Bachelor's in Musical Theatre [Dance] (BFA)

All applicants to the BFA Musical Theatre program are required to submit pre-screen materials for review before they can be invited to a live virtual audition. Pre-screens are to be submitted through GetAcceptd.com beginning September 1st.

You may not submit your pre-screen materials until you have first submitted the Roosevelt University Undergraduate Application. The Pre-Screen deadline is December 1st, though earlier submission is highly recommended.

WE ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE COMMON MUSICAL THEATRE PRE-SCREEN:

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.

SLATE

• 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.
• The proper slate for a piece of dance is to share your name, the title of the song you are dancing to, and the name of the choreographer. If the piece is “self-choreographed” you should share your own name as choreographer.

SONGS

Students should prepare 2-contrasting pieces:

• One song should be a ballad, and one song should be an uptempo.
• One song should be written prior to 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.
• 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)
• Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible.

MONOLOGUE

• One 60-90 second contemporary monologue (written after 1950) from a published play. 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.
• Monologues must be from a published play. Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

DANCE

• All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
• Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.
• Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
• HELPFUL HINT: Applicants are encouraged to keep a full-length mirror behind the filming device so as to see themselves as they execute choreography.

REQUIREMENTS

• 30-60 seconds of dance, in whatever dance discipline you are most comfortable with: jazz, ballet, modern, African, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary.
• No barre work. A ballet solo is acceptable.
• No tap. For applicants that tap, consider showcasing that skill as part of your wild card submission.
• Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
• Dance media can be self-choreographed but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music; no “a cappella” dance media please.

BALLET OPTION

• Ballet Media should be no more than 60 seconds.
• Execute a brief series of plié, tendu and grande battement; and also pirouette en déhors (to both sides), and grand jeté across the floor.

WILD CARD VIDEO

• Wild Card submission is completely optional.
• Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
• This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”

Musical Theatre: Dance Concentration Live Audition

Students can audition in-person on campus, at New York or Chicago Unifieds OR in a virtual-live formal during our virtual audition weekend.

• One monologue from a contemporary play (not to exceed two minutes).
• One song selection: 32 bars of a song from the standard musical theatre repertoire. Do not bring more than 32 bars.
• Characters should be close to your age. All pieces should be performed from memory.
• *You must sing with recorded accompaniment.
• Musical Theatre: Dance Concentration applicants auditioning in-person will take part in a live dance call during their audition day. The dance call will last approximately 1 ½ hours and include a ballet portion and a jazz combination.
• Musical Theatre: Dance Concentration applicants auditioning virtually will receive three short combinations (ballet, jazz and tap) that they will be asked to learn, record and send back prior to their virtual-live audition.