<p>Hey there im auditioning for many BFA acting programs and I was wondering if people could list some examples of adjustments they were given to do with their monologues?
Also, if you could list what schools you were asked to do an adjustment at as well?</p>
<p>I don’t know which schools, other than UArts, asked my son for an “adjustment,” but I think it’s usually an indication that the auditors are interested, and want to see more from you. UArts didn’t ask for anything more than one monologue in the preliminary audition (which upset my son); they asked to see the second one, and gave some extra direction, during the callback. My son wasn’t called back at any of the other schools he auditioned for. If you are thinking optimistically, you should anticipate
“adjustments,” and expect the unexpected.</p>
<p>My son was asked to make adjustments at his audition for BU.</p>
<p>After my D did her serious dramatic monologue for UArts, the auditor asked her to redo it but wanted D to make her laugh. At the drop of a hat D changed it up to a comedic routine. </p>
<p>I think she also was asked to make adjustments at NYU and BU.</p>
<p>The stereotypical adjustment is “Now do that monologue again, while stacking up those chairs.” And I know of at least one student auditioner who was actually asked to do that.</p>
<p>The auditors give adjustments for a number of reasons. They may be concerned that an actor has been overly coached or rehearsed and is just giving a sort of “rote” performance, and they may want to break that up. They may be looking at whether the actor can take direction (a VERY important skill for an actor!).</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>My son’s only had one college audition before, but he had to do situps!</p>
<p>My D was asked to do a monologue a second time, while sitting on her hands. She was not accepted to that school. At the two where she was accepted, she got no adjustments nor any particularly response one way or another, nor did she from the other 4 that rejected her. It’s really hard not to try to read into these experiences. Just try to be agreeable and to work hard and listen during your auditions. And try not to take anything too personally. Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>My daughter was given adjustments in some auditions; in some, she was asked for extra monologues. In some she just did her monologue and then the auditor interviewed/chatted with her. In some, it was just a straight audition and a thank you. There seemed to be no correlation between these details and her acceptances. So, be prepared for anything, but try not to read too much into what happens. (I know, I know-- with such a long wait between auditions and decisions, it’s impossible not to dwell on the details of the audition, but try not to to make yourself crazy.)</p>
<p>My S has done three auditions so far, the school he did not get into, Shenandoah, asked him for nothing but when my daughter auditioned there two years ago (and is a student), she was asked to do her monologues in a different way. My son was not asked to change anything for Hartt (which he got accepted to) or Point Park (still waiting) but they each asked him a lot of questions (which Shenandoah did not). It is, as they say, a crap shoot!</p>
<p>Back when my D auditioned, years ago, it was not unusual for an auditionee to be stopped midway through their monologue, asked a question or two, and then asked to resume. I haven’t heard of that in recent years, but it speaks to how important it is to truly know your monologues. Being given notes/direction to do a monologue in another way is common enough that any student should be prepared for that possibility. Also, it is always wise to have more monologues prepared than the two that fit a school’s particular requirements, similar to an MT auditionee having more songs in their book.</p>
<p>^^My son’s Ithaca audition experience proves your point, alwaysamom. After his two monologues (which the auditor timed with a stopwatch), the auditor said he “wanted to hear more.” He asked my S to repeat a tongue-twister; they talked for a few more minutes and THEN he asked him for a third monologue (which was not timed). Also, he’s been asked about plays on his resume during every interview. More evidence for the belief that you really do need to be ready for anything! :)</p>
<p>My oldest was asked to do pushups during one of HIS auditions!</p>
<p>But I’d second what most people are saying. In our experiences, asking for adjustments can never be a bad sign. If they were totally uninterested in you, they would just say ‘thank you’ and move on–but in retrospect, there didn’t seem to be a strong correlation between adjustments & acceptances (or between asking for an extra monologue and acceptances). But that could be because the sample size is small. </p>
<p>I don’t think you can anticipate what school will ask for an adjustment and what will not. I’m sure it depends on the particular panel, the auditioner, and the year.</p>
<p>Definitely have four monologues prepared, at least: two classical, two contemporary, all contrasting. And if they DO ask you for an adjustment, TAKE their suggestions to the very best of your ability! Believe it or not, I knew a young man who <em>argued</em> with the panel! Needless to say, he didn’t get accepted…</p>
<p>Has anyone every been asked about their favorite playwright ? Like in alot of detail?</p>
<p>itzkatie…my s has been asked about his favorite playwright and his favorite actor. Not in a whole of detail but just enough so they knew why they were his favorites.</p>
<p>This is a really helpful thread.
It would be really helpful if some of the freshman on this forum could chime in a bit to let this years auditionees know some of the actual adjustments that they can expect at BFA program auditions in general, as well as what kinds of questions are usually asked as part of the interview? Some schools say there will be a group interview. I don’t exactly understand how that works. Is there one question that gets asked expecting that everyone next in line will then answer that same question?</p>
<p>My son is going for MT but at his UArts audition he was asked to do his contemp monologue (normally spoken to his girlfriend) pretending his girlfriend was about to jump out of a window. He was also asked to do his other monologue sitting across the table from the adjudicator looking directly into her eyes. </p>
<p>He left that audition feeling like the adjudicator did not like him but he ended up being accepted. He was also accepted to Rider U where they did no adjustments. Just be yourself, try to be prepared for anything and don’t read too much into whether or not you are doing what you think they want.</p>
<p>Yes. The thing I have found that is vitally important is NOT to keep the adjudicator’s advice in mind from one audition to the other. I did a very fiery Tennessee Williams monologue early on for Emerson, and the auditor asked me to bring it down and breathe deeply during, giving the whole thing a “slow burn” feel. Whenever I used that monologue afterwards, I took that note-- and was universally asked to be more dynamic, whether through explosive and overt anger or soft-spoken sadism.</p>
<p>The lesson to be learned here is that every theatrical professional sees works differently. What you’ve got to do as the actor is bring your own interpretation to the table; if they want to make a change, they’ll ask you to.</p>
<p>I don’t think the auditor’s adjustments are intended to offer a more “correct” way of doing the monologue, but to see the applicant perform in different ways, perhaps to strip away the coaching of a performance and uncover the natural performer, and to see how well the applicant responds to direction. </p>
<p>Agree that applicants should not read ANYTHING into whether or not they are asked to make adjustments. It is not a sign of acceptance, rejection, appreciation or criticism. The outcomes for all of the posters on CC very clearly demonstrate that.</p>