Important Audition Updates (12/15/20)

After great consideration, the Department of Theatre and Dance is moving all auditions to video submission followed by virtual appointment(s) with faculty on an audition weekend. We are saddened that we will not experience your audition in-person, but hope that the virtual appointment(s) with faculty will provide an opportunity to connect and learn more about the people who will guide your study at Samford.

In lieu of in-person auditions, we are excited to offer alternate visit opportunities to campus!

School of the Arts Music and Theatre Open House
Saturday, March 20, 2021

The Open House is for students admitted to a theatre or music program in the School of the Arts for Fall 2021. The day will include information sessions, interaction with current students and faculty, access to our facilities plus a popup performance or two. Registration will open in February and space will be limited.

Regular weekday visits to campus are encouraged through the Office of Admission. To learn more about Office of Admission Visit Programs and schedule a time in the School of the Arts while on campus. The School of the Arts offers one-on-one virtual information sessions and virtual faculty appointments by request. Schedule a Virtual Arts appointment.

Admission Process

In order to apply for admission to the Department of Theatre and Dance, undergraduate students must apply to Samford University through the Office of Admission and have declared a theatre major within the School of the Arts.

Admission to the Department of Theatre and Dance and consideration for the School of the Arts Scholarship requires a theatre application, an interview/audition and in some areas an interview.

  • Submit The Common Application or Samford University Application declaring a major within the Department of Theatre and Dance.
  • Access your Application Status Page where you will find the Theatre Application. You will make your audition request within the Theatre Application.
  • You must have a major within the Department of Theatre and Dance declared on your university application in order to see the Theatre Application on your checklist.
  • Review Audition Guidelines for your declared major.
  • ALL Musical Theatre applicants and Theatre for Youth applicants wishing to be considered for the voice intensive track must submit vocal prescreens by January 15. Acting and Dance prescreens are not required.
  • Submit your Theatre Application, containing your audition request, and receive confirmation of your audition weekend.
  • Locate your Arts Portfolio within your Application Status Page and upload all video submissions, headshot, arts resume and other supplemental materials to it.
  • Audition/interview appointment(s) with faculty are released approximately five days prior to your virtual audition weekend.

  • Upcoming Audition Weekends

    The Department of Theatre and Dance will host virtual audition weekend information sessions on scheduled audition dates. All video submissions will be required to partake in a virtual interview and direct back session with Theatre and Dance faculty during a scheduled audition weekend.

    • Jan. 29-30, 2021
    • Feb. 5-6, 2021
    • Feb. 26-27, 2021

Video Audition Requirements

All pre-screen recordings and audition video submissions must follow the following criteria.

Recording and editing

  • Each song and monologue file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly obeyed; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.)
  • Each piece should be recorded as a separate media file with no editing mid piece.
  • Sound should be as natural as possible and should not be manipulated with reverb, compression, auto-tune or any other enhancements.
  • 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.
  • Classical monologue 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.
  • Vocal auditions should be in “3/4” shot which means from the top of the head to the knees.
  • Dance submissions 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. All body movement should appear within the frame.

Slating

  • 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 show in which it appears.
  • The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.

Audition Requirements by Major

All prescreen and audition requirements by major are available in the Department of Theatre and Dance Audition Guidelines. If you have specific questions about auditions, please contact the Arts Recruiter at arts@samford.edu.