA vs. BA what are the advantages of each? Why is the one you offer more useful?
What are the performance opportunities for undergrad students? Can I perform as a freshman? Is it ensemble-only? Leading roles?
How many plays vs. how many musicals does the college produce each year? What’s the typical production calendar look like? When are the shows?
Are there student productions? Does the school support independent productions? Will the school sell tickets? Is there performance space available for my production on campus?
Do my extra-curricular activities and hobbies influence my chance of being accepted into the theatre program?
Am I allowed to audition for professional works while still in school? If I get hired, can I pause my schooling and return after my contract?

BEST QUESTIONS: LIVING ON CAMPUS

How would you describe campus culture? What is student life like?
What can you tell me about on-campus living? What are the dorms like and how many are on campus? How many students to a dorm room?
Are there part-time work opportunities within the program? How might I earn money doing something relevant to theatre on campus or nearby in town?
What about off-campus living? What’s available to freshmen? What do most students do after freshman year?

BEST QUESTIONS: OVERALL WELL-BEING

How does the student clinic work? Is there always a doctor on campus? To what extent can I access healthcare?
What types of counseling services are offered? Are there other services, for example, in getting adjusted to campus life the first year?
Does the school offer peer counseling? If so, in what areas?
Does the school offer job placement services? If so, when can I access the services? And for how long after graduation can I access the services?
Can you tell me about tutoring availability?

BEST QUESTIONS: GENERAL

What differentiates the college from others?
What upcoming changes to curriculum, planned on-campus construction, etc., will affect students, either positively or negatively?
What do students enjoy most about this school? And, as a follow-up, what do you hear that students dislike most about the school?
If I need to pause my education for a semester, can I come back without having to reapply?
When do I have to declare a major? Can I change majors later?
Are there study-abroad opportunities?
How would you describe the faculty overall?

Patty Craft is Content Manager for Dramatics.org.

The post Best Questions to Ask Your College Recruiters appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

4 Easy Steps to Successful College Theatre Auditions

Laura Enstall — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 18:20:20 +0000

WE’VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED to working, schooling, performing and even doing college theatre auditions virtually. The 2020-2021 college audition season was the first-ever done completely virtual. Students didn’t have the opportunity to audition for college theatre programs in person. The National Unified Auditions held annually in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles were even virtual.

Just because we’ve been auditioning virtually recently doesn’t mean we’re used to it and it doesn’t mean that it’s easier than in-person auditions. Or that it’s more comfortable. It’s definitely a process that takes time to get comfortable going through. There are four simple steps you can take to set yourself up for successful college theatre auditions. (Plus, check out our 2021 College Guide for links to colleges looking for students just like you!)

STEP 1: SETTING UP YOUR SPACE

Dedicate a space for your auditions. It can even be your own bedroom. You want a peaceful environment for your college theatre auditions on a consistent basis. A room that you have unlimited access to and where you feel comfortable is perfect.

Set up a clean background that’s not distracting. While your background might not seem that important, it is! You want the viewer focused on YOU and not what’s behind you. A plain background is best.

How to focus on YOU

Put the walls to work: A neutral-colored wall works well. The wall in the room you’re using for your college theatre auditions doesn’t have to be white, a color is great! I’ve had students look excellent on camera with vivid wall colors behind them.

Choose a backdrop: You can use a cloth backdrop tacked to the wall or on a stand that can be purchased from Amazon. If you’re using a backdrop, it should be ironed or steamed so the wrinkles aren’t distracting. You can also purchase backdrop paper in a variety of sizes and colors. I like this option because it’s quick, easy, and you don’t have to iron. Plus, you can tape or tack this paper to the wall if you don’t have a backdrop stand. Be careful not to damage the wall.

Limit the noise around you: Quiet please! I realize it’s challenging with other people in the house to impose total silence on everyone. Remember, though, that any outside noises may be distracting to you and the auditors. Turn off all notifications on your phone and computer. The email/text notification, even if it’s not making a sound could interrupt music you are streaming.

Take your mark: Be sure the camera you’re using is set to your eye level. You don’t want to appear to be looking down during your college theatre auditions. You’ll most likely be using the camera on a computer. So, when you’re standing in your audition space set the camera accurately. You can easily prop your computer up to the correct height with books or by placing your computer on a shelf.

