Theatre - Acting

Applying to Illinois State

Illinois State's preferred filing period for freshman students for the fall semester is September 1-November 15. Applying early is encouraged to receive a decision by the end of the year, and for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. You will select your audition time within the application for admission.

The School of Theatre and Dance has pivoted to virtual auditions. We hope this gives you a convenient way to audition and interview for potential scholarships.

2020-21 Audition Dates

November 7: Theatre and Dance

January 16: Theatre only

February 13: Theatre and Dance

February 20: Theatre only

Audition and Enrollment Process

1. Apply to Illinois State University
2. Choose an audition/interview date
3. Upload any required materials to your application
4. Receive a confirmation email from School of Theatre and Dance
5. Attend audition/interview
6. Receive a decision within two weeks
7. Submit your enrollment deposit and become a Redbird

Scholarship notification will take place the first week of March.

If you would like to audit a class via Zoom, meet with faculty, or if you have a question about the enrollment process, email Cristen Monson.

Acting or Musical Theatre Audition

On audition day, you will attend a synchronous interview with acting faculty.

There will be a brief meeting of all those auditioning. Faculty and administration will introduce themselves and answer questions.

You will go to a waiting room where current students will talk about the program and answer questions while individual auditions take place. Auditions will be in the order the application is received.

During your audition, you'll perform your pieces and be given feedback.

Upload your acting/performance resume and recent photo to your Slate application prior to your audition.

Materials for Acting Consideration

Required: Two contrasting monologues 60 seconds each
Optional: One song 32 bars with accompaniment track

Materials for Musical Theatre Consideration

Required:

1. Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad. One of which must be classic golden age (e.g. Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, Porter) and the other must be contemporary.
2. Provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a separate device to sing with through Zoom.
3. One 60 second monologue

Optional: If dance is your strong suit, you are invited to submit a pre-recorded 30-60 second dance sample in whatever discipline you are most comfortable. Please no tap. Dance media can be self-choreographed but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a full body self-tape or a professionally choreographed show, competition, or other performance so long as you are featured on your own. All choreography must be performed to music, no “a cappella” please.

Materials for Both Acting and Musical Theatre Consideration

1. Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad. One of which must be classic golden age (e.g. Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, Porter) and the other must be contemporary.
2. Provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a separate device to sing with through Zoom.
3. One 60 second monologue

Optional: If dance is your strong suit, you are invited to submit a pre-recorded 30-60 second dance sample in whatever discipline you are most comfortable. Please no tap. Dance media can be self-choreographed but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a full body self-tape or a professionally choreographed show, competition, or other performance so long as you are featured on your own. All choreography must be performed to music, no “a cappella” please.

Audition Tips

Choice of Material

• Choose something you like.
• Choose age-appropriate material.
• Avoid self-written monologues.
• Make sure the character is in conflict!
• Cut material to fit easily into the two-minute time limit (including transitions between monologues).
• Examples of contrasting monologues are: dramatic and comic, contemporary and classic, sophisticated and unsophisticated, urban/rural, manic/depressed, etc.
• A classical piece is not required.
• Know the character you are playing. For example Laura in The Glass Menagerie is not extroverted; Oscar in The Odd Couple is a slob.
• Choose material in your vocal range and that allows you to connect personally to the character.

Avoid

• Yelling
• Screaming
• Using dialects
• Phone call monologues
• Climax of the play
• Sexually explicit or extremely offensive material
• For musical theatre auditions, avoid overly done material or pieces associated with particular artists

Appearance

• Dress comfortably, but strive to make a good impression.
• Keep hair away from your face.
• Wear sensible shoes. No flip flops or extremely high heels!
• Avoid jewelry that is distracting, such as clanging earrings or bracelets.

Performing Your Monologues

• Remember that your audition begins with your entrance.
• Use the introduction to let us get to know you—speak clearly and take command of the room!
• Place your imaginary scene partner directly downstage from you, over our heads.
• Don't speak to a chair—it will cause you to focus on the floor.
• Don't rush the audition transitions. Allow yourself time to transition—after the introduction, between the pieces, and before you say "Thank you."
• Concentrate on pursuing what you want from your imaginary scene partner.             
• Finally, do not try to make an impression or give us what you think we want. Be yourself!

Deadlines and Review Dates

Students are accepted into the Acting major within the School of Theatre and Dance on a rolling basis, contingent on admission by Illinois State University. Normally students are notified within two weeks whether or not they have passed their audition via email.

• Freshmen: Get Started
• Transfer Students
• Current Students