Theatre - Acting
Overview
Welcome to the Acting sequence at Illinois State University! This is where your amazing journey to become a professional actor begins. Under the hands-on mentoring and rigorous demands of the professional acting faculty you will be challenged to become citizens of the world and courageous theatre artists. Opportunities to hone your craft on the stage are numerous, and we pride ourselves on providing training to prepare you for a life in the theatre or wherever your life leads. Join in the excitement of the Acting program in the School of Theatre and Dance, where we play boldly.
Point of Pride
Students are directors, playwrights, theatre managers, dramaturgs, actors, and critics. They propose, produce, and direct their own projects, collaborate in the annual Playwrights' Workshop, or assist with marketing and management of the School of Theatre and Dance main season. Students have many opportunities to interact and network with diverse visiting artists.
Why study Theatre - Acting?
Theatre is performed everywhere – on Broadway in New York City, in shows that travel around the country, in professional regional theaters in large cities, in community theaters in small towns, in school or even in the streets. People who have trained in theatre may also have the opportunity to work in movies and on television. There are additional professional jobs beyond being an actor; usually a theatre or movie production consists of a few actors and many backstage production personnel. A theatre major provides the background for all such jobs.
Schedule a Visit
Come see campus and meet with campus representatives either in person or virtually. Optional chances to meet with academic department, honors, and financial aid.
How to Apply
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
- Apply to Illinois State University
- Choose an audition/interview date
- Upload any required materials to your application
- Receive a confirmation email from School of Theatre and Dance
- Attend audition/interview
- Receive a decision within two weeks
- 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:
- Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad, 1 classic golden age (e.g. Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, Porter, and 1 contemporary.
- Provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a separate device to sing with through Zoom.
- One 60 second monologue
Optional: Dance combination submitted separately (choreographed by Illinois State dance faculty)
Materials for Both Acting and Musical Theatre Consideration
- Two contrasting songs from American Musical Theatre Repertoire, 60-90 seconds each, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad, 1 classic golden age (e.g. Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, Porter, and 1 contemporary.
- Provide your own recorded accompaniment or musical track that you will play on a separate device to sing with through Zoom.
- One 60 second monologue
Optional: Dance combination submitted separately (choreographed by Illinois State dance faculty)
Audition Tips
Choice of Material
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Choose something you like.
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Choose age-appropriate material.
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Avoid self-written monologues.
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Make sure the character is in conflict!
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Cut material to fit easily into the two-minute time limit (including transitions between monologues).
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Examples of contrasting monologues are: dramatic and comic, contemporary and classic, sophisticated and unsophisticated, urban/rural, manic/depressed, etc.
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A classical piece is not required.
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Know the character you are playing. For example Laura in The Glass Menagerie is not extroverted; Oscar in The Odd Couple is a slob.
Avoid
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Yelling
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Screaming
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Using dialects
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Phone call monologues
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Climax of the play
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Sexually explicit or extremely offensive material
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For musical theatre auditions, avoid overly done material or pieces associated with particular artists
Appearance
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Dress comfortably, but strive to make a good impression.
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Keep hair away from your face.
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Wear sensible shoes. No flip flops or extremely high heels!
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Avoid jewelry that is distracting, such as clanging earrings or bracelets.
Performing Your Monologues
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Remember that your audition begins with your entrance.
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Use the introduction to let us get to know you—speak clearly and take command of the room!
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Place your imaginary scene partner directly downstage from you, over our heads.
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Don't speak to a chair—it will cause you to focus on the floor.
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Don't rush the audition transitions. Allow yourself time to transition—after the introduction, between the pieces, and before you say "Thank you."
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Concentrate on pursuing what you want from your imaginary scene partner.
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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.