Conference Audition Information

back this year: three opportunities, one audition process

 

 The Tennessee Thespian Conference has partnered with the Tennessee All-State auditions this year! We will now offer one audition process during the Conference for all students. A variety of colleges will be represented, but there is no guarantee how many or which colleges will attend the auditions. Auditions will be held in 3 areas: Acting, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre.

 
 

The audition will cover up to 3 different areas - Colleges, All-State, and one of the Conference scholarships (for Seniors only). We highly encourage any and all students to be a part of the audition process for experience, exposure, and connections.

The deadline for submissions is November 24th, 2024. Late registrations will be accepted until December 4th, 2024 BUT will require a late registration fee of $5.

Fees:
$15 for Freshman-Juniors to audition for Colleges and All-State
$20 for Seniors to audition for Colleges, All-State, and the Conference Scholarships

$10 for individual sections

If you choose to audition for all sections and then decide not to continue with one/any of them, there is no penalty, but there will be no refunds.
(If submitting late, the fee total is $20.00 for FR-JR and $25.00 for Seniors.)

General Rules for all Auditions

  • Professional Dress - No holes, appropriate length pants and skirts, no low cut tops, no jeans

  • Students will receive an audition slot through email or check the Allstate or Thescon website. Students must check-in 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time on the 2nd Floor of the Student Union.

  • Candidates must complete the application form online.

  • Students will be escorted into the audition room in flights of 10-20, the first auditionee taking the “on deck” chair. When signaled by the Timekeeper, they will proceed to the stage where they will state their name and audition number, and present his or her audition piece. After your monologue and/or song, you should repeat your name and number. Even if time is called, you should repeat your name and number before you exit the stage.

Audition Tips

  • Audition with your strengths. If you are a strong comedic actor, choose a comedic monologue. If you are a strong character actor, choose an appropriate piece. If you are not a strong singer, it is better not to sing.

  • Choose a character as near your age as possible and within your age range.

  • Avoid unnecessary vulgarity. Adjudicators are rarely shocked, but they can be turned off. If your piece is selected for performance, we reserve the right to request that language or content be changed. If you choose not to change the material, you will still be recognized but not asked to perform.

  • Memorize and rehearse your piece exactly as you intend to perform it INCLUDING YOUR NAME AND NUMBER. (Remember that your name and number at the beginning of your audition are a part of your time)

  • If singing, get help picking a selection that shows your strengths, perhaps choose the end of a song or a climactic vocal passage.

Acting Audition Rules

  • Candidates must perform ONE monologue not to exceed 1 minute total. You will be stopped if you exceed time.

  • Do NOT include any explanation or background of the monologues.

  • You must slate your monologue: Front - state your name and number only. Back - state your name and number only.

  • Selections must be from a PUBLISHED Play.

Musical Theatre Rules

  • Candidates must sing a solo from a produced show AND perform one monologue from a produced show not to exceed 1 minute 30 seconds. Do NOT include any explanation or background for your song or monologue.

  • You must slate your monologue: state your name, title of the song and the musical it is from, title of the play the monologue is from, and the author/composer of each.

  • The song must be sung to a track that has music ONLY (NO VOCALS can be on the track) * CORRECTION - Please bring a copy of sheet music, no tracks will be allowed.

  • No songs may be sung a cappella.

Tech Theatre Rules

  • Candidates must present a portfolio of his or her work.

  • The portfolio should include photos and/or actual examples of work.

  • Items should be displayed in a digital format.

  • The candidate will have a total of 4 minutes to explain and describe his/her work.

  • The presentation will be followed by an interview/Q & A session regarding the portfolio.

Auditions - In Person, Friday 1/17 and Saturday 1/18

  • Students may be asked to participate in an interview with the participating colleges. Each section of auditions will have a set callback time to meet with the colleges.

  • Finalists in each category may be selected to perform in a showcase during conference.

  • Seniors auditioning will automatically be entered into the running for the 3 Conference scholarships.

The Tennessee Thespian Society does not take responsibility for the decisions made by the college panelists nor does EDTA influence a college’s selection/interview process.

Other Resources for auditions*

https://playbill.com/article/13-tips-to-nail-your-college-audition
https://columbiacollege.edu/how-to-prepare-for-your-college-acting-audition/

*EDTA does not own the rights to the shared material or represent opinions reflected by individuals in the material