Step 1. Find the right college and program for you.

BFA? B.A.? B.M.? Conservatory? Emphasis on dance? Every school is different, even down to the degrees they offer. So make sure you do your research and figure out what it is you want to study for the next four years. Learn the difference between a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Music. Be honest with yourself about whether you’ll want to study only the dramatic arts or if you want to get a full liberal arts education. Do you want to study abroad? Do you want the chance to learn how things work behind the scenes? All of these are questions you should know the answers to before starting the search as they will likely narrow the list down significantly.

Develop a list of questions to ask potential theatre departments and start visiting college campuses early. You will be spending four years there, so consider where you’ll be happy living. Decide if you want a small or large school, access to a city, and whether you want to be in driving distance or an airplane ride away from your family.
-7 Steps to a Successful College Audition

Be sure to research the schools you are interested in applying for. What are the requirements for admission? What classes do they offer? Be knowlegable about the schools you are applying for. You need to know more about them than they know about you. Remember, even if you are accepted into a program, you still get to make the final choice about where you go.

Use The College Audition's free resource, Spotlight, to search through a database of over 750+ musical theatre programs, create a free dashboard where you will find your list of all your colleges in one place making it possible to see your application and audition progress. 

Step 2: Find Appropriate Material

Most schools ask for two contrasting contemporary monologues for actors. Some require a classical piece. Your pieces need to be from published plays, not monologue books, so make sure you actually read the entire play, not just your selection. Schools will be unimpressed if you don’t know the origin of your character. Find pieces you connect with, show contrast, and are age appropriate.
-7 Steps to a Successful College Audition

“...Find material that is age-appropriate and is a role you could play right now. Choose material that you love. One of your pieces should be with an imaginary partner so we can see your ability to create an ‘other’ and remain focused on what’s happening between you. Choose contrasting material that shows some range—and a different relationship than your other monologue. Rehearse until it feels like it’s a part of you, and you enjoy telling the story.” - Catherine Weidner, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College

Technical or directing focused students should be prepared with portfolios of their work, whether actual or fantasy. Directing students may also be asked to perform a monologue. Research your school and be prepared with whatever materials they ask for. 

Step 4: Prepare for the audition and potential pre-screens and tapings.

Each school has its own admission process and many require a pre-screen video (due in the fall) that will determine if you get an invitation to audition. This tape showcases your acting and, if applicable, singing talent. Make sure you understand the material and are making choices. For musical theater programs, you will not get past the prescreening if you have vocal damage or pitch problems. You don’t need professional equipment to tape but make sure you are filming with no distractions and adequate lighting.
-7 Steps to a Successful College Audition

Avoid these common mistakes according to Catherine Weidner, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College:
1. Pay attention to your volume. Weidner has heard a lot of screaming—not a good thing.
2. Trust yourself. Many applicants have trouble trusting they are “enough.”
3. Choose wisely. Too many auditioners pick material using lots of profanity or sexually-charged language.
4. Tell a story.
5. Dress appropriately. Don’t wear six-inch heels to play Emily in Our Town.
-Secrets to Nailing Your College Audition