Acting
Applicants to the School of Drama's Acting Option must fulfill the pre-screening, then the audition requirement, which is the main basis for admission to the program.
All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting Options should submit a pre-screening for the Music Theater Option. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs.
Acceptd has gathered some Tips & Tricks in putting together your pre-screening videos which can be found
here under "MTCP Resources & Tips for Applicants" near the bottom of the page.
PRE-SCREENING GUIDELINES:
Visit
Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:
Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience and community service.
Headshot
Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
There should not be a separate "slate" video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
PRE-SCREENING MONOLOGUES
Two (2) contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below)
One (1) Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
One (1) Classical (written before 1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame.
Pre-Screenings are required for Acting.
You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins.”
AUDITION GUIDELINES:
Perform two, contrasting monologues. These can be the same as your pre-screening monologues or different.
One classical monologue from a play written before 1950 with an emphasis on heightened language.
One contemporary piece written after 1950.
Each monologue should be 60-90 seconds in length.
Each monologue should be within your natural age range (teens and 20s).
Be sure to read the entire play the monologue is excerpted from so you are able to demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
You may use hand props, but not costumes.
Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.
Music Theater
Applicants to the School of Drama's Music Theater Option must fulfill the pre-screening, then the audition requirement, which is the main basis for admission to the program.
All applicants interested in auditioning for both the Music Theater and Acting Options should submit a pre-screeing for the Music Theater Option. This one pre-screening will be sufficient to address the needs and requirements of both programs. We participate in the
Musical Theater Common Pre-Screen Requirements for songs and monologues. We do not accept the Wildcard or Dance pre-screening selections.
Acceptd has gathered some Tips & Tricks in putting together your pre-screening videos which can be found
here under "MTCP Resources & Tips for Applicants" near the bottom of the page.
PRE-SCREENING GUIDELINES:
Visit
Acceptd to upload the following between SEPTEMBER 1 and DECEMBER 1:
Resume including any training and experience in theater, film, music and dance as well as academic achievements, work experience and community service.
Headshot
Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
There should not be a separate "slate" video, rather slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the title, and the show in which it appears. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
PRE-SCREENING MONOLOGUES
Monologues must be from a published play
Monologues cannot be from musicals
Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
Musical Theater Common Prescreening Monologues OPTION B:
Two (2) contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below)
One (1) Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
One (1) Classical (written before 1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame.
Pre-Screenings are required for Acting.
You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins".
PRE-SCREENING SONGS
Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces: One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo..
Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
Musical Theater Common Prescreening Songs OPTION A:
One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student's choice).
One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
Pre-Screenings are required for Music Theater.
You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to audition. The School of Drama will release the modality and schedule for invited auditions by November 1. If you are invited, you will register for your audition at getacceptd.com/cmudrama. We cannot accommodate “walk-ins".
AUDITION GUIDELINES
Perform two, contrasting monologues. These can be the same as your pre-screening monologues or different.
One classical monologue from a play written before 1950 with an emphasis on heightened language.
One contemporary piece written after 1950.
Each monologue should be 60-90 seconds in length.
Each monologue should be within your natural age range (teens and 20s).
Be sure to read the entire play the monologue is excerpted from so you are able to demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation.
You may use hand props, but not costumes.
Be prepared to perform a third monologue if asked.
In addition to the monologue requirements, you must perform two contrasting songs approximately one minute in length.
One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student's choice).
One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
Students who register for an in-person audition will participate in a movement audition that day. Students who register for a virtual audition will receive a follow-up communication regarding movement auditions after their initial auditions. All details regarding the movement portions will be emailed through Acceptd to auditioning applicants approximately one week prior to the audition.
Design / Production Technology & Management
Applicants to Design and Production Technology & Management programs must have some practical experience in theater and be able to demonstrate basic proficiency in design, project planning and execution by submitting a portfolio for pre-screening review. The portfolio should include about 15 items of work in several media and techniques as well as a resume or CV. Not all samples of work have to pertain to theater.
Pre-screening portfolios are required for Design/Production. You must complete this pre-screening process in order to be invited to a live virtual interview. Watch
this video for tips and tricks on assembling your portfolio!
INTERVIEW GUIDELINES
Provide 15 examples of work which could include:
Use of color, line drawing, painting
Drafting, mechanical drawing
Photography, including photographs of your productions
Models, costume pieces, masks
Sculpture or installation art
Sound cues or recordings containing original recordings or music (no more than five and no more than one minute in length each)
Video or media files containing original work (no more than five and no more than two minutes in length each)
Plots, ground plans, elevations and other production paperwork you may have produced for a show
Paperwork developed for schedules, reports, budgets, estimates, etc.
Photos of work both finished and in process
Dramaturgy
The Dramaturgy program provides a rigorous academic and artistic training sequence, emphasizing criticism, history, and practical skills. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary research and writing skills to succeed in this environment. The following items should be submitted to
drama-relations@andrew.cmu.edu in PDF form with your name and Common Application ID number by DECEMBER 1:
- Resumé or curriculum vitae
- A brief (less than 750 word) letter that addresses the question: "Why are you interested in studying dramaturgy, and what experience do you bring to the area of study?"
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from sources familiar with your research and writing skills. Please note letters of recommendation should be submitted with your Common Application.
- Two (2) samples of original argumentative writing that are approximately 1,000 words each. These writing samples should demonstrate your ability to use evidence to support a thesis: e.g., an analysis of a work of literature or art or of an event in history. You should feel free to submit work that was written for a recent high school- or college-level humanities course.
- There is no in-person interview required, but the School of Drama faculty may contact applicants via phone or email to obtain further information after January 18.
The John Wells Directing Program
Applicants to the School of Drama Undergraduate John Wells Directing Program must submit an application that includes an audition, statement and portfolio, and a virtual interview process. These requirements are the main basis for admission.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Submit an audition video:
1 monologue
Either a classical monologue from a play written before 1900 with an emphasis on heightened language or a contemporary piece written in the 20th or 21st century
The monologue should be no longer than one minute
The monologue should be within your natural age range
Be sure to read the entire play from which the monologue is excerpted so that you can demonstrate an understanding of the character and situation
You may use hand props, but not costumes
Submit a statement that:
Describes why you are pursuing this line of study
Explains your choice of monologue
Includes a critical analysis of the play from which the monologue is excerpted
Submit evidence of your creative life including:
Scripts you have written
Production photographs from shows that you have directed
Examples of creative writing
Creative expression including: photography, painting, drawing, etc.
The virtual interview will assess your drive, maturity, vision and aptitude for Directing.
