Department of Theatre & Dance

 

The Audition Process for the BFA Musical Theatre Program

Students may audition only after they have applied and have been accepted to Millikin University. The Millikin University Application for Admission is online

To be admitted into the B.F.A. program in Musical Theatre, you must audition.
Performance auditions are held on Mondays and Fridays on the dates listed below. The process begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes until 1:00 p.m. There are a limited number of audition spaces available for each day, so please arrange for your audition as soon as possible, and at least one week in advance. Auditions cannot be scheduled until a student has been accepted for admission by Millikin University.

To arrange a date for your audition, please contact Mary Spencer, audition coordinator of the Department of Theatre and Dance. Her e-mail is mspencer@millikin.edu. Or you may call the department at (217) 424-6282 or toll free (800) 373-7733.

Audition appointment may be made for:

For your audition, you should prepare pieces which highlight your strengths as a performer. Specific requirements include:

• One memorized contemporary (written since 1960) monologue, from a published play or musical, no longer than 30 seconds to one minute in length. Character should be close to your own age and with no dialect of any kind. Do not perform solo pieces that are more appropriate for Speech Team competitions.
    
• Two memorized songs (one written before 1960, one after 1960), each about 16 bars in length. Both songs must be from Broadway literature and contrasting in style, i.e., up-tempo and ballad. (Do not choose songs written by Jason Robert Brown or Stephen Sondheim). Please bring sheet music in the proper key -- no recorded music will be permitted. An accompanist will be provided.
    
• A short ballet combination (approximately 30 seconds in length) will be taught and performed to assess your potential dance abilities. The dance portion of the audition will run approximately half an hour.

Your audition day will consist of three important components:

• Check in -- Upon arrival on campus you will need to check in with the audition coordinator in the Theatre and Dance office, located in Shilling Hall, Room 211.
  
• Warm up and Audition -- After check-in, you will be escorted to your audition location. Your audition will begin by learning a ballet combination (please wear clothing appropriate for dance: leotards and tights or sweat pants). This portion of the audition is learned and performed as a group for the Head of the Dance Program. The ballet combination will help us to evaluate your current level of technical ability and allow us to place you in the proper level of dance class if you are accepted into the B.F.A. program. The combination is taught by one of our advanced level ballet students who will help to guide you through the process and dance with the group during your audition.
  
  You will then meet with our faculty accompanist to sing through each of your songs to set tempos and to become familiar with the acoustics of the room. While you should know the entire song, we ask that you limit each of your selections to 16 bars. Your music must be in the proper key and no pre-recorded accompaniment will be permitted. Once everyone has met with the accompanist, songs and monologues will be performed for our faculty audition team. The material may be performed in any order you choose.
  
  
• Exit Interview -- Following your audition, you will meet with a member of the audition team and/or the department chair to discuss your audition and the degree program to which you have been admitted, as well as to answer any specific questions you or your parents have regarding the degree program.
  
  Optional: After the interview, we invite you and your parents to have lunch with some of the theatre performance majors who have been escorting you through your audition process. They are the prime resource for information on what it is like to be a student at Millikin. They can answer many questions about student life, living in the residence halls, and campus experiences and activities.

The audition team is made up of faculty members who teach in the areas of music, dance and acting. Based on your audition performance, they will place you into the degree program that best suits your abilities.

Your parents/guardians are encouraged to come to campus with you. While they will not be able to listen to your audition, they will have an opportunity to get acquainted with Millikin and have many of their questions answered with you in the Exit Interview.

To make the most of your campus visit, we also recommend making appointments with the Admissions and Student Service Center offices. They can arrange a campus tour, lunch and dinner on campus, and with a week's notice, even an overnight stay either before or after your audition. You are also welcome to attend classes, athletic events or performances.

Talent Awards are monetary awards given to students who show significant talent and potential based on the audition. These awards are recommendations only. Financial aid packages are not determined by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Talent awards become part of a larger financial aid package offered by the Student Service Center at Millikin

Please also read our Frequently Asked Questions page concerning auditions for further information.

Other Degree Programs

• BA Theatre
• BFA Acting
• BFA Design/Technical
• BFA Stage Management
• BFA Theatre Administration
• Theatre Minor
• Dance Minor