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MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical Theatre is comprised of three disciplines: dance, music, and theatre. The Musical Theatre audition includes participation in a dance class, song repertoire, acting requirement and a department interview.

Dance Requirements:
Applicants will be taught a jazz combination specific to Musical Theatre and should come in appropriate attire for moving (see dance guidelines for attire specifications). Ladies should bring character shoes, gentlemen bring jazz shoes.

Music Requirements:
Applicants must bring sheet music for the provided accompanist and must perform both of the following:
One up-tempo song from a musical written before 1970
One ballad from a musical written before 1970, or a classical piece (aria or art song in any language)

Freshmen and sophomores must sing 32 bars or one verse and chorus for each song. Juniors must be prepared to sing the entire song.

Suggested Sources/References for Songs:
Ballad & Up-Tempo Repertoire:
Any works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, Frank Loesser, Comden and Green, Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Hermann, Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen.

Books:
The Singer’s Musical Theater Anthology, Hal Leonard Corp and Richard Walters, volumes for soprano, mezzo/belter, tenor, and baritone/bass
The Teen’s Music Theater Collection, Louise Lerch, young women’s and young men’s editions

Classical Repertoire:
24 Italian Songs and Arias, G. Schirmer edition, published by Hal Leonard Corp. Medium-high and medium-low voice editions

Acting Requirements:

All applicants must:
  • Participate in guided group ensemble work (wear clothes that allow movement)
  • Solo performance requirements as listed below

Incoming Freshman:
  • Contemporary monologue,* one to two minutes, chosen from the list of Arts Academy selected plays (available online)
  • One Shakespearean Sonnet (performance ready)

Incoming Sophomore:
  • Two contrasting monologues* totaling four minutes:
  • Classical comedy (before 1900)
  • Contemporary drama (after 1900)
  • Resumé of previous work and study

Incoming Junior:
  • Two contemporary contrasting monologues* totaling four minutes
  • One Shakespearean monologue* totaling three minutes
  • Resumé of previous work and study and a headshot

* All monologues MUST be from a scripted play. No internet monologues, no original work, no poetry will be accepted. Applicants must read the entire play from which the piece has been selected. Be prepared to have the monologue(s) work-shopped by an Arts Academy faculty member.

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