Theatre
A complete application includes an audition and/or interview. You can upload your audition video and other materials through the UHart Applicant Portal.
The Hartt School is still accepting prescreening submissions from Actor Training and Music Theatre applicants. Prescreens can be uploaded to Accepted or through your University of Hartford applicant portal.
Quick Links
[Actor Training] [Music Theatre] [Stage Management] [Technical Theatre]
Select two contrasting monologues from a published source. The monologues should not be more than one minute each.
Video(s) from a staged play will not be accepted.
Pre-screens must be submitted by December 15!
On Campus Auditions
- Saturday Jan. 21: MT and AT Theatre auditions
- Sunday Jan. 22: ALL Theatre
- Saturday Feb. 18: ALL Theatre
- Sunday Feb. 19: MT and AT Theatre auditions
- Monday Feb. 20: Virtual auditions and interviews (including make ups)
National Unified Auditions
- Jan. 28 & 29, 2023, New York
- Feb. 6–9, 2023, Chicago
- Feb. 11 & 12, 2023, Anaheim
Applicants who pass the pre-screen will be invited to participate in a callback. We are planning to hold callbacks in-person on campus this year. Virtual options will also be available. Please prepare two contrasting monologues. One may be the same monologue from your pre-screen. An interview and a movements session will also be part of the callback. More information will be provided to students who are invited to participate in the callback.
For more information about National Unified Auditions, please visit the National Unified Auditions website.
Music Theatre
The music theatre major integrates comprehensive actor training with intensive instruction in singing and dance.
The Hartt School, University of Hartford, is a participant in the Musical Theater Common Pre-screen. Pre-screens must be submitted by December 15!
Audition Process
- Complete and upload pre-screen videos by December 15, 2022.
- Applicants who pass the pre-screen will be invited to an in-person callback. If you live more than 300 miles from CT or have travel restrictions, please contact harttadm@hartford.edu to schedule a virtual callback. Virtual callbacks may not be available in some cases.
- If you cannot provide pre-screen videos, there will be a few "live pre-screen" appointments at some auditions. Supply is limited, please contact harttadm@hartford.edu for more information.
Please upload your audition video to your University of Hartford applicant portal (Slate), or through GetAcceptd. There is no charge for the Slate upload.
Overall
For a music theatre audition, we need to see 5 separate videos: 2 songs, 1 monologue, 1 dance, and 1 wildcard. A ballet video is optional. Details for each video are outlined below.
Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc).
Introduction ("Slating")
There should not be a separate introduction or “slate” video. Instead, “slates” are to appear at the beginning of each piece and included as part of the time allotment.
- The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears.
- The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the
- The proper slate for a piece of dance is to share your name, the title of the song you are dancing to, and the name of the choreographer. If the piece is “self-choreographed” you should share your own name as choreographer.
Song Videos
Students should prepare 2-contrasting pieces.
- One song should be a ballad (where the piece has longer, sustained vocal lines) and one song should be an uptempo (where the vocal line moves at a conversational pace) so as to contrast style.
- Each song file should be 60–90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
- Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning, singing without music accompaniment)
- Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
- One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can either be the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
- One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
Monologue Video
- Monologues must be from a published play. Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
- One contemporary monologue (written after 1950). The video should be 60–90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
- The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
- Read the entire work from which the monologue originates so that you understand the character and context well.
Dance Video
- All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 60 seconds).
- Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
- The video should show 30–60 seconds of dance, in whatever dance discipline you are most comfortable with. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary. Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
- Please do not submit barre work. If you want to show ballet skills, please submit the OPTIONAL ballet video. (See below)
- Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
- All choreography must be performed to music; no “a cappella” dance media, please.
Wild Card Video
- Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
- Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
- This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”
OPTIONAL Ballet Submission (not required)
- Ballet Media should be no more than 60 seconds.
- Execute a brief series of plié, tendu, and grande battement.
- Execute pirouette en déhors (to both sides).
- Execute one or more grand jeté across the floor.
On Campus Auditions
- Saturday Jan. 21: MT and AT Theatre auditions
- Sunday Jan. 22: ALL Theatre
- Saturday Feb. 18: ALL Theatre
- Sunday Feb. 19: MT and AT Theatre auditions
- Monday Feb. 20: Virtual auditions and interviews (including make ups)
National Unified Auditions
- Jan. 28–29, 2023, New York
- Feb. 6–9, 2023, Chicago
- Feb. 11–12, 2023, Anaheim
Applicants who pass the pre-screen will be invited to participate in a callback. For the callback:
- Songs: You may be asked to sing the same songs from your pre-screen or a different song. It is possible that you will sing only one of your songs. Please be prepared for the possibility to sing a pop/rock selection. You will need to provide a recorded track/accompaniment for your selections and a speaker for playback. Pianist will not be provided.
- Monologue: Please prepare the same monologue from your pre-screen, or, if you would like to use a different monologue, please ensure that it is contemporary (not classical).
- Dance: There will be a group dance call. Please wear basic dance or rehearsal attire (tights, leotard, jazz pants, fitted t-shirt, all in dark colors), and jazz or ballet shoes to the dance call. Baggy clothes will impede our ability to properly assess your abilities. Character shoes and sneakers are not recommended. Hair should be pulled off the face and neck, and jewelry removed.
When selecting your monologue(s), choose material that is age appropriate.
Read the entire work from which the monologue originates so that you understand the character and context well.
Music Theatre majors should wear basic dance or rehearsal attire (tights, leotard, jazz pants, fitted t-shirt, all in dark colors), and jazz or ballet shoes to the dance call.
Hair should be pulled off the face and neck, and jewelry removed.
Baggy clothes will impede our ability to properly assess your abilities.
Character shoes and sneakers are not recommended.
Stage Management
In addition to completing an interview with faculty, applicants to BFA in Stage Management must submit the following:
- A current resume listing your theatrical experiences
- A letter of recommendation from a director, stage manager or theatre teacher whom you have worked with.
- A portfolio consisting of samples of a stage management production book or material that demonstrates organizational skills (prop tracking sheets, production schedules, rehearsal reports etc). We encourage applicants to contact Hartt Admission if a portfolio is not available to submit.
Technical Theatre
In addition to completing an interview with faculty, applicants to BFA in Technical Theatre must submit the following:
- A current resume listing your theatrical experiences
- A letter of recommendation from a director, stage manager or theatre teacher whom you have worked with.