Another Audition Advice Post- University
Fri, 18 Jan 2008, 10:48 pmpericleanmeehan16 posts in thread
Another Audition Advice Post- University
Fri, 18 Jan 2008, 10:48 pmHi all, after searching through existing posts I couldn't find specific advice I was after. I have an audition soon for Monash Uni's Bachelor of Performing Arts, which compromises of theatre games, improv and a 2 minute dramatic presentation of any variety. I have taken a gap year after year 12 and am feeling a little rusty with the theatre games, and am wondering of what nature they would be for the purpose of an audition process? I have always loved theatre games, and am used to participating in them in a creative, warm up etc atmosphere as opposed to a competitive one. Just thought there may be some advice out there for preparing for this situation? I have mixed feelings about the dramatic presentation, I know my strength is comedy, but am unsure whether to take a scene from my year 12 monologue which I loved and received an a for- i have kept my workbook where i have it mostly scripted, or to prepare scenes from musical theatre characters I've played- particularly Dolly from Annie Get Your Gun into a mini monologue, to create something new, or to workshop some comedic monologue I get my hands on. I am not familiar with auditioning for institutions as opposed to roles/musicals etc, the notice of audition letter tells me that they are not concerned with confirming that we are capable performers, but that we are in fact creative, imaginative, and to see how we participate and contribute in groups. I would feel most comfortable with my year 12 monologue character, however I don't know whether it is assumed we wouldn't do this, that they would want to see we have things prepared aside from vce purposes, the fact that it is only 2 minutes also makes me assume they just want a compete mini monologue rather than exerts of a large one, as 2 mins isn't enough time to make use of non-nat elements etc,so really they are looking at acting ability as opposed to creativity? This is a load of vague questions, however any advice, general opinions or audition information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The 2 minute challenge
Tue, 22 Jan 2008, 12:18 pmWalter Plinge
Hey there,
2 minutes. Yes, seems like only enough time to cook some packet noodles doesn't it?
Over the course of a university drama audition week, or weeks, the assessors will view MANY different people. Time is always of the essence. It is often simply not practical to allow everyone free choice of whatever monologue they want.
If everyone is bound by the some 2 minute time constraint it also creates a level playing field for everyone.
Assessors know what they are seeking to discover at an audition. Trust me, 2 minutes is plenty to find this out and as the old showbiz maxim goes, 'always leave 'em hungry'.
On a more subtle level, setting boundaries for pre prepared activites is also an interesting way to find out how well someone can read, understand and follow printed instructions. If you front up with a dazzling 8 minute monologue, it may be dazzling but it is not what was asked for. Following direction and written tasks is an essential requirement of drama and university life.
Do whichever monologue you feel comfortable with. The assessors are probably more interested to see what YOUR interpretation of the script is. So avoid copying movie versions of the piece or copying great performances you have seen other people do. Remember, uni drama teachers are probably conversant with an enormous number of texts and quite familiar with how different celebrities may have performed them. Take your own tack and seek to show some of yourself in your work. This audition is, after all, about finding out about you.
Good luck,
Tulipa.