AUDITIONS

DANCE | MEDIA ARTS | MUSIC | MUSICAL THEATRE | THEATRE | VISUAL ARTS

AUDITIONS/PORTFOLIO REVIEW DATES

Each arts department has specific audition/portfolio review requirements, please review them prior to a scheduled audition date. Parents and guardians may not observe auditions/portfolio reviews.

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Applicants to CAA must prepare an audition or portfolio review based on the following audition guidelines. Please read these guidelines carefully, as applicants are expected to fulfill all requirements from their selected arts discipline.

DANCE

Dance majors at the CAA take intensive classes in ballet, modern, and jazz. The curriculum is designed to develop technique and to maximize each student's individual talent.

Requirements:

• Be prepared to take a ballet class and modern combination
• Prepare a one to two minute solo routine in ballet, jazz, modern, or a dance form that is representative of your talent
• Bring your own accompaniment on CD or cassette. Please have cassettes cued to your music

Attire:

• Dress in suitable, clean dance attire
• Ladies: black leotards, black or pink tights, ballet slippers
• Gentlemen: white t-shirt, black tights, ballet slippers, dance belt
• No sweat clothes or baggy shorts

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MEDIA ARTS

Media Arts majors explore their vision within two distinctive modes: as writers or as digital motion picture makers. The program includes classes in poetry, fiction, screenwriting, and personal publications, as well as fictional, documentary, and experimental video.

Media Arts Writing Requirements:
1) Submit a portfolio containing a selection of your work (typed). Please be prepared to talk about your creative work (fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction) as well as what you read on your own for pleasure and intellectual or artistic stimulation.
Note: Please submit copies only; materials will not be returned.

2) Read one of the listed short stories, and please respond to the following questions in 300 words or less.

Media Arts Video Requirements:
1) A short video (on VHS, CD-ROM, or DVD) of five minutes or less, or a screen play with story boards (five to ten page script with one or more pages story boarded)

2) Two movie pitches: written ideas for future films that the prospective student would make (without financial restraints)

3) Watch scenes from one of the listed films and write a typed essay (approximately 500 words) discussing the following aesthetics:

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MUSIC

The Music Department prepares students with highly diverse musical backgrounds for successful college-level music study and professional careers. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the traditions of classical music and jazz, and is comprised of high-level private study, academic music courses, ensemble experience, and performance opportunities.

Requirements:
All Auditionees should be prepared to:

• Discuss, though not necessarily sight-read, a piece of music they have never seen before
• Discuss their history of training and music experience (lessons, orchestras, competitions, etc)
• Discuss any knowledge of, or training in, music theory

Guitar
Guitarists should be prepared to:

• Play and discuss level-appropriate chords and scales
• Perform two classical guitar pieces, two jazz standards, or one of each

Percussion
Percussionists should be prepared to perform any two of the following:

• Perform various drum set grooves, including jazz/swing, bossa nova, and rock/funk
• Perform a level-appropriate snare drum piece and/or rudiments
• Perform a level-appropriate vibraphone, marimba, or xylophone piece (highly recommended for incoming juniors)

Piano
Pianists should be prepared to:

• Play and discuss level-appropriate chords and scales
• Perform two contrasting pieces from the standard classical repertoire
• Perform a jazz standard (optional)

Strings, Brass, and Winds
String, brass, and wind players should be prepared to:

• Play and discuss level-appropriate scales
• Perform an etude or technical study
• Perform a solo piece from the standard classical repertoire
• Perform a jazz standard (optional)

Voice
Singers should be prepared to perform any two of the following:

• An art song or aria in English
• An art song or aria in Italian, French, or German
• A jazz standard

Note: Singers are not allowed to audition a capella. All singers must either bring sheet music for the accompanist (preferable) or a CD accompaniment without a vocal track. CDs with a preexisting vocal track are unacceptable.

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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). All applicants should wear 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)
• All applicants must sing 32 bars (or one verse and one chorus)

Acting Requirements:
All applicants must:

Incoming Freshman or Sophmore:

• One Contemporary (after 1900) monologue,* one to two minutes. We suggest - but do not limit you to - one chosen from the CAA list of approved plays
• One Shakespearean Sonnet (performance ready)

Incoming Junior:

• One contemporary (after 1900) monologue* totaling one to two minutes. We suggest - but do not limit you to - one chosen from the CAA list of approved plays
• One Shakespearean monologue* totaling two minutes

* 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.

Other Requirements:
Please bring a resume or a list of your performance and training experience, and be prepared for an interview with the department faculty.

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THEATRE

Theatre studio classes range from beginning to advanced acting. Theatre faculty and professional guest artists instruct students in movement, design, and directing.

All applicants must:

• Participate in guided group ensemble work (wear clothes that allow movement)
• Complete solo performance requirements as listed below
• Participate in a department Interview

Incoming Freshman:

• Contemporary monologue,* one to two minutes, chosen from the CAA list of approved plays
• Shakespearean Sonnet (performance ready)

Incoming Sophomore:

• Two 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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VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts majors devote their attention to the technical development of fundamental skills. Each student takes classes in drawing and design, and selects among electives in drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and painting. Prospective Visual Arts students must present a portfolio.

Portfolio Requirements:

• Self-portrait (from direct observation)
• What you see while looking out your window
• A section of your room, including your bed
• A pair of shoes
• Something from your imagination

Note: In addition to the above requirements, it is important that applicants bring other examples of work and their sketch books.

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