BFA Musical Theatre Audition Requirements

The WVU School of Theatre & Dance does not require a prescreen submission as part of the application process. However, we do ask that prospective students submit a video audition to be used for reference in scholarship deliberations. The requirements below are for video auditions and included below. During the on-campus audition, students will also participate in a dance call. The monologues and songs presented for the on-campus audition should be the same as those submitted by video. WVU Theatre & Dance uses digital audition submission requirements from   Musical Theatre Common Prescreen criteria, endorsed by Paper Mill Playhouse.

Please upload one video for your song and monologue package and another video for your dance audition. Each piece should be uploaded as a separate piece of media; please do not upload one continuous video.  

Prescreen Deadline: Rolling

Slate

There should not be a separate “slate” video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece.The proper slate for a song is to share  your name, the  title, and  show in which it appears.

The proper slate for a monologue is to share  your name, the  title of the play, and the  playwright.

Songs

Students should prepare 2-contrasting pieces:

• One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the “uptempo” or the “ballad”  (student’s choice).
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• One of the two songs  (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

You may choose from options A or B included below.

OPTION A

• One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the “uptempo” or the “ballad”  (student’s choice).
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• One of the two songs  (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

OPTION B

• Both songs should be from contemporary musicals (any musical written after 1970) contrasting in style
• One of the two songs  (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

Monologues

• Monologues must be from a published play.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Monologue Criteria: 1, 60-90 second contemporary monologue (written during the 20th Century-present) from a published play. This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.
• Contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

Wild Card Video: Optional

• You are welcome to but not required to submit a Wild Card video.
• Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
• This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc.  “What do you want us to know about you?” and  “What makes you unique?”.

Dance Option: Required

• 30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
• Please do not submit “barre work”. Instead, check to see if the auditioning program offers the optional “Ballet Submission” which is listed below.
• Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
• Dance media can be “self-choreographed”, but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• Framing: All dance media should be filmed in a “full frame” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire person in the frame at all times.  (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 60 seconds)
• Style: Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
• All choreography  must  be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.

Ballet - Optional Submission