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Advanced Study in Drama |
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Arts Home |
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College Advisement Home |
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MKHS Home |
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| What's on this page |
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"All the world's a stage" . |
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| * DECIDE - do you want to be an actor? |
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| * SELECT a Degree: BA vs. BFA |
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ACTORS |
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| * Questions to Ask |
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* Is there anything else you could pursue that would make you happy? ( If you answer ;yes to this, you should probably consider not to follow a full-time drama program of study.)
* Are you aware that show business is really just that: a business? How will you feel about dealing with the business side of the entertainment industry?
* Have you taken acting classes: Singing? Movement? Improvisation?
* What is the background of your principal acting teacher? Director?
* Do you know your;type;?
* Do you memorize well? Quickly?
* Do you have the emotional fortitude to deal with the inevitable rejection that accompanies life in the Theater?
* Do you have the patience for the hours of memorizing and sometimes tedious rehearsals required of actors?
* What kind of acting are you interested in? Film? TV? Theater?
* Are you aware that real actor training is both physically and emotionally demanding?
* Are you willing to put in the dedication and concentration for the scope of training that will serve you best?
* Have you auditioned and been accepted to any competitive summer programs? All-State programs?
* Have you prepared the repertoire required for any auditions? |
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| * Drama Resumes |
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| * Drama Auditions |
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High school and college actors who have visions of stardom should be sure to take auditions to avoid living with regrets or the nagging ;What if; |
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Bachelor of Arts Versus Bachelor of Fine Arts |
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The essential difference between these two programs involves proportion in course work. In a Bachelor or Arts (B.A.) degree program, you will be expected to study a broad range of courses in the liberal arts and sciences and at some schools to fulfill distributions requirements. You might major in drama (called a theater major at some schools) and take a certain number of credit hours in this as your major, but the proportion of liberal arts to drama courses is tilted in the directions of the liberal arts. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program is more heavily weighted on the drama. |
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The B.F.A. program is for student who wants to focus immediately on specific theater skills. If you know, without a doubt, that you want to pursue your major in drama and that you want focus, a good B.F.A. program may be for you. Most B.F.A. programs, either at conservatories or at universities, do require an audition, even if you have been admitted into the main school. Prepare thoroughly for the audition. |
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For many people the distinct advantage to attending a liberal arts college and majoring in drama is two-fold. First, it is very common for students to change their major after their freshmen year in a B.A. program, and if you are locked into a B.F.A. program, it might be more difficult to make a change. Second, the breadth of learning in a wide range of subjects and a more diverse student body brings more experiences as future background material. |
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There is some debate among actors about the best training. Some believe that years of training provide a distinct advantage; others suggest relying on natural talent and instincts. There is a school of thought that feels that taking to many classes in acting make one become a professional student, rather than an actor. Another school of thought says you can never take too many classes in voice, acting, and movement, and that you should never stop studying. |
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Sample Drama Questions to Ask |
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* Do you require an audition? If so, what is required?
* What does the basic curriculum entail?
* What acting technique is taught?
* What is the philosophy of the program?
* Who are your resident directors?
* Who have been your recent directors of your productions?
* Do you have a program of Master Classes or guest speakers? Who has given these in the past two year? Did students have an opportunity to get to know the guests?
* What repertoire is performed?
* How many faculty members are working professionally in the theater world? How many have more of an academic background and approach?
* How many faculty members are there? Full time? Part-time? What is the student/faculty ratio?
* What is the enrollment in the Drama Department?
* How and when do you evaluate a student's progress? Do you have a ;cut; policy?
* How often do the students perform each semester? Which of the following types of performing opportunities are available and how frequently: full produced productions? Informal workshops? Workshops? In-school performances, off campus performances?
* Does the college have any relationship with a professional theater company or summer stock theater? If so, which one and what is the relationship?
* Are there any restrictions on first-year (freshmen) activities in the department? In Casting?
* What are the strengths and weakness of this program?
* Who are some renowned alumni?
