Musical Theatre Audition Information

Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera.

• This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name.
• There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below).

Label each video file with the piece you are performing, the show or playwright, and your first & last name.

• Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name
• Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name
  • Examples:
    • Slate – James Smith
    • Your Daddy’s Son – Ragtime – Minnie Mouse
    • Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare – Luke Skywalker

Framing for Slates, Songs, and Monologues

Camera framing is simply the placement and position of the actor in the shot. We recommend a waist up frame so we can see your face and hear you clearly.

Think about the wild card section as an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. This media can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” Below is a list of ideas that have been successful in the past:

• Singing a pop song
• Singing or playing an original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance.
• Performing your own Saturday Night Live-styled skit where you create a comedic character
• Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you
• Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent
• Playing an instrument
• Making a “how-to” video on something you are good at, baking, calligraphy, gymnastics.
• If you are a dancer and want to show us a different style you excel in: Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, etc.

Our written introduction gives us the opportunity to get to know you, but it also is an opportunity to see if you take direction and actually answer the questions asked (you’d be surprised how many people don’t.) So much of what we do as artists is in the details, and the care with which you approach the requirements of this essay is essential to your success. We put a great deal of weight on the written introduction. In fact, it is the first thing we look at in an applicant’s profile. Please adhere to the requirements for the essay and answer all the questions listed below: 

Requirements for Essay 

• Your name must appear in the upper right corner of every page 
• Line spacing must be double-spaced 
• Margins need to be the “normal” setting of one inch (1”) at the top, bottom, left, and right 
• Indent the first line of each paragraph 
• All pages must be numbered
• Essay length is 1,000 words or less
• Font: Times New Roman, size 14
• File submitted must be a PDF 

Questions to Answer 

• What do you feel is special and unique about you?
• What do you feel your strengths and weaknesses are as a person and as an artist?
• What are your other interests and hobbies not related to theatre?
• What are your artistic interests outside of performing in musicals? (Writing, directing, composing music, plays, film, TV, etc.) 

Helpful Hints: 

• Be honest.
• Don't feel you need to impress us or, conversely, be overly humble.
• Don't waste time trying to figure out what you think we want to hear.
• We are looking for 12 to 14 unique artists for the Musical Theatre BFA Program who know themselves and will benefit the most from what our program has to offer. 

You are required to provide two letters of recommendation. Your recommenders may send this material directly to the Department of Theatre and Dance at the following email address: theatreletters@txstate.edu. Your first and last name must be included in the subject line of the email. 

Please do not send physical letters or transcripts.

Please DO NOT send recommendation letters to theatre@txstate.edu