Theater Audition Requirements

• Musical Theater Common Prescreen "Slate" Video

  • Begin by introducing yourself and your pronouns (if you choose). 
  • Time limit: 10 seconds 
     

• Boston Conservatory at Berklee Introduction Video

  • Begin by introducing yourself and your pronouns (if you choose).
  • Share why you are interested in attending Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
  • Time limit: 1 minute

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces. We would like you to prepare Option A from the common pre-screen process:

• One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the up-tempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast with the style of the first (can include jukebox musicals).
• Each song file should be 60 to 90 seconds in length. (This time limit is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.)
• The songs should be filmed with the top of the head to the waist visible in the frame.

We would like you to prepare Option A from the common pre-screen process:

• One monologue either excerpted from a published play or written by a professional writer. Please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.
• Monologues should be filmed with the top of the head to the waist visible in the frame.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Each monologue file should be 60 to 90 seconds in length. Please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.

• Show us your best version of dancing or moving. If you have dance training or experience in any discipline (including but not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip-hop, lyrical, or contemporary), you are encouraged to submit a video in whatever discipline you feel most confident. Please do not submit barre work.
• Dance submissions can be self-choreographed but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance, as long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music.
• Dance submissions should be 60 to 90 seconds in length. All submissions should take care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.

• You are invited to submit an additional video that reveals more information about your unique interests, skills, and personality.
• “Wild card” examples may include playing an instrument, performing a self-written song or monologue, rapping, acrobatics, stand-up comedy, spoken word, magic, drag, impersonations, etc.
• Time limit: one minute

Musical theater applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting monologues: one contemporary monologue (written after 1970) and one classical, spoken word, or verse monologue (any time period—Shakespeare, Greek drama, and Molière are welcome as well as BIPOC and female-identifying playwrights or writers). You are welcome to choose a character of any gender identification. In choosing your monologues, we recommend that you select material that reflects your own theatrical interests and values, that is active (not just narrative), and that portrays characters close to your age. Your choice of material will help us get to know you as an actor. You will have three minutes to perform both monologues.

Musical theater applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting songs, one ballad and one up-tempo. At least one selection must be from the musical theater repertoire. The other selection may also be in the musical theater repertoire or may be in the pop/rock style. In choosing your material, we recommend that you:

• select material that you enjoy performing and that reflects your personality;
• select songs that showcase your unique vocal quality, phrasing, and lyric interpretation;
• select songs that express a character’s feelings and emotional life;
• avoid long instrumental introductions leading into songs; and
• keep each song to two minutes, preferably 32 bars (a verse and a chorus).

Applicants must bring pre-recorded accompaniment (no CDs permitted). We will provide speakers and an auxiliary plug for your device. There will not be a CD player or piano available in the audition room. Again, please adhere to a four-minute time limit for the total singing portion of the audition.

After your acting/singing audition, the audition panel will then ask you a few informal questions, so we can get to know you better.

In-Person Auditions

Musical theater applicants will learn combinations in diverse musical theater styles, including ballet and jazz, in a 90-minute master class format. All levels of dance experience are welcome. Applicants should wear comfortable attire that allows for freedom of movement, such as:

• Unitard or leotard, dance pants or dance skirts
• Solid-colored shirt or tank top
• Yoga wear and/or athleisure
• Dance shoes (ballet slippers, character shoes, jazz shoes) are recommended. Sneakers will also be accepted. Tap shoes are not required.

Online Auditions

The dance call requires pre-recorded material and a live online component. Upon registering for an audition, applicants will be provided with videos of a ballet and jazz combination along with audio recordings of the music from these combinations. Applicants must prepare and upload videos of themselves performing these combinations 48 hours prior to the date of their online audition. If you have other styles or techniques of dance that you would like to share with us, you are invited to submit an additional dance video (one minute maximum). These forms may include tap, hip-hop, salsa, gymnastics, South Asian, folk, swing, Bollywood, Highland, circus arts, etc.

During the online audition, you will participate in an improv session with Professor of Theater Michelle Chassé, who will encourage you to show us what is unique about you.

If you are auditioning in person, please bring the following with you to your audition:

• Two copies of your headshot and résumé (one for each panel)
• Your own recorded accompaniment for the singing portion of the audition. There will be speakers for an MP3 player or iPod/iPhone in the audition room. CDs are not permitted. A student assistant will be available to soundcheck and start the playback of each song. Your pieces may be performed in any order. There will not be a piano accompanist in the audition.

A student assistant will be available to soundcheck and start the playback of each song. Your pieces may be performed in any order. There will not be a piano accompanist in the audition.

Your résumé may include any of the following:

• Experience in acting, dance, singing, and all forms of instrumental music and cultural performances
• Non-performance experience, such as directing, choreography, songwriting, or playwriting
• Special skills such as spoken word, stand-up, drag, circus, dialects, rap, stage combat, etc.
• Previous training through master classes, workshops, after-school programs, or summer programs
• Participation in community activities, social justice initiatives, internships, or volunteer work