* Is there any sort of alumni network? |
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Resumes for Drama Students |
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There is no singular prescribed format for drama resumes. Present your background and qualifications honestly. Knowing about your previous experience may be useful to the admissions committee, but how you handle the audition will count the most! |
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There is certain standard background information that should appear, however, including your name, address, phone, height, weight, hair and eye color, and voice range if you sing. Experience may be broken down into categories, education, including theater, musicals, summer stock, film, and television, high school or community productions, specialized training, gymnastics, etc. The resume should be no longer that two pages and should be attached to your head shot. |
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Head Shots are necessary. Choose it carefully as you will use it for two or three years before you update it. Be sure it looks like you. Nothing weird! Put your name on the front and back in case it becomes separated from your resume. |
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Drama Auditions |
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It is very important to submit applications well in advance of deadlines! You will be disqualified with a late application. Do not procrastinate in sending in your application. If possible, schedule your first-choice school as your second or third audition, not your first. Most drama auditions consist of presenting monologues of your choice from memory. Some programs may assign required monologues or ask you to improvise, sing a cappela, participate in a movement class, do a group drama activity or theater game, or possibly do a dance combination or a cold reading. Some may also ask you to write an essay while you are there for the audition. |
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Choosing just the right monologue is extremely important. Some programs will give you a list of suggested monologues: you need not choose something from the list, but consider it as a guideline as to the type of material the audition panel considers appropriate. Be sure to observe the time limit suggested, usually two monologues not to exceed a total of four minutes. Most often you are asked to present one monologue from the classical repertoire and one contemporary monologue of a contrasting nature. While looking through a book of monologues may be helpful, it is very important to know the whole play and the monologue in context. |
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In choosing your monologues, give some thought to your "type." Are you an ingenue? A character actor? What age range are you most comfortable playing? The best advice is to choose a monologue you are comfortable performing and that you can present with conviction. Remember, an audition is a performance! |
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Suggested books of monologues: |
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Jocelyn Beard has edited a number of books that can be obtained from Smith and Krus Publisher, Inc., Main Street, PO Box 10, Newbury, VT05051 (802-866-5423) |
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Applause Acting Series thru Applause Theater Book Publishers, 211 West 71st St.New York, NY10023 (212-495-7511) |
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Dress for drama auditions does seem to be more casual than for classical music auditions. Black seems to be the color for drama auditions: women in black dresses or leotards with a skirt or black pants and a black turtleneck, and men in black pants and turtlenecks. The bottom line is to dress comfortably so that you can move freely, and yet nicely to indicate respect for the situation. No short skirts, jackets, ties , or sweat suits! Since an actor?s body is his/her instrument, it is important to wear something that gives some indication of what shape you are in. You should also inquire if there is a required movement class, also, and bring appropriate attire for that. |
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Before you audition it is important to know exactly what will be expected of you at the audition. Will you have to write an essay while you are there for the audition? Does the audition schedule involve callbacks? Be sure to ask enough questions so that you know what to bring with you and what to expect. |
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The best way to prepare for an audition is to practice often in a mock situation several months in advance and videotape yourself. Ask family and friends to critique your performance on tape. Do this repeatedly until you feel confident and totally comfortable with your presentation. Prepare yourself mentally so that you go to every audition with a positive attitude, expecting success. |
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Regional Auditions are very popular. Faculty and administrators treat these auditions as being as valid as on campus auditions. It is imperative that you submit you application early, before all audition openings are booked. A live audition is always better than a video. You are not helping your chances for admissions by not appearing in person. |
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Remember, to breathe, to relax think of the panel as an audience, not judges! They want you to succeed |
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What Not to do at a Drama Audition |
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* Do not stand to close to the audition panel.
* Do not even think of changing costumes between monologues!
* Do not drag in props or set pieces. A piece of paper for a letter scene may be fine, but anything beyond that is not appropriate. Most places will have a chair or two and a table to use as props if you need them
* Never leave the room during an audition! There have been humorous, yet sad, stories about applicants who either wanted to make an entrance or exit, in character, for their monologue and walked out of the room, only to discover that the door would not open again. Applicants who think they may need water may bring a plastic cup in with them to the audition. Also, at the end of the audition, do not leave until the panel invites you to go.
* Do no try to play something other than the core of the part. Play the character and do not get caught in the language.
* Do not just learn the monologue. Read the entire play and know the context of the play.
* Do not get up on the audition table.
* Do not use the audition panel as your scene partners. It is better to play slightly above their heads.
* Do not throw things around the room.
* Do not take too long with your "actor focus moment."
* Do not tell you life story when asked a simple question. |
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