I was a tad anxious for my audition with CMU this past Saturday at the Pittsburgh campus, so I was the first one there and warming up to avoid the stress of being late. People slowly started to file in. Most people wore neutral colors, I on the wore a fuchsia dress with funky floral ankle strap heels. I felt like Elle woods in the situation, to be honest. Anyway, the members who were judging us today gave their speeches, including Barbara, Kaf, Gary, and another man. Claudia, one of the judges for the singing portion, didn’t speak. They were friendly and welcoming, eased my nerves even more. I talked to a few of the student who were helping out, and a few of the students who were auditioning. Eventually, I got called out to act. I went to Kaf. I entered the room and she told me to take off my heels (though she said she liked them lol) and she told me there’s no need to slate. I started with my Othello monologue, proceeded to my contemporary called “bad party,” and I noticed she was looking down for the majority of the time. No problem, just a note. Then she asked me for a third and I did my sister Maynard monologue from Spamalot. She chuckled at the end. Then she asked me to sing a short cut of my song, so I sang a heartfelt section of “Astonishing” for her. She interviewed me, asked my what colleges I applied to I said “here, point park, and I sent in a video for penn state. But that didn’t work out.” She proceed to say how videos don’t capture the… And I accidentally finished her sentence and said “charisma” (oops!) she seemed to like me. We had a little more small talk and I went on my way. At the end she stacked the papers and said “great” as I was walking out. I said “thank you for your time!” And she said “you’re welcome” nice lady.
For my voice I went to Gary Kline. I went in, said hi, gave my directions to the accompanist, and slated for him. I sang “one kiss” from new moon which is legit. Gary was looking down a lot of the time. I proceed with “astonishing” which is a crazy high belt song. He was like, grooving to my signing! Haha! After I managed to get out my E flat and the last phrase, he said “wow, you really do have a big voice, don’t you?” And I replied “haha! I guess so!” Then he asked me if I studied with anyone he knew, because I’m a Pittsburgh local. He got up and was walking out of the room for some reason so I held my hand out for a handshake and said “thank you for your time” and he said “no, give me a hug!” And he hugged me! He’s so lovely. Chances are slim but I believe I did well. I’m just concerned because I didn’t get in front of Barbara. Granted, I was at the 8 AM session and they probably wanted to get it over with. Even in the introduction they were like, “last one!” How do you guys think it went?
Also- I talked to a freshman acting major who’s friends with my friend who goes there (I ran into going to the bathrooms actually), told him I saw Kaf. He said “did you move on?” I said “yeah, to sing with Gary” and he said “that’s good!” and got really excited. I don’t know. I’m trying to layout everything I know and have been told.
By “did you move on” they might have meant that you were passed to other staff to perform your songs/monologues again
The freshman, Will, told me that Kaf was the “wall to crack” also. Idk. I shouldn’t expect anything, I’m not expecting anything, but I have so much hope in me still. :’)
Hi lifeincolor. I hope you get in. But I really think to get in you have to be seen by Barbara. Either Kaf moves you on to see Barbara or Barbara sends you to Kaf. They are like a tag team. As for Gary, I heard that it’s a good sign if he asks you to sing Suppertime (girls). I don’t know about boys. lol But whatever…forget about it. Go on with your life and maybe they will call. None of this is written in stone. But one thing for sure, life will go on. lolol and you’ll end up at a great place, CMU or not. Good luck to you!
I have no clue how CMU chooses their class, but I’m glad that you had a great audition experience! Good luck to you!
Great summary @lifeincolor. Really hope you get in. A family member graduated from CMU in music a while back, and really enjoyed it there.
Thanks for sharing your experience @lifeincolor I was at the 2/21 on campus audition. You inspired me to share my audition experience as well! So here goes:
It was snowing naturally, so everyone raced inside to warmness and I sat in the holding room with 50 other quiet kids and their parents. The seniors and sophomores helping out with the auditions were very accommodating. They all took our individual Polaroid and collected our headshot and resume, and then pass this off to listen to Barbara and Gary give their introductory speech. I had a 4 PM flight that day and so I was the first to go for singing in front of Gary. I was quickly ushered into his office to sing! He let me do both cuts and I sang “gorgeous” and he commented on the high D I hit in it and proceeded to tell me that they had to “voice over” that note in the original broadway recording. And then he said “well great, we are an acting school, so go nail your acting audition now!” I quickly raced down the hall to find the other CMU students helping out with the auditions, and they got me in to see Barbara within the next two people that went, which is very accommodating according to the tight time schedule I was on. I got to chat with one of them and he said he got expected also to CCM and Millikin university and that he chose CMU because they’re acting training is unparalleled with any other university and went on to describe how he loves the Shakespeare workshops they do.
