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BFA Musical Theatre | BFA Dance | BFA Acting | BFA Design, Technology, and Stage Management

The Department of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance seek students interested in studying Musical Theatre. Monologues, songs, dance, improvisation, music theory entrance exam, and an interview will be part of the audition process.

Monologues

Candidates should prepare a monologue from contemporary theatre literature, which should not require elaborate production values for presentation. Your choice should not be from an unpublished work. The selection should be appropriate to your age and type. The piece should be prepared and memorized.

Songs

Prepare two songs: an up-tempo and a ballad. 16 bars of one type, and the complete song of the other. Both selections should be chosen from standard Broadway repertoire, each memorized and accompanied by sheet music (no chord charts, please). We will provide a pianist.

Dance

Musical Theatre candidates will be required to participate in a dance session that demonstrates fundamental skills in Jazz and Ballet. Students with Tap experience may be asked to demonstrate those skills as well. Acting candidates are not required to dance. If you wish to be considered for both programs, however, you must follow the audition protocol for Musical Theatre.

Music Theory Entrance Exam

Musical Theatre candidates will demonstrate a working knowledge of the language of music: rhythmic and melodic notation, meter and key signatures, intervals, basic triads, and pitch memory.

Interviews

All prospective students will interview with members of the faculty to discuss skills and interests. An interview will allow the student to talk with a faculty member in an informal manner and discover what Missouri State University and the student have to offer each other.

Attire

If participating in the dance audition, women should bring a solid leotard, tights, and character shoes for the dance audition (ballet or rehearsal skirts are optional). Men should bring either jazz shoes or sneakers. Those who choose to dress more formally for the monologue and song presentations will be given an opportunity to change.

Additional Audition Considerations

Audition personnel may ask you to perform one or more of the following tasks, and may ask that some of these tasks be rendered with specific guidelines or conditions. * Briefly discuss the plays and/or characters of your audition pieces. * Perform a simple physical task without words. * Re-perform one of your audition pieces with a different set of goals and conditions. * Ask the interviewers some questions relating to the Musical Theatre at Missouri State University.

Student Chat

You will have an opportunity to talk with current MSU students about student life, the department, casting, etc.

Parent Chat

During the auditions, an opportunity will be provided for parents of audition candidates to meet with department faculty for a question/answer session.

Purpose

The purpose of this audition process is to allow us an opportunity to evaluate your training and our ability to educate you with respect to a career in the theatre. The process is also designed to afford you the chance to decide if this program is best suited to your goals and abilities.

Application

In order to be accepted into the BFA Musical Theatre program, prospective students must be accepted by Missouri State University for General Admission. In addition, candidates should submit a completed BFA Acting/Musical Theatre Audition Application form with accompanying materials no later than Friday, January 25, 2008.

IMPORTANT: If you wish to be considered for both programs, you must follow the audition protocol for Musical Theatre.

NOTE: February 8 and March 15, 2008 are the only days that the Acting and Musical Theatre programs will conduct on-site auditions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to make the arrangements necessary to attend. Under special circumstances, alternate dates may be arranged by approval of James Woodland, BFA Acting Program Coordinator (417-836-6610). Videotaped auditions will not be accepted. Students unable to attend the 2008 auditions may still choose to enroll at MSU and audition for the program in 2009.

Click here to download application.

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