Callbacks are offered on a rolling basis—the sooner you submit your materials, the better.
Bonus Material: Audition Insight
Liam Joynt, co-chair of the Acting BFA program, spoke with Charlie Murphy, host of the Mapping the College Audition podcast, and shared insight into the program, the college, and the audition process. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Admission to the BFA Acting program is highly competitive and based on a required audition process conducted by the Acting Faculty and a review of the student’s overall application by Admissions staff. Only exceptionally talented actors who can demonstrate talent, creativity, and commitment will be offered admission.
A contemporary monologue (written in the last 100 years).
Second Video
A classical monologue (the language or circumstance is heightened). Shakespeare is preferred but we are also excited by other classical/verse texts. Some examples of other classical authors include Aphra Behn, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Lope de Vega, and Kalidasa.
How to Choose Material For Your Video Audition
We are looking for imaginative actors capable of bringing their authentic self to a wide range of circumstances. Your two pieces should show a range. Often, that is taken to mean comedic vs. dramatic. That distinction is less important than your ability to show the range of your character’s physical life, relationships (who you are speaking to) and the given circumstances (where is the monologue taking place and what happened the moment before you started speaking).
Standards for Your Video Audition
Each monologue should be roughly 90 seconds to two minutes in length.
Only choose material from published plays and make sure you have read the entire play.
Please submit separate videos, not one large one.
Upload videos or share links in the Admissions Portal.
Please introduce each monologue with the following:
Your first and last name
The date
Name of the play
Name of the author
Name of the character
A Third Video OR an Essay
Share something about yourself as an artist in a video no more than 3 minutes long.
Alternatively, you can submit an essay on this topic. Whether you choose a third video or an essay, you must upload it with your Video Auditions in Step 1.
Ideas to spark your Artist’s Story:
What is your artist’s story?
What stories excite you and how do you hope to impact audiences?
Share your work as an artist outside of acting: play an instrument; share a painting or a song of yours. This is less about hearing 16 bars of a song and more about hearing your passion and artistry.
A snapshot will do if you do not have an 8 x 10 headshot.
Be sure that your name, address, email and cell telephone number(s) are included on your resume.
Your resume should include a complete list of theatrical activities.
Only pay when you are ready to submit your video audition as faculty will review upon payment, edits cannot be made after payment has been submitted.
The Process
If selected for a callback, students will be notifiedno later than the week of January 20. We encourage students to complete the requirements as soon as possible.
Callbacks will take place in person both on campus and in NYC. Please note that we will be accepting first time walk-in auditions in at the same time/place as Unified Auditions on January 25 and 26 at Ripley Grier Studios in NYC. On campus auditions will be held on February 15.
Acting audition times are set for Eastern Standard Time. For those in another time zone please plan accordingly.
Callbacks
If you receive an invitation for a callback, be prepared to work on your audition pieces with your auditors. This callback will be a work session and hopefully fun!
Callbacks will be held on the following dates:
January 25: Ripley Grier Studios
January 26: Ripley Grier Studios
February 15: Purchase College
More Information
Visit the Acting BFA program to get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
