Theatre & Dance Audition Requirements
Theatre & Dance Audition Requirements
Theatre & Dance Audition Information
Rowan's Department of Theatre & Dance is a cutting-edge program that encourages innovative, creative, and independent artists. We promote intensive cross-disciplinary studies among performance forms. Therefore, we will be looking at your openness towards collaboration and your willingness to work outside your comfort zone during the admission, audition and interview process.
2023-2024 Theatre & Dance Audition Days
Saturday, November 11th, 2023 - MARCA
Sunday, December 3rd, 2023
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Sunday, February 18th, 2024
Saturday, March 23rd, 2024
Saturday, April 6th, 2024
All new applicants are required to sign up for an audition day during the Rowan University application process. Please reach out with any audition-related questions by emailing theatredance@rowan.edu
Current Rowan University Students (Adding/Changing Major or Adding Concentration)
If you are interested in adding, changing your major, adding a concentration please click here to access the audition form to schedule your audition. If you pass your audition, you will need to follow the University's process for adding or changing your major.
On-Campus Audition Requirements
What to Expect
The Theatre & Dance faculty strive for a balance of fun and informational exchanges. The day begins with a Q&A session, followed by a group creation activity with fellow applicants and an informational session for your family/guests. The day ends with Theatre applicants presenting prepared audition materials and meeting with Theatre faculty and Dance applicants participating in a dance workshop and meeting with Dance faculty.
Come dressed in clothes you can move in and ready to create and collaborate!
What to Prepare
All Theatre & Dance applicants will participate in a collaborative devising exercise explained to the group on audition day. Be prepared to work with a small ensemble made of other prospective students and members of the Theatre & Dance Department.
*All students will participate in a collaborative Devising Exercise (to be explained on audition day)
What to Submit Online
- Current resume detailing theatre and dance experience
- Recent Picture / Headshot
- Portfolio (Directing, Design & Tech only)
Dance
- Students are not requred to prepare any material in advance.
- All Dance applicants will participate in a dance workshop with Dance faculty and staff. The workshop begins with an improvisation warm-up and exploration of spontaneous composition and performance, along with a series of codified dance technique sequences with opportunities for creating short dance compositions. The dance workshop will have musical accompaniment.
- Prospective students should wear appropriate dance attire (leotard and footless tights or leggings). No specific footwear required.
- At the conclusion of the workshop, each student will speak with Dance faculty. Students should be prepared to speak about why they want to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Rowan.
Theatre (Acting Concentration)
- Students should prepare two contrasting monologues from published plays. Pieces may contrast in style, tone, emotional range or character and should exhibit your range of skills and ability.
- The total time for introduction and both pieces shoulld not exceed 3 minutes
Theatre (Design & Tech Concentration)
Students should:
- Create an online portfolio that includes:
- A current resume
- Images and a brief description of examples of your work;
- Examples could include images of sets you helped create, renderings & drafting, videos and or sound clips,selections from a prompt book. Anything that supports your story
- Upload portfolio to Digital Submission section found on Application Checklist for incoming students or link provided
- Prepare for an interview with Faculty
- Discuss why you are interested in continuing your training in Design Tech. What do you wish to accomplish while in the Bachelor of Art program at Rowan
- Interview with the Faculty from the Design Technology Program
- Be prepared to review your portfolio
- Discuss why you are interested in continuing your training in Design Tech.
- What do you wish to accomplish while in the B.A. program at Rowan.
For questions specific to this concentration or tips on creating the portfolio, email Tom Fusco at Fusco@rowan.edu or click here for a video with tips.
Theatre (Directing Concentration)
Students should:
- Complete all requirements listed under "Theatre (Acting Concentration)"
- Prepare for the "Tabletop Directing Scene" where the student is the manipulator of a theatrical even
- Applicants will be provided with a one (1) standard tabletop (6ft long).
- On top of the table only, you may have any objects you desire. You can move them during lights up or lights out.
- There will be an option of a maximum of 6 "blackouts" (faculty close their eyes) and 6 "lights up"
- No text is allowed.
Remember, directing is an art used to express things that words cannot. The Structural Challenge is to keep the piece "off balance" in terms of space and time.
Theatre (Musical Theatre Concentration)
Students should:
- Prepare 16 bars max of singing from a pre-1960 classic musical*
- Prepare 16 bars max of singing from a post-1960 musical or popular song
- Prepare A one (1) minute dramatic monologue
- Bring their own sheet music. A live pianist is provided. Recorded music is not permitted.
- Limit their introduction to name, music and play titles and authors.
- Choose material that fits their range
*Pieces may contrast in style, tone, or character and should exhibit your range of skills and ability.
Theatre (Theatre Education Concentration)
Students should:
- Follow instructions from any of the discipline-specific audition requirements (Acting, Musical Theatre, Design Tech)
- Be prepared to meet with faculty to discuss your commitment to theater education