How to Audition
How to Audition
Application Deadline for Fall 2012 Admission to Major: January 15, 2012
(No applications to the major will be accepted after this date.)
When applying to Pace University, you must list one of the following majors on your application or you will not receive audition materials:
- Acting (major code ATG);
- Musical Theater (major code MTR);
- Theater Arts (major code THA)
DO NOT LIST YOUR MAJOR AS “FINE ARTS” – This is an ART major.
No one will be admitted to the major without audition. No audition will be scheduled until the university has received your application. When the University has received your application, you will be sent access to the “Audition Request Form.” If you have not received this form two weeks after you have filed your application, please contact Geraldine Brown at gbrown@pace.edu.
Please note: To audition for both Musical Theater and Acting/Theater Arts, you must schedule two separate auditions (may be on same day). Consult the Admission Process below for your specific audition requirements.
Audition Dates for Spring 2012 Admission:
(Application to the university and audition request must be submitted by November 1, 2011 to be eligible for Spring 2012 Admission)
Degrees: Acting (BFA), Musical Theater (BFA), Theater Arts-Acting/Directing/Commercial Dance (BA)
- Saturday, November 19, 11:00AM-2:00PM
Applicants for the BA-Theater Arts-Design/Technical Theater must schedule an interview by appointment Monday through Friday.
ENROLLED STUDENTS: If you are an enrolled student seeking to change your major, contact Geraldine Brown at gbrown@pace.edu to schedule an audition appointment.
Please note: Early Action application will apply to academic decision only. All decisions on acceptance into the major will be made at the end of March, 2012.
Audition Dates for Fall 2012 Admission:
(Application to the university must be submitted by JAN. 15, 2012 to be eligible for Fall 2012 Admission)
(Audition Request must be submitted by FEB. 15, 2012 to secure an audition for Fall 2012 Admission)
Degrees: Acting (BFA), Musical Theater (BFA), Theater Arts-Acting/Directing/Commercial Dance (BA)
ON CAMPUS NEW YORK CITY AUDITIONS:
- Saturday, January 28, 9:00AM-6:30PM
- Sunday, January 29, 9:00AM-6:30PM
- Saturday, February 4, 9:00AM-6:30PM
- Sunday, February 5, 9:00AM-6:30PM
- Saturday, February 25, 9:00AM-6:30PM
- Sunday, February 26, 9:00AM-6:30PM
LOS ANGELES, CA AUDITIONS (Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel):
- Saturday, February 11, 10:00AM-6:00PM
- Sunday, February 12, 10:00AM-6:00PM
Applicants for the BA-Theater Arts-Design/Technical Theater must schedule an interview by appointment Monday through Friday.
Application Guidelines
Admission Process:
Admission to the Theater Programs (BA and BFA) is contingent upon academic acceptance to the University. As a professional training program, we also require each applicant to audition or present a portfolio.
The purpose of this process is to assess the level of theater training and experience students bring with them. Since much of this has been extracurricular activity or private study, it will not appear on an academic transcript. We also look for students who can be part of a close knit collaborative group over the four years of study. If necessary, students are ranked to fill the available student slots.
We attempt to have our incoming Freshman class in place by April 15. This gives you sufficient time to get financial aid in place and arrange housing and placement testing. Late auditions/interviews may jeopardize your acceptance to the program and delay your admission to the University. All decisions on acceptance into the major will be made by the end of March.
For All Applicants
The Interview
To prepare for the audition you should bring the following items that will become a permanent part of your admissions folder.
- Resume. This is a chronological listing of the shows you have worked on and the kind of theatrical training you have had. Each entry should list: the title of the play, the role or job you worked on, where and when the show was presented and the director or person in charge.
- Brief statement (no longer than one page) telling why you want to go into theater, what your expectations are, and why you have chosen Pace.
- Two letters of reference from persons who know your training and have seen your work. Please note these letters are in addition to any submitted with your University application.
- Headshot or Photo of yourself.
For Performance Applicants
The Audition
A $50.00 non-refundable audition fee is payable at the audition.
If you would like to audition for both Musical Theater and Acting or Theater Arts, you must schedule an audition for each major. You may audition for two majors for a fee of $50.00.
This fee must be in the form of a personal check or money order made payable to Pace University, and must be presented at the audition. Please do not mail fees. All fees are non-refundable.
Acting (BFA)
This audition will take approximately 3 hours to complete.
Applicants should prepare two contrasting monologues from published full-length plays. Each monologue should not exceed 2 minutes. The applicant will only be asked to present one monologue. The selections must be memorized and performed without a prompter or referring to the script. The monologue should be age appropriate.
At check-in you will be assigned a basic scene and scene partner. A time will be assigned for you to perform your scene. This scene does not need to be memorized.
You may be asked to participate in a movement workshop for actors. Please bring appropriate clothing for this portion of the audition. You will be given time to change. Call sheets will be posted periodically with the names of workshop participants. Not everyone will be asked to participate in this workshop.
