2027 National Arts Competition Application Requirements

Theater – Musical

Please follow the requirements as closely as possible. Failure to comply with the requirements may make your application ineligible for an award.  

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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.

Submit two (2) separate digital video recorded CONTRASTING songs (approximately 32 bars or 1 minute 30 seconds each) and one (1) Contemporary monologue (No longer than 2 minutes). Should show the arc of the character with a beginning, middle and end. Your song choice should show your vocal range.

  • One (1) 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, Jule Styne, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, etc.
  • One (1) 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, Ahrens & Flaherty, 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 story and circumstances.
  • One (1) contemporary monologue, not to exceed two (2) minutes, from a play (NOT a musical) written during or after the 1950’s-present. Some examples include(but are not limited to) August Wilson, Caryl Churchill, Tony Kushner, Samuel D. Hunter, Bess Wohl, Lauren Yee, Arthur Miller, Clifford Odets, Lucan Hnath, Alice Childress, Suzan-Lori Parks etc.
  • Please make certain the monologue is from an existing play and not a stand-alone piece from a monologue anthology or collection.
  • 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 a selection of the panel’s choosing live on stage during National YoungArts Week. This may be a new selection and not from your application.

Recording Guidelines

  • Accompaniment: Accompaniment should be one piano or a pre-recorded format without any background vocals. Make sure that the accompaniment is clear but not overpowering your voice. Please do not include the accompanist in the frame while recording your piece. Please do not accompany yourself or perform songs a cappella.
  • Slate: Each piece should contain the following introduction:
    • Songs: “My song is (title) from (Musical) by (composer).”
    • Monologue: “My piece is from (title of play) by (author) in the (role/character).”
      • If you are using a previous recording that has your name and/or other identifying information, it must be edited out to protect the anonymity of the adjudication process.
  • Sound: Make sure that your voice is clear without background noise. Practice your piece in the space. Please do not embellish the music. Sing the notes that are on the page as the composer has written. No sound enhancements are permitted. (i.e. reverb, autotune or Ableton).
  • Image: Be sure your image is clear and good quality without background distractions. The reviewers/panel need to be able to see your facial expressions clearly in order to properly adjudicate your work.
  • Framing: The camera should be set at a fixed point of view. Shooting straight on, leaving the camera in one location at a distance. If using a phone, please position in landscape mode (horizontally).
    • Songs: Framing should be hips/waist up to just above top of the head.
    • Monologue: Framing should be from middle of the chest to just above the head.
  • Lighting: Make sure the space is well-lit, but not too bright. Judges should be able to see your face clearly. Too little light and reviewers cannot see you. Too much light will leave you overexposed, and the reviewers cannot see your expressions.
  • Clothing: Wear clothing that is simple, comfortable, non-distracting and has a contrast to the background so that you can be seen clearly.

File Upload Guidelines

  • Save each selection individually and name the files with their titles.
    • Total size for each file cannot exceed 2 GB.
  • Upload each selection as a separate file.
  • Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your files.
  • If you are using a previous recording that has your name and/or other identifying information, it must be edited out to protect the anonymity of the adjudication process.
  • Once uploaded, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
  • Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts or competitions as these events typically have background noise and/or distractions.

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.