Application Requirements

Each selection should be performed “in character” and in context of the show’s plot while demonstrating your artistic versatility. All selections must be fully memorized. We encourage you to choose material that is meaningful to you. Gender roles can be fluid.

You may apply in either SPOKEN ONLY or MUSICAL THEATER, not in both.

SPOKEN ONLY:
Applicants must submit two (2) separate digital video recorded monologues for theater (not film) to include the following and in the following order:

• One (1) contemporary monologue, not to exceed two (2) minutes, from a play (not a musical) written during or after the 1950’s.
• One (1) classical monologue, not to exceed two (2) minutes, from a play written before 1950. We are looking for elevated or stylized text. Some examples are (but not limited to) Shakespeare, Chekov, Ibsen, Shaw, the Greek comedies and tragedies, etc.
• Total audition time for both monologues, not including introductions, should be approximately four (4) minutes.

MUSICAL THEATER:
(Please submit in this category if Musical Theater is your strength)

• Applicants must submit two (2) separate digital video recorded CONTRASTING songs (approximately 32 bars or 1 minute 30 seconds each). Should show arc of the character with a beginning, middle and end.
  • One Legit style song from the musical theater canon. Standard Broadway repertoire can include, but is not limited to: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Lerner and Loewe, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Cy Coleman, Jules Styne, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, etc.
  • One song from a contemporary musical theatre show or a published contemporary piece* (rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, gospel, country, etc.) 
    Examples of contemporary musical theater writers: William Finn, Sara Bareilles, Michael R Jackson, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Gwon, Shaiman & Wittman, Pasek & Paul, etc.
    Examples of published contemporary pieces: Joni Mitchell, Tracey Chapman, Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, Max Martin, etc. 
    *Published contemporary pieces do not need to be from an existing musical but must be sung with intention and rooted in circumstances. 
• One (1) contemporary monologue, not to exceed two (2) minutes, from a play (not a musical) written during or after the 1950’s.

Total submission for Musical Theater, including introductions, songs and monologue, should be approximately six (6) minutes.

NOTE: If selected as a winner with distinction, you will be required perform one of your submitted selections live on stage for the panel during National YoungArts Week.

Musical Theater Accompaniment Requirements

• Accompaniment should be one piano or a pre-recorded format without any background vocals. Please do not include the accompanist in the frame while recording your piece.
• Please do not accompany yourself or perform songs a cappella.

Guidelines for Recording Your Audition

• Each audition piece should contain the following introduction:
  • For monologues: “My piece is from (title of play) by (author) in the (role/character).”
  • For songs: My song is (title) from (Musical) by (composer).”
• For songs: Please do not embellish the music. Sing the notes that are on the page as the composer has written. Your song choice should show your vocal range.
• Sound: Make sure that your voice is clear without background noise. For songs, make sure that the accompaniment is clear but not overpowering your voice.
• Lighting: Position yourself indoors, in a well-lit room, against a plain wall/background.
• Framing: Keep the camera at eye level and have a fixed point of focus (not into the camera)
  • Songs: Framing should be hips/waist up to just above top of the head.
  • Monologues: Framing should be from middle of the chest to just above the head. If using a phone, please position in landscape mode (horizontally).
• Clothing: Wear clothing that is simple, comfortable, non-distracting and has a contrast to the background so that you can be seen clearly.

Media Submission Requirements

• Save and name your recordings individually with their titles and upload them as separate video files.
  • Total size for each file cannot exceed 2 GB.
• Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your media submission.
• List the following information for each audition piece in the spaces provided on your application. For monologues: Title of Play, Playwright and Role/Character. For songs: Title of Song, Title of Musical, and Composer.
• When uploading, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
• Please do not edit within a piece or submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts or competitions.

NOTE: You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects. YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for obtaining permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.