Musical Theater (BFA)
This audition will take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Thank you for your interest in the BFA Musical Theater degree program. We look forward to meeting you in your upcoming audition and wish to make our audition guidelines clear to you.
Songs/Monologues
Please prepare two contrasting 32-bar song selections. Contrasting could mean a difference in style and/or vocal range. You will only present ONE song (the faculty will choose which), but there is a possibility that your second song will be heard. Please prepare one contemporary monologue under two minutes. You will only present your monologue if asked.Dance
You will be asked to participate in a dance audition run by our dance faculty. Please dress in dance attire for this portion and bring your tap, jazz and ballet shoes if you have them (see list below). If you don’t have all of these shoes, don’t worry — we only ask that you can move well in the shoes you bring.Music
You will be asked to participate in a 20-minute music placement test. This test is merely to tell us which music fundamentals class you are right for. We accept students based on talent and potential and many times we accept students with no formal music training whatsoever.Preparation notes:
- You will have an accompanist
- Have your songs in a binder – not in a book or loose leaf.
- Your accompanist will not change keys or play from a lead sheet.
- No a capella singing.
We suggest that you choose material that will best show us YOU. Not how high you sing or how loud you belt – but what you are made of. Find material that you respond to in an emotional way. We strive to nurture your individuality and what makes you unique, so show us who you are!
Theater Arts - Acting Focus (BA)
This audition will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
Applicants should prepare two contrasting monologues from published full-length plays. The audition should not exceed 4 minutes TOTAL. The applicant may only be asked to present 1 monologue. These monologues should demonstrate your range and show contrast (e.g., Comic/Serious; Contrasting character types; or Stylized/Realistic). The selections must be memorized and performed without a prompter or referring to the script. You may be asked how this “moment” fits into the play as a whole.
Theater Arts - Commercial Dance Focus (BA)
This audition will take approximately 1 ½ hours to complete.
The B.A Theater/ Commercial Dance Focus is a major designed for students seeking a comprehensive study of theatre with a focus in the dance skills and theatre history necessary to achieve success in the commercial dance/theatre industry. The program is designed to give the student an understanding and appreciation of the dance styles prevalent in today’s commercial dance climate. Students will study ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and theatre dance.
Student acceptance into the B.A./Commercial Dance Program will be by audition only.
Three Intermediate/Advanced Level dance Classes/Combinations in Ballet, Jazz and Tap will be presented for students to learn and perform. Students will be adjudicated for the program by the dance faculty. Our faculty will examine each student’s dance placement, technique and performance quality. Dance Students must be dancing at a “Level 2” (Intermediate) in each of the above styles to gain admittance to the program.
Proper dance attire is required. You will be given time to change clothing.
Women: Ballet: Leotard and tights, pink ballet slippers.
Jazz: Black Jazz Pants, Leotard, tights. Black Jazz or character shoe
Men: Ballet: Black Tights, White T-Shirt, Black Ballet Slipper
Jazz: Black Jazz Pant or Black Sweats, White T Shirt, Black Jazz Shoes
Each student will prepare a type-written statement expressing why they feel Pace University’s B.A. Theater/ Commercial Dance Program would be vital to the success of their future dance career.
Please have 2 sets of your picture and resume.
Theater Arts - Directing Focus (BA)
This audition will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
Applicants should prepare one monologue from a published full-length play. The monologue should not exceed 2 minutes. The selection must be memorized and performed without a prompter or referring to the script. You may be asked how this “moment” fits into the play as a whole.
Prospective directors should bring samples of their work in the form of any or all of the following: script analysis; research/dramaturgy; production photographs (video cannot be accepted); prompt scripts; etc.
Theater Arts - Design/Technical Theater Focus (BA)
This interview will take approximately ½ hour to complete.
The Portfolio
Prospective designers should bring samples of any art work that you have produced or photographs (slides cannot be accepted) of productions on which you have worked. The art may be drawings, painting, collages, photographs, sketches or doodles, or mechanical drawings (drafting). If you have three-dimensional work (models or sculpture) please provide photographs (not slides) of these pieces.
If your interest is primarily in technical theater, you may provide written descriptions of the backstage work you have done and the skills you feel you have.
If you live a distance from New York and cannot present your portfolio in person it may be mailed to the Department. Enclose self-addressed packaging and postage if you want the materials returned.
The panel will look at your work without you present and then ask you questions about the materials in a telephone interview.
Video Auditions and Interviews
We will only accept video auditions under special circumstances. Applicants wishing to submit a video audition must present their case to the department for approval.
All correspondence and video auditions should be sent to:
Department of Performing Arts
Pace University
1 Pace Plaza
New York, NY 10038
Attn: Theater Program
Email is the fastest way to reach us. If you call the Department 212-346-1352, request to speak with:
|
Geraldine Brown |
If you have questions regarding the University admission process, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 212 346-1323 or via email at ugnyc@pace.edu.
