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Drama: Audition Information for Perspective Students

Important Dates

Pre-audition Workshop January 20, 2001: 9 or 10 AM (lasts 1 hour)
Audition Dates February 3, 2001 (Middle School)
February 10, 2001 (High School)

The Audition

After you submit your application, you will receive an audition date and time in the mail. Students are scheduled in groups of six for each one-hour audition time. The audition will last approximately 60 minutes. Come 15-20 minutes prior to your audition time so that you have adequate time to relax and compose yourself in advance of your audition. We will not accommodate tardiness. If you are late for your audition, you lose your spot. You will be evaluated by three judges: one of the Drama faculty members at DSA and two working professionals active in the Denver Theater Community.

Students who audition for the Drama Department at DSA are required to:

  1. Create and submit a one-page photo/resume.
  2. Create and submit a portfolio.
  3. Write the required essay.
  4. Perform a prepared, memorized 1-2 minute monologue from a published play or monologue book.
  5. Perform a solo and a duet improvisational exercise.
  6. Participate in a brief interview.

Please follow these guidelines for each section:

1) Photo/Resume: The photo can be either a standard 8x10 headshot or a current snapshot that closely resembles you on the day of your audition. Please staple the photo and resume back to back. The resume should be ONLY ONE PAGE, well-organized and presented in as professional a manner as possible. The resume has 4-5 sections.

  • Section 1: Name, address, telephone number(s) and any other pertinent contact information.
  • Section 2: Education - both academic education and artistic education. Academic education should include what schools you have attended and what grade level you have achieved. Artistic education includes any drama, singing or dancing classes or private lessons in these areas. It also includes visiting artists you have seen and/or master classes or workshops. For arts education, include specific information like the names and locations of the schools and/or the teachers.
  • Section 3: Performance Experience: Please list all performance experience. Be sure to include

    a) the title of the show, concert, recital or event
    b) your role in the show, concert, recital or event, and
    c) where it was produced.

  • Section 4: Awards Received. Please list any awards you have received and what organization awarded it to you.
  • Section 5: (optional) Special Skills. This section can be included if you have any special skills such as singing or playing musical instruments, dancing or gymnastics, sports or entertaining "stupid human tricks" (like on David Letterman).

2) Portfolio: The portfolio is an essential part of a DSA student's life and of any disciplined artist. It is an expansion of your resume and provides evidence and history of your artistic career. It is bound in a three ring binder and should be organized and presented professionally.

Order

  • Photo and Title Page
  • Resume
  • Essay
  • Letters of Recommendation (from teachers, principals, directors, clergy, etc.)
  • Awards received (in any field)
  • Work in Theater (records of work and training in theater - programs, reviews, press, photos, process papers, etc.)
  • Other Creative work (examples of your creations in any field of art)

3) Essay: We prefer that the required essay be handwritten with minimal guidance and editing from your parents. We are looking at you as a young artist and want to know your thoughts and ideas. Please title the essay "I want to attend Denver School of the Arts because…" Also, in the essay, identify a role model in your chosen art form and explain why he/she is selected.

4) Monologue: Please perform a 1-2 minute prepared, memorized monologue from a published play or monologue book. Please provide the judges with one (1) copy of the text of the monologue you are performing. A note about the monologue: We are looking for students who understand what your character is saying and are trying their best to think and feel what your character should be thinking and feeling. We are also looking for a good energy level-not necessarily high or big energy-but a level of energy which is a result of an investment and commitment to what you are saying/doing. Please avoid costumes or props as they are distracting. We will provide a chair and a stool should you desire either.

5) Improvisational Exercises: Students will create a solo and duet improvisation. For the solo improv, students will be given a prop, will have a 30 seconds to prepare privately and will present their improv on stage for 1 minute. For the duet improv, students will be paired with a partner. Each will be given a character description and objective. They will have 30 seconds to prepare privately and 2 minutes to perform together on stage.

6) Auditioners may ask you some questions during the audition process. They might relate to your resume, portfolio, performance during the audition or your past experiences in theater or in life.

Day of the Audition

Parents, please help your child to:

  • Prepare adequately for the audition.
  • Get a good night's sleep the night before the audition.
  • Eat a good breakfast the day of the audition.
  • Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled time. Allow for traffic.
  • Wear appropriate audition attire. Please have them dress nicely and comfortably.

Post-Audition Notification

A letter in the mail will notify you in early April about your acceptance, rejection or alternate status to DSA. Please do not call the department.

Drama Department Mission Statement

The Drama program of the Denver School of the Arts endeavors to provide students with a Middle/High School Theater Arts training program of the highest quality. To achieve this goal, the program educates using a comprehensive "process-oriented" curriculum, which emphasizes the process by which we learn and grow as actors through a balance of theater academics and studio work. This body of work evolves into performances for audiences. Students benefit from the instruction of both DSA faculty and a variety of visiting artists. Finally the program seeks to instill its students with the discipline, work ethic and compassion required in the creative process in order to help them develop into great artists and great citizens.

 


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