Theatre Arts

Students auditioning for the Theatre Arts Department must participate in a two-day, multi-part audition to be considered for placement. Applicants should bring a current photo/headshot (snapshot, school photo or high quality photocopy of a photo) with their name written on back and wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement (sweatshirt and sweatpants are best).

On Audition Day 1 students must participate in :

Parent/Guardian/Student Meeting (Saturday, 8 am): Auditioning students and at least one parent/guardian must attend this 45 minutes meeting to discuss the audition/admission process, placement and advancement, and goals of the SOTA Theatre Department.

Monologue Presentation: Students will present a memorized, contemporary monologue no longer than two minutes in length for the department head and artists-in-residence.

Cold Reading: Students will be expected to deliver a short "cold reading" from a monologue selected by the audition committee. This portion of the audition will demonstrate a student's ability to sight read a dramatic selection and requires no home preparation.

Short Interview: Students will have a short informal interview with the audition committee.

On Audition Day 2 students must participate in:

Acting Workshop (Sunday, 11 am): Students must participate in a 3-hour group class intended to demonstrate their work habits, mental focus, physical endurance, willingness to try and the ability to work as a team.

Writing Assignment: Students will be asked to write a one or two page personal reflection/observations essay about their audition experience.

Auditioning Juniors and Seniors* must:

Participate in the audition activities above.

Present a Shakespeare monologue (memorized), approximately 20 lines.

Present a typed resume (standard professional format) including all parts and performances at the time of their audition.

*Juniors and seniors are considered if space is available and are encouraged to apply.

Finding a Monologue: A good selection of monologue books are available at libraries, bookstores and on-line. Below is a short and selective list of monologue books available and currently used in our program:

Beard, Jocelyn (1991 to 2001) or Lepidus, D.L. (2001 50 2008) (eds.), Smith & Kraus (S&K) Publisher. The Best Mens'/Women's Stage Monologues of 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, etc.

One Hundred Men's/Women's Stage Monologues From the 1980's. Harbison, Lawrence (ed.), Smith & Krause (S&K) Publisher. 2009.

The Best Men's/Women's Stage Monogues and Scense. First year combining S&K scene and monologue collections. Cohen, Lorraine (ed.).

Monologues for Young Actors. Avon Books, 1994. Earley, Michael and Philippa Keil (eds.).

The Contemporary Monologue: Men/Women.

The Modern Monologue: Men/Women. Routledge.

Solo! The Best Monologues of the 80's. (Men) (Women). Applause Books, Ellis Roger (ed.).

Multicultural Theatre, Scenes & Monologues from new Hispanic, Asian, and African-American plays. Meriwether Publishing. 1996.

Emerson, Robert and Jane Grumback (eds.). Monologues for Young Actors.

Monologues: Men (1). Monllogues. Monologues: Men 2. Monologues: Men 3.

Monologues: Women (1). Monlogues: Women 2. Monlogues: Women 3.

King, Woodie, Jr. (ed.). Voices of Color. Applause Books. 1994.

Marlow, Jean (ed.). Actresses'/Actors' Audition Speeches: For all ages and accents. Heinemann.

Shengold, Nina (ed.). The Actor's Book of Contemporary Stage Monologues.

Shengold, Nina (ed.) & Eric Lane (eds.). Moving Parts: Monologues From Contemporary Plays.

Slaight, Craig and Jack Sharrar (eds.). Great Monologues for Young Actors (Vol. 1,2 & 3)

Multicultural Monologues for Young Actors, Smith and Kraus.

Temchin, Jack (ed.). One on One: The Best Men's/Women's Monologues for the Nineties. Applause Books.

Helpful Audition Hints: Monologues are not recitations or story telling; they are dialogues where the other characters do not speak. Create a COMPLETE character and the other character(s) you are talking to in the monologue. See, listen and react to the other person(s) in the piece. Select a contemporary monologue form a character to which you can relate, within your age range. Do not choose monologues of actual historical speeches from novels, poems and movies, or monologues you have written yourself. Use your natural voice; do not attempt an accent.

Advise for the Presentation: Stay within the two-minute limit. (The time will start after you introduction.) Time will be called if the student exceeds the two minutes. Introduce yourself and your audition monologue.

The Introduction includes:

1. Your name
2. The play title
3. The play's author
4. Your character's name (and nothing else)

Memorize the Monologue thoroughly. Don't be a slave to the script. Acting is not just memorizing words! Be the character. Don't drop out of character. Don't say "Sorry" if you do. Don't ask whether you may start again; just start again if you need to.

Talk to the other character(s) in the scene. Place the other character(s) in front of you. Avoid turning or talking too far to the side. Avoid the use of any actual person in the audition room as the character you are talking to. Dress in simple non-obtrusive clothing.

Have your hands free (uncovered) for gesturing. Costumes are not recommended. Establish a strong and believable locale (place, setting). Do not sit during the monologue. You may not use any furniture, including chairs, or set pieces. Small hand props should only be used if required by the monologue.

Demonstrate appropriate movement for your character. Move with purpose; wandering and shuffling detract from your character's intent. Speak clearly; play your character with honesty and motivation; enjoy the moment. Warm-up your voice and body before your audition; this helps to reduce nervousness.

About the Theatre Department

SOTA Theatre Arts is a pre-professional environment that focuses on four years of training in movement, voice, characterization and other aspects of theatre such as playwriting, Shakespeare studies, monologue preparation, and directing. SOTA theatre students grow and flouris in a rigorous, supportive environment that requires dedication, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility. SOTA theatre students will showcase their training in a series of public performances and brown bag showcases, with further opportunities to participate in school-wide events such as the school musical, video productions and informal performances.