Theater Audition Requirements

Please begin by introducing yourself, your pronouns (if you choose), and share with us why you are interested in attending Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Time limit: 1 minute.

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces. We would like you to prepare Option A from the Common Pre-Screen process:

• One song should be a ballad and one song should be an up-tempo
• One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the up-tempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first (can include jukebox musicals)
• 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 live or recorded accompaniment; no a cappella singing
• Songs should be filmed in a 3/4 shot, which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame

We would like you to prepare Option A from the Common Pre-Screen process:

• One 60–90 second contemporary monologue (written during the 20th Century–present) 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.
• The 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
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies
• Each monologue file should be 60–90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)

• You are invited to submit an additional video that reveals more information about your unique interests, skills, and personality. Students with dance training or experience (ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, salsa, South Asian, folk, swing, etc.) are especially encouraged to do so. “Wild card” examples may include playing an instrument, performing a self-written song or monologue, rap, acrobatics, stand up comedy, spoken word, magic, drag, impersonations, etc.
• Time limit: 1 minute.

Musical theater applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting monologues: one contemporary monologue (written after 1970) and one classical, spoken word, or verse monologue (any time period—Shakespeare, Greek drama, and Molière are welcomed as well as BIPOC and female-identifying playwrights or writers). You are welcomed to choose a character of any gender identification. In choosing your monologues, we recommend that you select material that reflects your own theatrical interests and values, that are active (not just narrative), and with characters close to your age. Your choice of material will help us get to know you as an actor. You will have three minutes to perform both monologues.

Musical theater applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting songs, one ballad and one up-tempo. At least one selection must be from the musical theater repertoire. The other selection may also be in the musical theater repertoire or may be in the pop/rock style. In choosing your material we recommend you:

• Select material that you enjoy performing and reflects your personality
• Select songs that showcase your unique vocal quality, phrasing, and lyric interpretation
• Select songs that express a character’s feelings and emotional life
• Avoid long instrumental introductions leading into songs
• Keep each song to two minutes, preferably 32 bars (a verse and a chorus)

Applicants must bring pre-recorded accompaniment (no CDs permitted). We will provide speakers and an auxiliary plug for your device. There will not be a CD player or piano available in the audition room. Again, a four-minute time limit for the total singing portion of the audition.

After your acting/singing audition, the audition panel will then ask you a few informal questions so we can get to know you better.

In-Person Auditions

Musical theater applicants will learn combinations in diverse musical theater styles, including ballet and jazz, in a 90-minute master class format. All levels of dance experience are welcome. Applicants should wear comfortable attire that allow for a freedom of movement such as:

• Unitard or leotard, dance pants or dance skirts
• Solid-colored shirt or tank top
• Yoga wear and/or athleisure
• Dance shoes (ballet slippers, character shoes, jazz shoes) are recommended. Sneakers will also be accepted. Tap shoes are not required.

Online Auditions

The dance call requires pre-recorded material and a live online component. Upon registering for an audition, applicants will be provided with videos of a ballet and jazz combination along with audio recordings of the music from these combinations. Applicants must prepare and upload videos of themselves performing these combinations 48 hours prior to the date of their online audition. If you have other styles or techniques of dance that you would like to share with us, you are invited to submit an additional dance video (one minute maximum). These forms may include tap, hip-hop, salsa, gymnastics, South Asian, folk, swing, Bollywood, Highland, circus arts, etc.

During the online audition, students will participate in an improv session with professor of theater Michelle Chassé, who will encourage you to show us what is unique about you.

If you are auditioning in person, please bring the following with you to your audition:

• Two copies of your filled out musical theater audition questionnaire (one for each panel)
• Two copies of your headshot and résumé (one for each panel)
• Your own recorded accompaniment for the singing portion of the audition. There will be speakers for an MP3 player or iPod/iPhone in the audition room. CDs are not permitted. A student assistant will be available to soundcheck and start the playback of each song. Your pieces may be performed in any order. There will not be a piano accompanist in the audition.

Your résumé may include any of the following:

• Experience in acting, dance, singing, and all forms of instrumental music and cultural performances
• Non-performance experience such as directing, choreography, songwriting, or playwriting
• Special skills such as spoken word, stand-up, drag, circus, dialects, rap, stage combat, etc.
• Previous training through master classes, workshops, after school programs, or summer programs
• Participation in community activities, social justice initiatives, internships, or volunteer work

Students are encouraged to audition live, whether in person or online. If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances and are unable to participate in an in-person or online audition, please contact bcb@berklee.edu to request a fully recorded audition, which will be considered carefully by the audition panel. The requirements for recorded auditions are the same as the live auditions. The recording must be in video format and satisfy all the requirements listed above under Live Audition Requirements.

Contemporary theater applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting contemporary monologues from plays written after 1970. We recommend monologues that are objective-driven with characters near your age range. Applicants should be familiar with the full play and ready to discuss it. Your selection should reflect your own theatrical interests and values and help us get to know you. You will have three minutes to present your monologues.

The ensemble portion of the audition is a participatory workshop session in collaborative theater making. Working in a small group, you will be guided through a series of  exercises, improvisations, and devising techniques by a faculty member. Please wear movement clothes (T-shirts, leggings, warm-up pants, etc.) for this portion of the audition. You will have the opportunity to change after your individual audition.

For online auditions, you are encouraged to create 30 seconds of creative, devised material with which to build in the ensemble workshop.

Following the individual and ensemble audition, each applicant will be interviewed privately by Conservatory faculty members. We would like to hear your ideas about theater and why you are interested in devising, ensemble-based training, physical theater, and attending Boston Conservatory at Berklee. We are also interested in learning more about your personal ambitions, causes, and artistic beliefs.

Please bring a photo (headshot preferred) and résumé to the audition. Because of the expansive focus of our program, you may include any of the following:

• Performance experience including acting, singing, spoken word, dance, rap, devising, etc.
• Special skills such as stand-up, martial arts, drag, circus, beatboxing, dialects, puppetry, stage combat, magic, etc.
• Musicianship (instrument or voice) and years of study
• Theater experience in directing, dance, choreography, playwriting, designing, tech and stage crew, etc.
• Artistic work or training in visual art, film and video, and creative writing
• Previous performance training such workshops, after school programs, festivals or summer programs
• Participation in social justice initiatives, advocacy, internships, or community volunteer work

We want to get to know your total creative self. Students who have interests in other forms of artistic expression (photography, visual art, video, music composition, dance) or any non-performance theater experience (writing, directing, design) are encouraged to share examples (a portfolio, a play, design sketches/photos, etc.). You may bring materials to the audition. These materials are not required for admission consideration.

Students are encouraged to audition live, whether in person or online. If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances and are unable to participate in an in-person or online audition, please contact bcb@berklee.edu to request a fully recorded audition, which will be considered carefully by the audition panel. 

If approved for a recorded audition, the requirements  are the same as the live auditions. The recording must be in video format and satisfy all the requirements listed above under Live Audition Requirements. This includes a recorded ensemble composition, an online monologue audition, and an online interview with Professor of Theater Theresa Lang. Recorded auditions for contemporary theater must be completed by February 15.