It’s a good idea to use masking tape on the ground to show your marks for a three-quarter shot and a tight shot from your shoulders up. With marks, you won’t worry you’re standing in the wrong place and be able to focus on your audition.

STEP TWO: CHOOSING THE BEST TECHNOLOGY

You don’t need to purchase a lot of fancy equipment to have a successful audition. However, these items can give you an advantage.

Ring light: Being properly lit for your auditions is necessary. You want to look your best. You’ll have many uses for a ring light as an actor. You’ll need to submit self-tapes and film prescreens, and a ring light can even be used for your online classes.

Stable internet connection: Test your internet well before you start the audition process. If your connection is unstable or it lags, see what you can do to fix the problems. Your auditions won’t be their best if there’s a delay in connectivity. You may need to get a signal booster.

Computer with a camera: A computer with a camera is a must for college theatre auditions. Some students have tried to audition from their phones, and it doesn’t always go well. While I can’t speak for every audition situation, sometimes the platforms on which you’ll be auditioning don’t work on a mobile device (at least this audition season).

Bluetooth speaker: If you’re auditioning for musical theatre programs, you’ll need a Bluetooth speaker on which to play your music. It won’t be loud enough if you play it on your phone and playing it on the same device on which you’re auditioning isn’t reliable.

External microphone: An external microphone can improve the audio quality. You want to sound your best. Having an external mic will certainly help pickup your vocals. Computer mics generally aren’t high quality.

STEP 3: DOING YOUR PREP WORK

Being completely prepared for your audition, whether it’s virtual or in person, speaks volumes. Your preparation shows that you care, you’re organized, and you want this.

An unprepared student is easy to spot. A student who knows their material and is prepared stands out from the crowd and shines.

If you’re singing, then have your music cued up and your Bluetooth speaker ready. Have all your songs and monologue performances ready in case you’re asked to perform.

Do your research ahead of time. Research the schools and the people for whom you’re auditioning. What you discover will help you understand who they are and what they do. You’ll feel more prepared and therefore more confident.

It’s a good idea to have a couple of prepared questions in case they ask: “Do you have any questions?” Questions about their previous programs or plans for the coming year are good in most situations. Also, if they’ve said something that isn’t clear to you, calmly ask for clarification. Asking for clarification shows maturity and inquisitiveness to fully understand situations.

STEP 4: CREATING A PRE-AUDITION ROUTINE (RELAX!)

Try to breathe deeply and slowly. This deep breathing will help your body relax and your mind to focus on the audition ahead. Just like an athlete who creates a pre-game routine which creates muscle memory, creating your own pre-audition routine will benefit you, too! Your routine will help you warm-up and be mentally prepared.

Know going into college theatre auditions process that the auditors want you to succeed. Whether you’re auditioning in person or virtually, they’re on your side! They’re not out to get you; they’re not sitting behind the camera snickering. They want you to do your best. The best fit for you may be that audition or maybe it won’t. Remember, each time you audition it’s an opportunity to perform.

Technology glitches happen and we all have to deal with them so remain calm. If you get kicked out of the waiting room or you receive the wrong link, it’s okay, you won’t miss your opportunity to audition. At this point, we all know that connectivity issues can happen (which is why it is important to do your best to have stable Internet), these things are beyond our control. Show up and do your best. Try not to let the uncontrollable factors throw you. I had a student who had an audition for an acting program and was in the waiting room and then was sent the wrong link for her actual audition, she finally made it to the right room and when she got there everyone was completely understanding.

COLLEGE THEATRE AUDITIONS: THAT’S A WRAP!

While the 2021-2022 college auditions season may not be 100% virtual, there’s a strong chance it will remain virtual or hybrid. Begin preparing for your college theatre auditions early so you’re ready and you shine!

Content written by Laura Enstall who creates confident, prepared actors. She is the owner and founder of Audition Well and is a well-respected St. Louis-based College Audition Coach. She specializes in college audition prep, acting and acting-the-song training for high school students in the United States and internationally. She is a CAP Certified Teacher with College Audition Project which means Audition Well students enjoy access to exclusive auditions. Laura is a proud member of AEA and an adjunct theatre professor for Lindenwood University and St. Charles Community College. Because she believes in giving back to the theatre community, she regularly shares her expertise, audition tips and other valuable, free content on Instagram, so be sure to follow @auditionwell

The post 4 Easy Steps to Successful College Theatre Auditions appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.