Jump to Junior Camp | Senior Camp | Advanced Camp
Auditioner Basics
- Give 100% Effort
- Take A “Creative Risk”
- Showcase your talents and abilities
- Be supportive of others at the audition
Junior Camp
You will be called in one-at-a-time to slate. Your slate will consist of the following components: your full name, where you are from & Something interesting about you.
Example “interesting” responses:
- Your previous training
- Favorite shows
- People who have inspired you
- Future goals or endeavors
- Recent successes
- Reason for coming to this camp
Note: These are just examples; you should be creative with your responses!
We will be looking for poise, articulation, stage presence, eye contact, believability, diction, vocal projection & sincerity. We are not looking for comedy, silliness or skits.
Dancing
A jazz combination will be taught to everyone and you will perform in small groups. Please wear either jazz shoes or tennis shoes to the audition.We will be looking for poise, stage presence, facial expressions, confidence, clarity of steps, memory for steps, sense of style, use of body & self-awareness.
Singing
We will teach you a song from a Broadway show of our choosing and you will each sing part of that song, first in groups and then as a solo. Everyone will sing alone at some point! We will be looking for poise, articulation, stage presence, eye focus, expression, interpretation, diction, vocal projection, musicianship & rhythm.
Tips for Non-Dancers
If you learn more slowly, stand toward the front, play close attention and ask questions. Have personality! Even if you don’t feel comfortable, lowok like you are having a great time! Sell it! If you mess up a dance step, don’t worry about it. Choreographers know they can eventually teach you the steps. We’d much rather have someone who has loads of personality than an expressionless person executing steps perfectly.
Tips for Non-Singers
Sing out! Try to fill the room with your voice, even if you make a mistake. Sell the song! Singing is about storytelling. Even if you’re not the best singer you can still use your voice to tell us a story. Act like you’re having fun and enjoying yourself even if you’re scared to death. Remember: We all want you to succeed. We are not judging you. It is perfectly fine if you make a mistake. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been in your shoes before.)
Senior Camp
Campers will audition in front of the staff and other campers. Each camper has no more than five minutes to present his/her audition. Those who are attending Tap Advanced, follow the Advanced Camp audition requirements.
What to Prepare
- Acting
2 contrasting 1-2 minute monologues - Musical Theatre
2 contrasting 16 bar cuts from musical theatre repertoire, 1 monologue (1-2 minutes) from a play, and a less-than 1 minute dance in the style of your choosing (optional) - Filmmaking
Present a selection of previous work, or intended work
Requirements and Tips
Monologues
The monologues must be from a published play. We are looking for natural and honest performances.
Choosing a monologue: Find a monologue from a play, not written for a monologue book. Check your local library, bookstore or the internet. It is always best to read the entire play before you begin work on a monologue. Make sure that you select material that has an age range you can play convincingly.
Preparing a monologue: Based on the play and the character, answer the following questions: 1) Who are you and what is your personality like? 2)Where are you? 3) When is it? What century, year? 4)What time of year? What time of day? 5) Who are you talking to? 6) What do you want from them – or want to prevent them from doing? 7) What stands in your way? 8) Why must this be said now and now yesterday or tomorrow?
Songs
Your songs should be 16 bars long and less than two minutes total. Songs must be performed with our piano accompanist. Bring the sheet music in the correct key. Consider these basic tips: 1) Know your music/song. 2) Know your tempo (how fast or slow you perform the song). 3) Know exactly where you will begin and where you will end. 4) Know the accompaniment: how it sounds in relation to the musical line you are singing. 5) Use good posture. 6) Find a focus point. Don’t let your eyes roll around. Pick a spot and visualize the person you are singing to. 7) Know what you want from the character your singing to. 8) Make specific choices about how you’re going to get what you want. 9) Focus on the connection between you and the imaginary person you are singing to. Create a scene.
Dances
The solo dance presentation may be choreographed by the auditioner, a fellow dancer, a dance instructor or it may be taken from an original professional source. Musical accompaniment, if any, must be provided by the camper on compact disc.
Filmmaking
Campers are encouraged to be as creative as necessary in showing the directors and other campers their background and experience. Feel free to use multi media, props, costumes, etc. Below are merely suggestions. Examples: A complete film project. Any piece of a film project. A treatment for a proposed film project. A Presentation about a film that had an impact on you. Show materials that you are proud of. Use your talents to present the material in a creative fashion. If your resume is short, show your enthusiasm for the craft by using fictitious projects.
What the auditors will be watching for
How much energy and effort you put into your performance and how well you relay the meaning of the song to the audience. Are you confident with the material? Are you on pitch, in rhythm and properly projecting? Expression and interpretation. Showmanship/Expression: put the style of the piece in your body and face. Confidence: show the choreographer that you are comfort- able and confident with the combination. Dance technique: show proper technique including body alignment, spatial awareness, rhythm, clarity of steps, etc.
Advanced Camp
Be prepared to present your audition materials on the first day of camp. Those who are attending tap senior, follow the Advanced Camp audition requirements.
The curriculum for Acting and Musical Theatre is the same. All campers will prepare songs and monologues and take movement/dance classes. Musical Theatre Majors will learn at least two songs and one monologue. Acting Majors will learn at least two monologues and one song.
Acting Majors
Present two contrasting monologues, each approximately two minutes in length and one 32 bar cut of a musical theatre song (optional). Your monologue selections should be characters from published plays. We are looking for evidence of a true understanding of both the character and full context of the monologue. We are looking for naturalness and honesty. Please, no costumes or clips from previous performances.
Musical Theatre Majors
Present two contrasting 32 bar cuts from musical theatre repertoire and one 1-2 minute monologue from a published play. Be sure one song is up-tempo and the other is a ballad. Additionally, one must have been written before 1965, and the other after 1965. Songs must be performed with a piano accompanist or an accompaniment tape. No a capella. We are looking for natural and honest performers. Please, no costume and no clips from previous performances.
All Advanced Campers
Bring your headshot and resume (if you have them). Send an e-mail as soon as possible outlining the audition materials that you have prepared. List all songs and what shows they are from. List all monologues and what plays they are from.
