Entrance Auditions and Interviews - NMU Theatre and Dance

Audition and Interview Processes and Requirements

If you are attending PUAs, Texas Thespian Festival, Michigan Thespian Festival, Eisenhower See and Be Seen, Oakland Dance Festival, MARCAS (for dance), or another even that uses ACCEPTD or SUBMITTABLE, you do not need to also submit to NMU’s ACCEPTD.

Step 1: Review the Program Audition and Interview requirements below. Please note the Helpful Tips for Audition Videos section at the end. 

Step 2: Visit NMU T&D’s ACCEPTD Page to start your application process. There are two drop down menus on the left side of the screen. Select Department of Theatre and Dance in the first drop down and then your program in the second drop down. There is no cost to you! NMU T&D covers the cost of your application—but you MUST include all required materials in order to be considered for program acceptance and scholarships. Please be sure to pay close attention to all details. This application will also serve as your scholarship audition. Applications must be submitted by March 1 to be considered for departmental scholarships. 

Step 3: Apply to NMU! There is also no fee to apply to NMU.

When will I hear if I have been accepted into a program and if I am being offered a departmental scholarship? NMU Theatre and Dance offers rolling admission to their many of their programs, meaning that you may hear relatively soon after your audition whether you have been accepted into a particular program. Theatre and Dance Department scholarship offers will be sent out no later than April 1.  Further information and details will be included in your scholarship offer letter.

Individual Program Requirements

BFA Musical Theatre Audition Materials
Please follow the Musical Theatre Common Prescreen Criteria as follows:

• Song Option A: One song written before 1970 (musical theater, Golden Age, pop, folk, rock, soul, country, etc.).
• One song written after 1970 (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
• Monologue Option A: One monologue from a published play or written by a professional writer. (A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.)
• Dance Option A: Show us your best version of choreographed dancing or moving. Please include at least one turn, one jump and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
• Ballet Option B: Ballet optional. 
  • If you would like to submit ballet content, please consider a brief series of plié (1st, 2nd, 5th), tendu en croix, and grande battement en croix at the barre, a pirouette en déhors (to both sides) in centre, and one or more grand jeté /leap/saut de chat across the floor.

Please be sure to follow all filming and labeling instructions and submit to NMU's ACCEPTD page.

Note: A short interview with our faculty may also be required after reviewing your audition. If needed, this will be scheduled via Zoom. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BFA Musical Theatre program at NMU, as well as any past experience.

BFA Acting Audition Materials
The following should be submitted as separate video files. You must include all video components in order to be considered for this program.
Please your label files as follows: Slate – Your First & Last Name (Ex. Slate – Idina Menzel); Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name (Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare – Ramin Karimloo); Wild Card – Your First & Last Name; Resume– Your First & Last Name; Headshot– Your First & Last Name 

• Slate: Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera. This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name. There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below). This slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds.
• Monologue 1: One short contemporary monologue
• Monologue 2: One short classical monologue
• Wild Card Video (not to exceed 5 minutes): Think of this as an opportunity to show us your personality or something about you--what do you want us to know about you? This video might include a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, a skit, another dance style, a hobby that is meaningful to you, a day in your life, stand-up comedy, a "how-to" video, etc.--let us know who you are!
• Resumé: Please detail all acting, music, and dance training, as well as performance experience (further details specified in ACCEPTD).
• Headshot

Note: A short interview with our faculty may also be required after reviewing your audition. If needed, this will be scheduled via Zoom. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BFA Acting program at NMU, as well as any past experience.

