THEATRE

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for students who possess a passion for acting, a desire to immerse themselves in all aspects of the theatre, and an interest in pursuing a career in the field. Students should be focused, on-task, imaginative, emotionally available, and able to express themselves physically as well as vocally. Ideal candidates listen and adapt, accept criticism, and can incorporate suggestions into their work.

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How to Prepare:

1. Prepare and memorize a monologue no more than two-minutes in length from one of the plays listed below:

a. A monologue is a speech from a play where one character is talking to themselves or other characters for a period of time. If a character interrupts the speech, you can usually skip their interjection and continue the monologue.

b. We will only see monologues from one of the plays listed below.

c. The Theatre Department does not provide hard or online copies of the prescribed plays. It is the auditioner’s responsibility to acquire the play they choose from a library, bookstore, etc. If you need help, contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org.

2. Prepare and memorize a published poem/spoken word piece that is 25 lines or less. A good source for poetry is the Poetry Out Loud website

3. Students may also perform a published song instead of a poem. The song will be performed a cappella (without piano accompaniment).

4. The auditioner must prepare for both a monologue and a poem/spoken word or song.

5. Be prepared to tell us why you want to attend the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Theatre Department and what you hope to accomplish while you are here.

6. Come to the audition on time, dressed in loose-fitting clothes, if possible (solid color clothing preferred, no logos). Please pull your hair back/away from your face, no jewelry (if you have a new piercing, please make sure to have the jewelry covered by a bandage), wear tennis shoes if possible and be prepared for movement and warm-up exercises. If you have questions, contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org.

7. Have a water bottle and small snack close by if needed.

 

The Audition Process Itself

• Preliminary Audition: Auditioning students will participate in group warm-up exercises prior to their individual audition.

• CALLBACKS: Rounds 1-3 will be IN-PERSON at the school (please see the audition schedule for audition and callback dates). If you have questions or concerns regarding in-person participation, contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org.

o Students who have a successful preliminary audition will be invited to one or more callbacks, which may be required in-person on various dates/times.

▪ At callbacks, students participate in acting, speech, improvisation, dance, and movement classes facilitated by our faculty.

▪ Students will be asked to present their monologue and poem/spoken word again, for the faculty to access the student’s ability to listen and incorporate the information they learned in the classes.

▪ Students will work on a group exercise and participate in an interview.

 

Have a Successful Audition

• We suggest students attend one of the audition workshops provided by the Theatre Department. Please find our workshop flyer on our school’s website. During this workshop, prospective students will learn more about the department, learn more about the audition process, and receive coaching from current students and faculty on their audition monologue and song or poem/spoken word.

• We want to make sure that you can be heard and understood at all times. Memorize and practice your monologue, song, and poetry recitation to ensure that you can keep your voice audible, strong, and supported and to speak or sing clearly.

 

About the MONOLOGUE

• We will only accept and hear monologues from one of the plays listed below.

• Be sure you enjoy performing your selections and that the pieces are in the right age range for you.

• Be sure that you read the play as you may be asked questions pertaining to the play you selected.

• Students are expected to audition with a prepared monologue. That means it should be memorized and rehearsed.

• Students should understand the Character (who the person in the monologue is), the Objective (what the character wants), Actions (what the character does to get what they want), and the Given Circumstances (the information the playwright provides that affect the actions of the character).

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The POEM/SPOKEN WORD

• Students must choose a published poem/spoken word that is no more than 25 lines. Unpublished works will not be accepted.

• Students should choose a poem/spoken word that they can relate to and enjoy performing – gender roles in the plays below are solely for guidance – students may choose whichever role they feel most comfortable with.

• Students must apply the advice given above for the monologue.

 

About the SONG

• Students must choose a published song. Unpublished works will not be accepted.

• Songs will be performed in a capella, so choose something you feel comfortable with without piano accompaniment.

• Students should choose a song that they can relate to, is in their vocal range, and they enjoy singing.

• Students must apply the advice given above for the monologue.

 

Please note 504 and IEP accommodation is available. Please contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org with

any questions or concerns