Barbara came out and shook my hand and welcomed me in the door which surprised me, because most schools do not just come up and shake your hand before you audition. She also told me to take off my heels and run around the room and do whatever I can to warm up. She then asked me if I was a dancer and said she “could bet I was” and I laughed and said yes. I then started my monologues and she said there was no reason to slate for either of them so I just went right into the next one after my first one. She then asked me to sing, and then asked me to sit down and had a formal interview with her where she asked what other schools I applied to said I had “talent” and we talked about a few other things. I thanked her and she thanked me and it was wonderful! Then I left and went on my 4pm plane back to AZ. No expectations at all, it was just totally a bucket list experience for me and I’m glad it went well and I’ll always remember it! 
Ps. I hope you get in!
I was at the same audition as you! I remember thinking I liked your outfit I was the guy in the brown corduroys with gray vest/blazer. (I’m just responding to your post based on the order you wrote things if that helps) I luckily figured it would be safe to warm up in the car, but I am only now just fully recovered from a sinus infection I had, so on Saturday my voice was not at its strongest and my head felt a little foggy. I first sang for Gary, but before I went in I did my tradition of a few pushups before I auditioned- kind of a mistake, I think. I had just finished my pushups when they called me into the room so i felt slightly out of breath before the audition. Gary could tell I was nervous so he told me just to take a deep breath and relax, he was very comforting! After I sang he said some kind words and noted that I was a mess when I walked in but I managed to pull myself together haha. He asked if I had a third song and I did but I had never sung it with an accompanist before which was another mistake, BUT he seemed to like it as well and I thanked him and left the room. I went to go into the sitting room but right as I sat down they called me to go sing in the other room with Claudia. In THAT room Peter Cooke (head of drama) was also in the room which made me even more nervous since I was already nervous about my voice, but they all really did do a great job of getting me to relax. They listened to all three songs and said some kinds things! Then I went to Act for Kaf and she had me improv my dramatic monologue to make it comedic, it was fun! Peter Cooke asked to sit in on my audition though (no pressure -_-) Then I thanked them and she asked if I had any questions but I couldn’t think of any (of course I had a ton AFTER we left ), They had me perform for Barbara too but I was getting even more nervous by then. She had me try one of my monologues with a Spanish accent which I’d never tried before but was certainly willing to try! She ended by having me sing any one of the songs I chose and then she spoke to me. She said they really liked me and gave me great comments on my voice, but made sure I understood that over 2000 people had auditioned. But I’m trying to stay positive and hoping that everything worked out in the end- CMU is definitely my number 1
Forgot to mention that she had me take off my blazer and tie and just get loose and relaxed too!
You guys are so incredibly nice!!! AH. Thanks for your experiences as well, I’m glad we all have something to compare it to. Though, I’m still uneasy. “Bucket list” experience indeed. Let’s see if any of us can hit the lotto! Thanks for comenting everyone
I did two of my monologues in a British accent by the way- othello was a course accent, kind of worrisome and annunciated. My Spamalot was an exaggerated British accent, for a comedic approach. Idk- just throwing in things I remember!!!
WAIT- TWO THOUSAND?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?
THATS ONE THOUSAND MORE FROM WHAT IVE READ HAHAHAHA. Crazy. It’s because it’s such a great school.
http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/creativity/2009/spring/sister-act.shtml
I suggest looking at Patina Miller’s audition experience, and how Gary Kline reacted to it. Gave me a little hope, might give you some!
That article is definitely encouraging, thank you for sharing!
The amount of research I did is ridiculous, haha. Like, for Corey Cott’s audition, I think it was Barbra that said he “lacked depth” or something. What they’re looking for though is transparency, to see who you really are.
After seeing this post I also wanted to share my experience! Especially because I have been creeping on all of these lovely stories in order to try and make myself feel more at ease.
I went to the unified auditions in LA, which I believe mine took place on February 9th during the afternoon session. I was really nervous, and when I get nervous I tend to arrive early because I want to make sure I have everything in order. Which is funny because I was actually staying in the hotel, so I was incredibly early. Anyway, when I arrived another girl was also there for the afternoon session with her mom, and since the morning session was just ending, the girls working the table checked with Barbara in order to see if she could take one more. Barbara agreed and then the girl went in. Since I had a flight to catch later in the day I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see if they could also slip me in, but then I decided to not let them worry about it since Barbara was probably in need of a break after such a long morning session, and long audition sessions from the days before. So I went back to my room and waited a little while (running my monologues a few times again) before going back downstairs to the room again.
There were a lot more people in the room once I was back, a lot of girls with their moms by their sides, or even both parents. I brought my brother along for the ride, and we spent the fifteen minutes before the session started just talking and joking. There was so much tension in the room and it tended to get super quiet at times, so we were a tad bit louder than most. But hey, it’s Carnegie Mellon! Of course everyone was nervous. I think my brother was trying to keep me distracted from the lengthy and legit resume that the girl in front of me was sporting. I also was the only girl in the room not wearing heels. I’m 5’2" and not experienced in high heels, which made me opt out of that decision from the get go. But I was easily intimidated by the fact that all the other girls were wearing (and completely rocking) some pretty cute heels.
Anywho, after awhile we began the check in process of filling out our info sheets, getting our pictures taken, etc. I took a silly photo when I did mine, and the lady doing the table was laughing and saying, “Okay, you’re in!” And I think I replied with something like, “I wish it was that easy!”
