Rowan's Department of Theatre and 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.

Steps:

1. Apply: Apply to Rowan University.  (We can make acceptance offers only when your application is complete.) https://admissions.rowan.edu/admissions-process/

2. Register: Visit this link to register for a Theater and Dance audition or interview: 

College of Performing Arts Theater and Dance Audition Page

3. Submit: Upon completing registration you will be sent a confirmation with a link to a personal google drive folder where you can upload your materials.

• Students will submit an auditions/portfolio file and MAY be contacted for an additional interview.  Requirements below.   
• Recent photo;
• resume listing your theater and related experience.
• Note: If you are interested in auditioning for both Theatre and Dance Majors (double major) or multiple Theatre Concentrations you will need to note your intention on the registration form and submit audition recording files that meet all requirements. Material such as acting monologues or dance clips may be used for multiple submissions if the audition files meet the required criteria for the Majors and/or Concentrations.

4. Interview / Callback: 

Interview Day Schedule 

• 10am - Welcome Gathering
• 11am - Student Breakout Groups 
• 11:10 - Family Q & A Breakout
• NOON - 3pm - Individual Appointment Times

ONLINE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

Theater: Acting  

• 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 should not exceed 3 minutes maximum.

Click here for a video with tips.

Theater: Musical Theater

• 16 bars of singing from a pre-1960 classic musical AND
• 16 bars of singing from a post-1960 musical or popular song AND
• A one-minute dramatic monologue
• Optional - one minute dance clip:
  • This is open to some interpretation and flexibility. Students could demonstrate skills in tap, jazz, modern, improvisation, or musical theatre. The student must be clearly featured. Music is not required but often helpful. 

Note: Pieces may contrast in style, tone, or character and should exhibit your range of skills and ability. Choose material that fits your range. Limit your introduction to your name, music and play titles, and authors. 

Design and Technology Program:

• Create a online portfolio of your work which includes:
  • A current resume; 
  • Images and a brief description of examples of your work;
    • Examples could include images of sets you helped create, renderings & draftings, videos and or sound clips,selections from a prompt book. Anything that supports your story.
  • Using the link provided upload your portfolio.
• 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.
• Please feel free to contact Tom at Fusco@rowan.edu with any questions or for tips on creating the portfolio.

 Click here for a video with tips

Theater: Theater Education

• Perspective theater educators will follow instructions on ANY ONE of the above discipline-specific audition requirements. 
• Also, be prepared to discuss your commitment to theater education. 

Dance Major

Dancers will submit two (2) video recordings: Technique Phrase and Compositional Study. Each video submission must not exceed two (2) minutes. Instructional Video will be posted mid November.

Requirements for Video Submissions

• Dance in a SAFE space that is conducive to moving freely.
• Dance in a space that is well lit.
• Make sure your entire body is visible at all times.
• Please state your full name and location at the beginning of your video.
• Length of video submissions is two (2) minutes or less, not including name and location.

Technique Phrase:

Dancers will watch and learn a technique phrase (instructional video provided) and record themselves performing this phrase. The phrase consists of codified technical Ballet and Modern dance elements along with specific Dance Improvisational prompts. Please perform the phrase twice.

Compositional Study:

Dancers will begin by creating a short 8-count phrase using movements selected from the technique phrase. After rehearsing the new phrase, choose three (3) of the 16 Ways To Manipulate Movement to create three (3) additional versions of your original phrase. Now equipped with four (4) short phrases, dancers are to create a movement sentence freely arranging the explored parts. Please record your study considering spatial pathways, transitions, and the opportunities of stillness/silence.

THE 16 WAYS TO MANIPULATE MOVEMENT

1)     Repetition – Repeat movement exactly the same

2)     Retrograde – Perform backwards, like a movie running from end to start

3)     Inversion – Perform upside-down

4)     Size – Condense or expand

5)     Tempo – Fast/slow/still

6)     Rhythm (a pattern) – Vary rhythm not tempo

7)     Quality – Light, Strong, Sustained, Sudden/quick, Direct, Indirect, Bound, Free 

8)     Instrumentation – Perform movement with alternate body part/s

9)     Force – Varying energy exerted

10)  Background – Alter design of body from the original position

11)  Staging – Adapt stage direction

12)  Embellishment – Decorate movement to include ornamentation

13)  Levels – High/Middle/Low

14)  Additive – Incorporate locomotor/traveling movements

15)  Fragmentation – Isolate a part of the motif

16)  Combination – Combine more than one manipulation at the same time

Link to Instructional Video

If you have any further questions please contact Paule Turner, Chair of Theatre and Dance at turnerp@rowan.edu or call 856-256-4030.

Acting Audition Tips

Online Portfolio Guide