Theater Audition Requirements

In-Person Auditions

Auditions for theater applicants (both undergraduate and graduate) include an acting, vocal and dance audition. Applicants must bring pre-recorded accompaniment on CD or mp3 player and should prepare “age-appropriate” material.

Students approved for admission will be given a musicianship/theory placement exam at the beginning of the fall semester.

NOTE: In-Person Auditions are required of anyone residing in the 48 contiguous states. Only international applicants and residents of Hawaii and Alaska may submit a recorded audition. (See below.)

Acting

Applicants must prepare two short, contrasting monologues from the following:

• Modern, post-war literature: examples of post-war dramatists are Miller, Williams, Albee, Inge and Shepard.
• Classical literature: examples of classical pieces include Shakespeare’s comedies and histories or Moliere.

A 4-minute time limit for the total acting portion of the audition will be strictly enforced.

Voice

Applicants must prepare two brief, contrasting songs from the Broadway repertoire: one ballad and one upbeat selection. Applicants should:

• Select songs that demonstrate vocal quality, phrasing, rhythmic skills, and lyric interpretation;
• Select songs that express a character’s feelings more than songs that tell a story (avoid narrative songs);
• Prepare age-appropriate material;
• Avoid long intros leading into songs;
• Limit each song to 2 minutes, preferably 32 bars (a verse and a chorus).

Applicants must bring pre-recorded accompaniment on CD or mp3 player for auditions.

Again, a 4-minute time limit for the total singing portion of the audition will be strictly enforced.

Dance

Applicants should be prepared to learn a combination in various musical theater styles. Expected audition dress attire is as follows:

• Women: Solid-colored unitard or leotard with dance pants. Bring jazz shoes (no tap shoes required).
• Men: Form-fitting, solid-colored tee shirt and jazz pants. Bring jazz shoes (no tap shoes required). 

Recorded Auditions

Please note, ONLY residents of Alaska and Hawaii and international students may submit a recorded audition. No recorded auditions will be accepted from students residing in the 48 contiguous states; they must audition in Boston or regionally.

Our preferred method of receiving your audition recordings is online through our ArtsApp portal, at www.artsapp.com/bostonconservatory. Please go to this URL, register and submit your audition materials by February 1.

If you choose to mail a recording, please send a DVD (only; CDs will not be accepted) which satisfies all the requirements of a voice, acting and dance audition listed above.  The recorded audition requirements are the same as the In-Person audition. For the dance requirement, record a musical theater style dance piece on a stage or in a studio. The piece should be no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds. Please show technique as well as musicality.

Incomplete recorded auditions will NOT be accepted. For more information about Recorded Auditions, please click here.