How to Audition & Apply

Learn how to apply & audition

All students are admitted into the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre by prescreening and audition, and is contingent upon acceptance into Indiana University. Application for admittance into Indiana University is separate from the audition.

Students applying for the B.F.A. should submit an application to the Indiana University Admissions Office concurrently with the application to the B.F.A. Program in Musical Theatre. While acceptance into the B.F.A. ultimately depends on university admission, auditions may occur while admission is still pending.

When prompted to declare a major for the General Admissions application, please enter Musical Theatre from the list of majors. Be sure to submit the General Admissions application by November 1 for merit scholarship consideration.

Are you interested in music and musical theatre? If you plan to pursue a major in music through the Jacobs School of Music, but have a strong interest in musical theatre, you might consider pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) degree.

Learn about the B.S.O.F.

Three steps to the audition & application process

It is our intention to hold all auditions. 

  • October 31, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • November 1, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interviews
  • January 23, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • January 24, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interviews
  • February 6, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • February 7, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interviews

To be invited to an audition day, you must first submit a prescreening audition through acceptd.com.

Please open an Acceptd account and apply, following the instructions on acceptd.com. Your application will include a headshot photograph and resume, high school transcript, a one page personal statement, and the prescreen video.

Prescreen Submission Criteria

Indiana University Musical Theatre is a participant in the 2020-2021 Musical Theatre Common PreScreen

Overall

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.

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 a ballad and one song should be an uptempo
  • Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (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).
  • Option A from the common application
    • One song should be written prior to 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.

Monologue

Please use Option A from the 2020-2021 Musical Theatre Common Prescreen.

The monologue must be from a published play. It cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.

  • Monologue must be contemporary (written from 1900 – to the present) 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 should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

Dance Video

Dance video should show examples of lyric jazz and/or ballet, musical theatre or contemporary dance and/or tap, original choreography or samples. Please do not include basic barre or musical performance/concert clips.

Include a short dance combination (30 to 60 seconds) in a dance style of your choosing. Please do not include barre work or clips from performances.

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?”.

Essay Question (*this is in addition to the university admissions essay)

Please answer the following questions in a one-page essay: What work of literature or movie do you think would make a great musical, and what role would you have for yourself in this production?

You must complete your General Admissions application to Indiana University. In order to be considered for merit scholarships, you should submit your application by November 1.

Early application is helpful in the audition process.

You can direct questions to Scott Hogsed, B.F.A. Liaison (bfaaud@indiana.edu).

Due to COVID-19, IU Theatre & Dance will not be holding on-campus auditions for the B.F.A. Musical Theatre class of 2025. Instead, all auditions will be held via video submission, with all callbacks and follow-up meetings being via Zoom Webinar. 

  • October 31, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • November 1, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interview 
  • January 23, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • January 24, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interviews 
  • February 6, 2020 - Online program introduction, Q&A session with Area Head Richard Roland and B.F.A. student panelists
  • February 7, 2020 - Individual prospective student audition interviews

Specific Zoom interview audition times will be sent with an audition invitation. Indiana University does not attend Regional/Unifide auditions.

Check-in will take place using the email address you provided in your Acceptd application. 

Students:

  • Dance class (1 hour)
  • Acting class (1 hour)
  • Break
  • 4-minute individual audition

Parents:

  • Meeting with Professor Richard Roland
  • Building Tour
  • Discussion of program requirements and opportunities
  • Break
  • Reconnect with students following individual auditions

Prospective students will begin the day with a dance class to warm up the mind and body as well as demonstrate proficiency and potential. Please wear comfortable stretch clothing. There will be opportunity to change for the afternoon auditions.

An acting class will follow, in which basic ensemble work and improvisation will be explored. After lunch, individual auditions will commence.

Please prepare two contrasting songs of 16 to 32 measures each. Material should be chosen that best demonstrates vocal and acting ability. Treat the song as a monologue with a strong sense of character, wants, and desires. To whom are you singing, why and what do you hope to achieve?

Your music should be clearly marked and in the correct key for the accompanist we provide. We prefer you sing with a piano. CD, cassette tape, or a cappella is not allowed.

In addition, prepare one 60-second monologue from any American play. Please limit the total time of songs and monologue to 3 minutes. Please bring your sheet music to the audition in a looseleaf binder, for ease of the accompanist.

You are free to leave after the individual auditions.

During the acting and dance classes, there will be a meeting for parents to answer any questions about the program, with a tour of the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.