BA/BS Dance Audition Materials
The following should be submitted as separate video files. You must include all video components in order to be considered for this program.
Please your label files as follows: Slate – Your First & Last Name (Ex. Slate – Tiler Peck); Technical Skills – Your First & Last Name; Solo Dance – Your First & Last Name; Wild Card – Your First & Last Name; Resume– Your First & Last Name; Headshot– Your First & Last Name 

• Slate: Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera. This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name. There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below). This slate video should be no longer than 10 seconds.
• Technical Skills: (can be submitted in one video)
  • Barre Exercises: Plie (1st, 2nd, 5th), Tendu (en croix), Rond de Jambe (en dehors and en dedans), Grand Battement (en croix).
  • Pirouettes en dehors (outside) and en dedans (inside)(in both parallel and turned-out positions).
  • Traveling combination(s) including your choice of at least two jumps and two turns on both right and left sides.
• Solo Dance Performance: One solo dance piece in the style of your choice. The piece must be at least 90 seconds and no longer than 2.5 minutes. This piece should demonstrate both technical and artistic excellence. The piece should be filmed in a well-lit, quiet location, free from distraction or background noise. 
  • Faculty are evaluating technical execution, movement control and clarity, performance quality, musical interpretation, dynamic range, artistic expression.
• Wild Card Video (not to exceed 5 minutes): Think of this as an opportunity to show us your personality or something about you--what do you want us to know about you? This video might include a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, a skit, another dance style, a hobby that is meaningful to you, a day in your life, stand-up comedy, a "how-to" video, etc.--let us know who you are!
• Resumé: Please detail all dance training, as well as performance experience (further details specified in ACCEPTD).
• Headshot You will also be required to upload a resume and headshot.

Note: A short interview with our faculty may also be required after reviewing your audition. If needed, this will be scheduled via Zoom. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BA/BS Dance program at NMU, as well as any past experience.

BFA Theatre Technology and Design Materials
In order to be admitted into the BFA Theatre Technology and Design program at Northern Michigan University, students must submit a resume, complete an interview, and have the option to submit a portfolio. The Department of Theatre and Dance awards program admittance and scholarships based on this process.

Please your label file(s) as follows: Resume – Your First & Last Name; Wild Card – Your First & Last Name; Portfolio – Your First & Last Name

Please submit the following materials in your review package:

• Resumé:  Please include the following: relevant previous training in theatre and/or adjacent entertainment industries, relevant previous experience in theatre and/or adjacent entertainment industries, awards (further details specified in ACCEPTD).
• Wild Card Video (not to exceed 5 minutes): Think of this as an opportunity to show us your personality or something about you--what do you want us to know about you? This video might include a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, a skit, a hobby that is meaningful to you, a day in your life, stand-up comedy, a "how-to" video, etc.--let us know who you are!
• Portfolio (optional): A portfolio may be submitted as one PDF file (which is preferred) or multiple pdf or jpeg files. Your total number of files may not exceed 25. Please submit a portfolio that includes examples of design and/or technical work that you have done in high school, community theatre, summer stock, or at other colleges/universities. Please present your portfolio in a way that you feel best represents you, though it should be presented in an organized fashion.

Interview: A 15-minute interview with our faculty will be required following review of your resumé. This will be scheduled via Zoom. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in the BFA Theatre Technology and Design Program, as well as your resumé and any submitted portfolio materials. You will be asked to have your "hardcopy" portfolio materials on hard for the interview.

 

Helpful Tips for Your Audition Videos

• Prospective students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices available to them (ex. smartphone, tablet, etc.)
• Solid-colored walls are ideal backgrounds, but any background that does not pull focus away from your performance is preferred.
• Take care that your space has adequate lighting. The light should be in front of or to the side of you, not behind you, so that you do not create shadows.
• When using pre-recorded music, place the music source (the speaker) closer to you than it is to the device that you are recording with. By having the accompaniment near you your voice and music will reach the microphone on your recording device in a more balanced manner.
• Do a trial recording to test your audio and visual performance. Watch and listen to your video playback to ensure that everything looks AND sounds okay.
• Ensure the camera portion of your device is at eye-level. We recommend using a tripod built for a smartphone or tablet. If you do not have this, a stack of books on a desk/counter or on box would be a good alternative.
• We recommend filming in landscape/horizontal mode.