BFA Auditions/Interviews: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

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Fall BFA Auditions

Application Deadline: Nov. 13, 2020

Live Auditions

Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 (Dance and Musical Theatre Only)
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 (All Disciplines Except Dance)
- *To be considered for a merit scholarship, you must complete a Fall Audition.

Spring BFA Auditions

Application Deadline: March 19, 2021

Live Auditions

Friday, March 26, 2021 (Dance and Musical Theatre Only)
Saturday, March 27, 2021 (All Disciplines Except Dance)

Live auditions must be scheduled through Acceptd. Visit our landing page to start your application.

All live auditions are held at the NKU-SOTA Fine Arts Center

Video Auditions may be submitted through Acceptd as well.

Any student admitted to NKU may declare the Theatre and Dance Bachelor of Arts degree as a major. For those wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Theatre and Dance Program offers B.F.A. degrees with tracks in Acting, Dance, Theatre Design or Technology, Musical Theatre, Playwriting, and Stage Management.

It is helpful for students to demonstrate as much versatility as possible within the audition/interview. While we do not expect candidates to be polished theatre artists, we are eager to explore each applicant’s potential as a future theatre student.

Scholarships

All Academic Scholarship (including GSA and GSP) are handled by the admissions and financial aid offices. All talent scholarship are handled by the Theatre and Dance Program. Candidates attending the Fall live/video auditions will be considered for talent scholarships. Scholarship award letters resulting from the Fall Auditions will be mailed by Jan. 15, 2020. You will only be notified if you are awarded a scholarship.

Audition Contact

Jamey Strawn, BFA Auditions Coordinator
strawnj@nku.edu
(859) 572-6917

FA 205 Nunn Drive
NKU SOTA Theatre & Dance Program
Highland Heights, KY 41099

BFA Audition Requirements

Performers: please choose material in your own age and type range which best reveals your specific strengths and individuality. Auditions will be timed and stopped if they exceed limits.

Designers/Technicians/Stage Managers: please notify us ahead of time if you need computer/projection equipment for your presentation. A windows laptop, projector, and screen will be provided.

Acting

Two contrasting monologues not to exceed 60 seconds each.
Interview.

Note: Please make sure monologues are appropriate for your type, have a strong beginning, middle, and end, do not contain inappropriate content, and more important of all, that the monologues reflect you as a person and artist. Acting candidates can expect to spend between 30 to 60 minutes on campus for the audition process.

Musical Theatre

One 32-bar selection of a musical theatre song of the student’s choice. The faculty MAY ask you to perform an additional 16-bar selection of an additional song in a contrasting style. A professional accompanist will be provided.
One monologue not to exceed 60 seconds.
Dance Audition (small group combination to be learned before or after initial audition/interview – dance clothes and shoes recommended).

Note: Clean sheet music copies in the correct keys required – no a cappella singing or recorded accompaniment permitted. Please make materials are appropriate for your type, have a strong beginning, middle, and end, do not contain inappropriate content, and more important of all, that the materials reflect you as a person and artist. Musical Theatre candidates can expect to spend between 60 to 120 minutes on campus for the audition process.

Dance

Participation in a Technique Class taught by the Dance BFA program coordinator at the beginning of the day. (45-60 min.)
Solo dance (60 second minimum, 2 minute maximum). Dance should include extensions, multiple turns, leaps, and jumps. CD player provided as well as an auxiliary cable if you use an iPod or smartphone, however we ask that you please bring music on a CD as well as have a backup copy. Dance attire required.
Interview.

Note: Dance candidates can expect to spend between 60 to 120 minutes on campus for the audition process.

Designers/Technicians/Stage Managers

Presentation of support materials for area of interest, i.e. portfolio, drawings, renderings, photographs, designs, models, prompt scripts, concept narratives, etc.
Interview.

Note: Design or Technology and Stage Management candidates can expect to spend between 30 to 60 minutes on campus for the audition process.

Playwrights

Representative dramatic writing sample, to be presented with application (this need not be an entire script – scenes or excerpts are acceptable).
Interview.

Note: Playwriting candidates can expect to spend between 30 to 60 minutes on campus for the audition process.

FAQs

What type of clothing should I wear to the audition?

Please wear appropriate audition/interview attire for your discipline. This includes neat, comfortable clothing which fits well and represents you as a professional artist. It is recommended that you bring movement dance clothes to change into when learning the dance combination or movement piece.

Where will auditions be held?

Auditions will be held in the Fine Arts Center on NKU’s main campus. View a map of campus, and driving directions.

Once arriving, you will be asked to sign in and then be escorted to a designated venue. Parents will be escorted to a waiting area.

Where should I park?

All guests of the university that are attending auditions on FRIDAY must use the Welcome Center Garage. You will be given a voucher to exit the garage for free. All guests attending auditions on Saturday may park in either Lot D or Lot I.

Map of campus

When will I know the results of my audition/interview?

Letters containing the candidate’s status will be posted via Acceptd within two weeks of the audition date. Successful candidates are required to declare their intentions via Acceptd no later than May 1, 2021.