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Admission - photo collage of a theatre presentation, and a ballet class

Department of Theatre and Dance
Auditions and Awards

Photo of a theatre production

Candidates for all degrees in Theatre, including the B.A. in Theatre and the B.F.A. degrees in Acting, Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre/Dance, and Design/Technology, must complete an audition, portfolio review or interview to be considered for admission into the Department of Theatre and Dance. Auditions take place during the Winter term, from January to March, and offers of admission are made by mid-March. Students who do not audition or interview on or before March 15 usually must defer consideration of admission to the following year.

Musical Theatre and Musical Theatre/Dance (B.F.A.)
Prepare an up-tempo song, a ballad, and one short monologue. The songs should be from the Musical Theatre repertoire, and the monologue from a play. The total of all three selections should not exceed three minutes. Please time your selections carefully. It is recommended that you not use the following musical selections for your audition: Memory, On My Own, Shy, Think of Me, Adelaide's Lament, I Don't Know How to Love Him, I Cain't Say No.

Sheet music for our accompanist, a one or two-page theatre resume, and a photo are required at the audition. An 8x10 headshot is recommended but not required. If you do not have a headshot, please bring a recent, accurate photo focusing on your face. Bring dance clothes and jazz shoes and be prepared to learn a dance combination. (Tap shoes and toe shoes are not needed.) You will also be asked to complete a music theory and aptitude test.

If you are auditioning at one of the National Unified Audition sites, please bring an accompaniment on tape or CD cued to your selections. Also be prepared to demonstrate your dance ability.

Acting (B.F.A.)
Prepare two contrasting monologues taken from plays of your choice. The total of both pieces should not exceed three minutes. Please time your selections carefully. A one or two-page theatre resume and a photo are required at the audition. An 8x10 headshot is recommended but not required. If you do not have a headshot, please bring a recent, accurate photo focusing on your face.

Design and Technology (B.F.A.)
Prepare a portfolio of work that contains evidence of artistic achievement and creativity in the field or fields that are of interest to you, including scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design and technology, technical direction and/or stage management. (Stage managers may choose between the B.F.A. and the B.A. degree, but need to do a portfolio review for consideration.) Items may include drawings, paintings, slides, photos, renderings, light plots, concepts, prompt scripts and play programs highlighting your production involvement. A theatre resume and one letter of recommendation from a theatre or art teacher are required at the interview.

Arts Administration, Directing (B.A.)
An interview with the Department Chairperson is required. Be prepared to present a portfolio demonstrating your work in arts administration and/or directing. A theatre resume and one letter of recommendation from a theatre teacher are required at the interview.


On-Campus Audition Dates for the Department of Theatre & Dance
Several days throughout the year have been designed for you to tour campus, audition, and meet faculty and students. You will be on campus from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

BFA Acting auditions are held on the following dates:
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009

BFA Musical Theatre auditions are held on the following dates:
Friday, December 5, 2008
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009

BFA Design/Technology portfolio reviews and BA Theatre interviews can be scheduled during the Winter term between January 9 and March 10. Please call the Department office for an appointment at 614-823-1657.

BA Theatre interviews can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Winter term.


Off-Campus Audition Dates for the Department of Theatre and Dance
If you live outside of Ohio, or if you have already visited our campus and met with faculty and admission staff, you may audition at one of the National Unified Audition sites. Held in major cities in the second week of February, the National Unified Auditions provide you the opportunity for separate, private auditions with different colleges and universities. Because these are not large group auditions, you must contact each school directly for an individual appointment.

Otterbein representatives will meet and audition students for all Theatre degree programs at the following sites:

National Unified Audition Dates, 2009
(all degree programs)

New York - January 31-February 1, 2009
Chicago - February 2-4, 2009
Los Angeles - February 7-8, 2009

Note: Get more information about these audition dates here.

In extraordinary circumstances, we will accept a videotape by request only. However, we cannot overemphasize the importance of the campus visit in helping you make your college decision.

Arranging for an Audition, Portfolio Review, or Interview
Once you have applied for admission to Otterbein, you may make an appointment for your BFA audition in Acting or Musical Theatre by sending an e-mail to hhill@otterbein.edu. Please put the requested audition date in the subject heading of your e-mail. In the body of the e-mail, please include your name, the degree you are interested in, your mailing address, telephone number and indicate whether you have applied to the school. (Make sure you apply in enough time to be admitted to Otterbein College by your audition date. You must request your audition by February 1, 2009.)

Once you have applied for admission, you may arrange for a portfolio review for the BFA in Design/Technology in one of the following ways: Once you have applied for admission, you may arrange for an interview for the BA in Theatre in one of the following ways: Tell us where and when you want to audition or interview, and which degree program you're applying for. We will respond to your request with a written confirmation of your appointment and more detailed information about the audition, interview or portfolio review. You must apply for admission to the College before you schedule an audition. You do not need to have been admitted in order to schedule an audition. But, and this is very important, the application must be complete, and you must be admitted to the College before the actual date of the audition, interview, or portfolio review. So make sure that you apply early, and that you arrange to have your transcripts and test scores submitted. You can go here to apply online. You can go here to apply on-line.

Talent Awards and Acceptance Dates
Most students accepted into one of our degree programs are also offered a talent award, ranging from $500 to $4000 annually. Grants are made on the basis of the audition, portfolio review, and interview. Notification of acceptance and talent awards begins in mid-March. Some students may be placed on a waiting list. Final offers will be made by May 1.

Admission is selective and we aim for a freshman class of 32-34: 8 BFA Acting; 8 BFA Musical Theatre and Musical Theatre/Dance; 8-10 in the BFA in Design/Technology; and 8-10 in the BA degree. Even though you audition for one degree program, the faculty may offer you admission to another degree program if they believe your talent, goals and current strengths are better suited to that program.

Transfer Students
Students who have completed at least one year of a major in Theatre may be able to transfer into the department. Requirements vary by degree program. It is possible to complete a BA degree in two years at Otterbein, but the BFA degrees cannot be completed in less than three years. The transfer audition requirements for the BFA performance degrees (Acting and Musical Theatre) are rigorous, and no more than one or two students each year will be accepted as transfers into those programs. More students can be accepted into the BFA Design/Technology degree and into the BA Theatre degree. Potential transfer students should consult with the Department Chair before applying.

Dance Minor
Students who have extensive experience and training in Dance, and who want to minor in Dance while pursuing a major in an academic area, may audition for a Talent Award in Dance. An interview with the Director of Dance and participation in an advanced dance class are required to be considered for a talent award. Talent awards in the Dance Minor are competitive and range from $500 to $1,000 per year. You can schedule your visit by calling (614) 823-1657.

For More Information
If you have any questions, please call the Office of Admission at (800) 488-8144 or the Department of Theatre and Dance at (614) 823-1657.