Admission & Audition Procedures for BFA Musical Theatre
BFA Musical Theatre
SUNY Fredonia is a participant in the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen for the 2023-2024 cycle. https://getacceptd.com/musical-theater-common-prescreen
Prescreen requirements are as follows:
For the 2023/2024 Audition Cycle, MTCP has included a list of helpful hints. We strongly encourage that you take advantage of these resources which have been thoughtfully and intentionally crafted by the expertise of multiple programs nationwide to support the excellence of the audition and for your benefit. To view the MTCP Resources Page, go to https://getacceptd.com/musical-theater-common-prescreen.
OVERALL
Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
INTRODUCTION (“SLATE”)
There should not be a separate introduction or “slate” video. Instead, “slates” are to appear at the beginning of each piece and included as part of the time allotment. (Read through the resources page for examples of each of the three slates described below).
The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song 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.
The proper slate for a piece of dance is to share your name, the title of the song you
are dancing to, and the name of the choreographer. If the piece is “self-choreographed” you should share your own name as choreographer.
SONGS
Students should prepare two contrasting pieces.
One song should be a ballad (where the piece has longer, sustained vocal lines) and
one song should be an uptempo (where the vocal line moves at a conversational pace)
so as to contrast style.
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).
Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
For our program you may choose EITHER:
-OPTION A
One song should be written before 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.
OR
-OPTION B
Both songs should be from contemporary musicals (any musical written after 1970) and contrast in style (“ballad” and “uptempo”).
One of the two songs (student’s choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).
MONOLOGUES
You may prepare either one or two pieces.
Monologues must be from a published play.
Monologues cannot be from musicals.
Each monologue file should be 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)
For out program you may choose EITHER:
-OPTION A
1 contemporary monologue (written after 1950), 60-90 seconds in length
The contemporary 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.
OR
-OPTION B
2 contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below)
1 Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
1 Classical (typically written before 1950
-
Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full frame” shot which means the top of the head to the floor should be visible in the frame.
-
Classical monologues must have heightened language
-
Playwrights may include Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still employ heightened language
-
DANCE
You are required to submit a dance prescreen.
All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times. (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 60 seconds)
All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.
Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
-DANCE REQUIRED VIDEO
30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
Please do not submit “barre work”. Instead, check to see if the auditioning program
offers the optional “Ballet Submission” which is listed below.
Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
Dance media can be “self-choreographed”, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
-BALLET SUBMISSION IS OPTIONAL
Ballet Media should be no more than 60 seconds.
Execute a brief series of plié, tendu, and grande battement;
Execute pirouette en déhors (to both sides)
Execute one or more grand jeté across the floor.
WILD CARD
A “Wild Card” submission is OPTIONAL for Fredonia.
Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
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?” and “What makes you unique?” (See the resources page for ideas on Wild Card submissions).