<p>I’m auditioning for U. of Evansville’s theatre program this month, and I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice or experience to share. I’ve been having a lot of difficulty picking a “verse from a Broadway musical” because I’m not vocally trained, but I’m thinking about singing a part of “Die Vampire Die” from [Title of Show]. Is this a good idea? Few people have heard of the musical, and the lyrics are definitely weird, but I thought that could work in my favor; it seems to me that so many songs are overdone, and this one certainly isn’t and the song really means something to me.</p>
<p>Here are the lyrics to the section I’d sing:
“You have a story to tell
A novel you keep in a drawer
You have a painting to paint
But you’re lazy like an old French whore
You have a movie to make
Shrinky Dinks you can bake
But you best grab a stake 'cause
In sweep the vampires
In creep the vampires
Knee deep in vampires
Die vampire…”</p>
<p>If anyone has auditioned or is auditioning for U. of Evansville or has any info on their program, I’d appreciate it!</p>
<p>i’d be happy to tell you about my experience!</p>
<p>i did a unifieds audition so i simply arrived at the conference room and waited outside. i was the first person they saw that day and we decided to start a little early since i was there. i came in and went to the table they were sitting at to fill out a short form. the form is basically the info you signed up with online. know your gpa, sat/act, and ss number. though the ss number (and maybe other parts) aren’t required because they will have that in front of them on other pieces of paper already. there is a section which allows you to express interest in other areas of theatre such as management, design, education, etc. if you check one they will ask you about your experience or interest in the area.</p>
<p>now the audition! i told them my pieces and then did them! afterward i had a nice interview. the very well respected john lutz was one auditor and the other was the head of theatre management. both were so kind and knowledgeable that the audition experience was made very easy. they asked general, getting-to-know you questions for the most part. they are also very open to discussing their program with you so if you have any questions, i’m sure they will be happy to answer them. i was in the room for probably 15 minutes.</p>
<p>i hope you enjoy your audition as much as i did mine!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! That makes me feel a lot less worried. The song I ended up choosing is a lot more normal than the one I pasted above (“There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease) so I’m feeling a bit more comfortable. I haven’t auditioned much outside of high school so I’m trying to get as much info as I can.</p>
<p>hi! i am also planning on auditioning for evansville’s theatre program soon, and i was wondering, how difficult would you say it is to get into their program? I have fallen in LOVE with the school and am dying to go there. I eat, sleep, and breathe theatre and have been in everyone of my high school shows since freshman year. Any info anyone has would be so helpful! Thank you!!!
-Jayme-</p>
<p>Evansville ideally would like to have 6 girls and 10 boys for their performance major, but this year it will be 6 girls and 11 boys(It was 12, but one switched, I believe). I heard this right before my audition and assumed that I would never ever ever get in, but I’m heading off to orientation there in less than a week! I know that hundreds of kids audition(exact numbers I don’t have) and they wheedle it down to 40 for the program(thats design/tech, management, generalist, etc. included)</p>
<p>I actually was not in the best of health at my audition, went in, thought it went extremely poorly, and was ridiculously surprised to get an acceptance letter to the performance program! I was super intimidated by John David Lutz, head of the department and Sharla Cowden, head of marketing(I went to the Unifieds this year in Chicago) but they were very polite and I couldn’t really get a feel for how the audition had gone during the interview(which was afterwards) based on the auditioners themselves. but it all worked itself out! One thing I know they really do stress is good academics. They want the full package- talent and brains- so make sure you keep your grades up!</p>
<p>If you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask!</p>
<p>I am auditioning in this upcoming process and am jazzed! U of E of T is my top choice! Can anyone give me any pointers or tips for auditioning?
Do they prefer men with curly of slicked back hair?
Can I bring my tap shoes? (I know there isn’t a dance audition but I think it’s a huge asset)</p>
<p>I can’t give you any “school-specific” audition tips. So my advice is just “general”</p>
<p>Realistically, they will know that hair is something easily changeable. They are not going to worry about whether your hair is too curly or too slicked. Just make sure you don’t look like a complete slob. Also make sure your hair is out of your face and eyes, they definitely want to see your face and eyes (just so they can see how you are acting, they are not looking at your appearance).</p>
<p>If you want to bring your tap shoes along in your bag or satchel, that’s not a problem. But don’t wear them, or carry them around your neck or in your hand or something. I’m assuming you have mentioned that you are a tapdancer in your resume? Don’t bring up the tapdancing, and don’t expect it to be brought up. Because as you say, there is no “dance” component to this particular audition. Only IF one of your auditors says “Oh, your resume mentions tapdancing, can we see some?” then you can say “I brought my tap shoes, may I put them on?” But again, don’t expect this to happen, it might but very likely won’t.</p>
<p>Really you should be focusing now on your AUDITION, and what they are requiring from you. Don’t spend your time worrying excessively about hair and tap shoes. Prepare your monologues, and whatever else they have requested.</p>
<p>I auditioned on campus for Evansville last year. I just took my laptop into the room (you have to bring your own accompaniment device), set it up, then slated and did my monologues. I sung last. I don’t honestly think the singing part is THAT big of a deal since they don’t have a musical theatre degree, so your song choice should be fine. They just want to see what you can do and want well-rounded actors.</p>
<pre><code> Evansville may not be the most well known program, but it is still a VERY selective school, as much so as the more publicized top schools like UMich and CMU. It has a strong theatre program and only takes a pinch full of students as previously mentioned. However, a theatre classmate of mine in high school got called in for an interview months after being rejected, so the tables could turn if you’re really lucky and really what they want.
As far as the actual experience? It was okay. Some of the students seemed really cool, but the faculty seemed pretty cold and bored (I’m used to it, but my adjudicators here specifically stood out to me as uninterested…I’m not the only one who got this vibe either). The rest of the students there volunteering seemed snooty and I just got an all-around condescending vibe from the school. It’s also LITERALLY in the middle of nowhere, if that means anything to you (I personally say, who cares?! It’s a great program, but it bothers some people). I do know two people who are students there and they love it though, so to each their own! Good luck!
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<p>I believe so…most likely. It’s hard to remember exactly because it was almost a year ago now and I was traveling to a new state/city for auditions like every other weekend. I do remember Evansville being one of my last auditions though, so I’m willing to bet it was in January.</p>
<p>Also, update: The kid who was initially rejected has now been accepted and transferred to Evansville from Point Park.</p>