Then after everyone was about done, Barbara, Kaf, and Gary all came in to give their own little speeches about the program, some tips, and just an overall message to “have fun!” After all, this is all of our passion and something we deeply love, so we just needed to go in and have fun with them. They all had us laughing, and also mentioned the “we may pass you around between Kaf and Barbara.” I had already read a few stories about people being passed between the two and being asked to perform their monologues multiple times in order to work them and what not, so I was preparing myself to do some work!
They told us they would be calling us in groups of about five. The MT group was much bigger than those of us just focusing on acting (meaning me included), so we were sure to go much faster. The MT group would go with Gary first, and then just acting would go with Barbara (and I think another group with Kaf). Having a B last name, I was the first one called on the list of five, and I was also the first to go into the room with Barbara. I remember the girls around me were so nervous, but so was I. However, I was already feeling such good vibes from the staff that I was getting very excited as well.
Barbara greeted me at the door, and she was instantly so incredibly friendly. I shook her hand and she led me inside, where a man was sitting at the table. She introduced him as one of the alumni who was just sitting in on auditions for the afternoon session, and I introduced myself to him as well. He was friendly, and it made me feel at ease. So then Barbara sat down, and said I was already standing in the perfect spot to begin my monologues. She reviewed which pieces I would be performing, and I know what you’re all going to think “how overdone” when it comes to my pieces. But I chose a piece from Midsummer’s and another piece from Brighton Beach Memoirs. So Barbara told me to do whatever I needed to prepare because “we’re all actors. We get it.” So I’m minimalistic in this aspect and just need a moment within myself, saying the usual mottos. But then I looked up, found my other, and began.
Both of my monologues went smooth, and I felt pretty good about them. The man at the table watched the entire time, while Barbara took lots of notes. Which scared me, but I also know that’s a pretty good thing. Then Barbara asked if she could see another piece. I had prepared a third monologue for my Minnesota audition that had to be a character that we would never be cast as, but were very passionate about. I chose a piece from A Chorus Line, which is Paul’s monologue. When I told them about it, they both seemed interested, and Barbara mentioned it was quite a stretch, but she would love to see it.
Oh lord. I love that monologue first off, but while Barbara was writing I could see the guy’s reactions out of the corner of my eye. He laughed at one point of the monologue (which is good/funny because it’s very dramatic and sad in a sense), and then I could see him nodding (hopefully in approval) at me as I was finishing up, but I kept my focus on the wall.
Once I was done, Barbara kept mentioning how well prepared I was, and how great it was that I was that prepared. So I thanked her, and was hoping that was a good sign. I stood there waiting for her to ask me to run a certain piece again or give me notes (as I had read she had done with many others), but she didn’t. I wasn’t sure how to really take that because I’ve experienced directors working monologues with me and I get cast, or not working with me and I get cast. So I wasn’t quick to make judgments. However, based on what I’ve read, I thought my chances were kinda shot right there if I wasn’t asked to work or even see Kaf.
Instead, she invited me to sit down and have a chat with her. During the chat she just talked about my prior schooling, where else I had applied to, and mentioned how important it is to do a wide net of schools in order to be safe. I made sure to look at both of them while talking and answering, but I was quite nervous. But when Barbara started sharing the numbers of 2,000 people applying, and only 7 or so getting in, I felt my heart racing and sinking at the same time. I think she could tell because she instantly went, “Not that I’m saying you won’t get in!” But she could very well be saying that.
Anyway, after that she thanked me again for being so prepared and everything, and then led me out of the room to the door. She asked me if I had anymore auditions and I told her I was done, so she told me to just go out and enjoy the rest of my day because I was done and I had accomplished so much. I thanked her, and then she went on to the next girl.
When I got back to the waiting room my brother asked lots of questions. I told him how well my audition went and how amazing Barbara was, but then I had to go on to explain that I most likely wasn’t going to get in. Just due to odds, and also because my class standing is different than probably all of the other kids. But it was a great experience and I really, really enjoyed it. Carnegie’s staff is amazing and I really felt welcome and like I was there to just have fun!
Sorry for the length! Hope this helped anyone else!
I wasn’t asked to do anything with my monologues either! I was asked for a third, and that’s about it. Same with songs, it was a fast process, though kind of seemed Gary fond me, maybe. After sang my belt song astonishing (yeah I know, but it’s the only one could find that showcased my belting ability to its fullest extent) he said “wow, you have a big voice don’t you?”
Maybe they’re just being encouraging, who knows. But it makes me anxious.
Our experiences are kind of similar though! I wish you the best of luck, yo!
My S had a great experience but only saw Kaf and he only did his two monologues. He auditioned for Acting only. Kaf said she was very impressed with his choices and his acting and sat him down to chat and asked if he visited the school. But everyone says you have to get passed to Barbara to get in…so theres that… Lol Wish they could just tell you right there if you are not what they are looking for. Best wishes to everyone!