Theatre Audition Information

2026 THEATRE ACADEMY AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Students do not need to have prior theatre experience to be considered for CATA’s theatre program. Please reference the linked rubric below to see how your audition materials will be assessed.

Theatre Audition Rubric

The One - Act Play That Goes Wrong 2025 Junior NCTC Production

Heathers

2022

The Lottery

2025

THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE 2026-2027 THEATRE ACADEMY CLASS OPENS JANUARY 27TH AT 9:00AM.

Students accepted into the Theatre Academy will take core theatre classes specializing in acting, acting methods, theatre history, theatre literature, directing, stage movement, technical theatre, apparel, and choir. Students have the opportunity to take additional elective classes in choir, band, songwriting, tech theatre, physical theatre, dance, apparel design, interior design, and film making.

The following are required materials prospective students must submit to be considered for the Theatre Academy--this includes both the performance and technical track pathways. Students also need to apply to CATA via Scribbles.

For more information, please go to the "How to apply to CATA" Page.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

A 1-2 minute monologue performed from memory, from any source (play, musical, film, self-written, etc.).
A 16-32 bar cut of a song from musical theatre. Please see the videos at the bottom of this page for help in picking the best material for your audition and self-tape. Your tape should not include the entire song. You may do it without accompaniment or you can sing to a karaoke track (do not sing with other voices). It is recommended that your song is from a musical but it can also be a genre of your choosing.

At the start of your self-tape, please slate yourself, stating your name and the material/part of the application you will be performing/completing.

Example: "Hello, my name is __________ and I will be performing a monologue from ____________ ."

OR "Hello, my name is _________________ and I will be performing the song ______________ from the show _____________________."

OR "Hello, my name is _______________________ and these are my interview responses."

At the end of your self-tape, please restate your name.

Interview: Please answer the following questions:

What does theatre mean to you?
What makes a strong ensemble or team?
What does commitment mean to you in a performance based program?
Please explain a show, performance, moment, or technical element in theatre or another performing art that inspired you and why.
Describe a time you failed or didn’t get what you wanted—what did you learn from it?
Why is it important for theatre students to respect and understand both performance and technical roles in a production?

4. Short Dance Call: There will be a very simple 16-count dance to learn and replicate. This is merely for the purpose of assessing a student's rhythm and movement capabilities. While this video is REQUIRED, dancing ability will not affect a student's overall acceptance into the academy pathway.

SHORT DANCE CALL TUTORIAL

5. Technical Theatre Portfolio (required for those interested in the Technical Theatre pathway, optional for those interested in the performance pathway): The Technical Theatre Portfolio is required for students wishing to focus on Technical Theatre aspects rather than Performance.

**Please note students interested in the technical pathway must still submit all other portions of the Theatre audition including a monologue, a 16-32 bar cut of a song, the dance call, and interview answers in addition to the Technical Theatre Portfolio. Students wishing to focus on the technical pathway will still be evaluated on the performance aspects of the application, but those portions will not hold as much weight in regards to acceptance as the portfolio submission and answers to the interview questions.

Please submit a portfolio with images and clear explanations of projects you helped with, designed, constructed, etc... These can include, but are not limited to: