Drake University Department of Theatre Arts

Audition Requirements

 

BFA in Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre or Theatre Education

á      Prepare two contrasting monologues (memorized); one must be classical (pre-1900) and one contemporary (post-1900).

For this audition, please perform monologues from plays. Do not audition with monologues from film scripts/movies, television shows, or musicals. Auditions are timed; monologues should not exceed 90 seconds in length, with a total of three minutes for the audition. Actors need to introduce both monologues prior to the timed part of the audition. Timing starts with the first word of the first monologue. Please note: you must time your monologues back to back. Any transition between monologues is part of the total three minutes for the audition.

 

BFA in Musical Theatre (in addition to the 2 monologues)

á      Prepare two contrasting songs (memorized) from the Musical Theatre repertoire

Actors must sing to accompaniment and are required to bring sheet music. Do not sing to prerecorded music. Make sure the sheet music is in the correct key; the accompanist will not transpose any music. Each song should be no longer than 90 seconds. Actors have a total of three minutes for the audition; the timing of the audition starts with the first piano note. This does not include the introduction of the songs. Please note: you must time your songs back to back. Any transition between songs is part of the total three minutes for the audition.

á      Dance Audition

Bring dance clothes to change into. Jazz shoes/sneakers are preferred, but gym shoes are OK. Actors auditioning for the BFA in Musical Theatre will learn a short dance combination.

 

Musical Theatre Minor

á      Prepare one monologue (memorized)

Actors need to perform one monologue from a play. Do not audition with monologues from film scripts/movies, television shows, or musicals. Auditions are timed; monologues should not exceed 90 seconds in length. Actors have a total of 90 seconds for the audition; the timing starts with the first word of the monologue. This does not include the introduction of the monologue.

á      Prepare one song (memorized)

Actors must sing to accompaniment and are required to bring sheet music. Do not sing to prerecorded music. Make sure the sheet music is in the correct key; the accompanist will not transpose any music. The song should be no longer than 90 seconds. Actors have a total of 90 seconds for the audition; the timing begins with the first piano note. This does not include the introduction of the song.

á      The dance audition is optional for minors.

 

 

 

BFA Design/Technology

á      Prepare a portfolio for entrance into the program.
The portfolio can include any of the following: drawings, sketches, paintings, stage management paperwork, photographs, programs, or posters that the student has designed.

á      As with a performance audition, our preference would be to meet with you in person during Drake Theatre Audition Day(s). 

á      An on-site interview is best so that you can present your work. If that is not possible, then a COPY of your portfolio should be mailed to the department and a phone interview will be scheduled. A portfolio on CD/ROM or DVD is acceptable.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

á      If auditioning on one of the two Saturday Audition Days, Drake Department of Theatre Arts will provide an accompanist.

á      If attending an individual audition appointment, Drake Department of Theatre Arts does not provide an accompanist. Therefore, actors must provide own music either in the way of an accompanist, or prerecorded music on an iPod or CD.