• 2025-2026 Theatre Audition Requirements

     

    Overview

    The mission of the Kinder HSPVA Theatre Department is to graduate well-rounded theatre crafts-persons who can effectively represent themselves in all aspects of theatre. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment that develops strong theatre artists as they prepare for college training. Therefore, the Kinder HSPVA Theatre Department evaluates applicants in the following areas: Acting, Design/Theatre Technology, and Musical Theatre. 

     

     

    When are auditions and callbacks?

     

    The first stage of auditions for the 2025-26 school year will be virtual. 

     

    Submissions will be accepted from

    December 10, 2024 – February 21, 2025.  Please check our website at that time for uploading instructions.  Each assignment and video will be uploaded individually.  The submission deadline for materials is Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM CT. 

     

    Callbacks are by invitation only.  You will be notified if you have received a callback no later than February 26, 2025.  Callback instructions will be provided to students at that time.  No additional material will need to be prepared.  Hold the date of Saturday, March 1, 2025, for a possible in person callback.

     

     

    What will I submit?

     

    1. 30-60 second Introduction video (required)– Brief introduction of who you are and why you want to attend Kinder HSPVA’s Theatre Department.
    2. Monologue (required) – Approximately 60 seconds of a memorized monologue, preferably from a published play. (Required of all applicants.)   See detailed info below.
    3. Musical Theatre Song (required) – An approximately 60 second video of a prepared musical theatre or song.  You may sing acapella or with a track.
    4. Choose option A or B:
      1. PORTFOLIO - If you are interested in Technical Theatre and Design you may upload a maximum of 10 elements.  These can be images, PDFs, or videos representing your design and creative work, such as artwork, drawings, paintings, collages, and/or photographs of sets, costumes, props, lighting, or other subjects. This should not include a resume.  Submit material that represents yourself.  One of these elements must be a video of you discussing the work you submitted.

    OR

     

      1. CREATIVE CONCEPTS  - If your main interest is Acting or Musical Theatre and you have limited design experience, complete the four (4) exercises developing a costume, set, hair/makeup and  collage based on the character from your monologue or song.  You may draw, paint, or use other materials (photos, magazines, etc.).  You can use the worksheets provided or your own paper or materials.   A video is not required.

     

    What tips will be helpful to prepare me for the audition?

    Monologue

    • Prepare your monologue thoroughly.
    • We encourage you to choose a monologue from a published play written since 1950 (no classical, no Shakespeare). Spoken song lyrics are not a monologue.
    • Read the play in its entirety and honor the play's given circumstances.
    • Choose a character that you could be cast to play. That person would be close to your age and life experiences.
    • The monologue should show a strong arc. In other words, you should perform and feel very differently from the beginning to the end of the piece. We want to see the range of what you can do.
    • As you perform your piece, you should see the person you are talking to in your imagination. Know who you are talking to and why you are talking to him or her.  Do not speak directly to the camera.
    • Really try to put yourself in the character's shoes and perform the piece honestly.
    • For the video:
      • Before starting your monologue, say the name of the play your monologue is from and the name of the character you will be playing.  This does not count in the 60 seconds.
      • You should be visible from the knees or waist up. 
      •  We prefer that you stand in front a blank wall.  Please no busy backgrounds.
      •  Please have decent to good lighting.
      • To sum up, do your best when it comes to the video quality but do not stress about it.  We are judging your acting, not the production quality of the video.

     

    Musical Theatre Song

    • Perform and upload 16 bars (or approximately one [1] minute) of a memorized musical theater or pop song. Songs can be performed with live or recorded accompaniment or without music ‘a cappella.  Choose a song performed by a relatable character and decide to whom your character is singing and why.
    • At the beginning of your video state the title of the song, the name of the character, and full title of the musical.

    Portfolio

    • Your portfolio should reflect your unique personality.  It should show how you respond to the world artistically and creatively.  It may include work from art classes.
    • The portfolio should have theatre-related items that reflect your interest in theatre.  These items should reflect knowledge of a play or musical.
    • The portfolio should give the theatre faculty an idea of your individual artistic interests, curiosities, and passions.

     

    Design Worksheets

    • If your main interest is Acting or Musical Theatre and you have limited design experience, complete the four (4) exercises developing a costume, set, hair/makeup and collage based on the character from your monologue or song.  You may draw, paint, or use other materials (photos, magazines, etc.).  You can use the worksheets provided or your own paper or materials.   A video is not required.  

     

    General Tips

    • Ask a teacher at your school to help you prepare for your audition. 
    • Rehearse your monologue and song in front of teachers, family or friends so you are comfortable performing them for the HSPVA Theatre Faculty.
    • Do not call or email HSPVA with questions about the monologue, song, portfolio or worksheets.  Use your best judgement and creativity when deciding what to prepare.

     

    Recommended Reading

    • Audition by Michael Shurtleff
    • Acting Songs by David Brunetti
    • The Enraged Accompanist’s Guide to the Perfect Audition by Andrew Gerle

  • Audition materials for the 2025-26 school year will be accepted at https://app.getacceptd.com/kinderhspva beginning December 10, 2024.  The deadline to submit materials is February 21, 2025. 

    Instructions:

    1. If you have not already created an account with Acceptd, you will need to do that first.  Acceptd is a platform used by some of the best colleges, universities, conservatories, summer programs, and competitions.  This platform is NOT connected with CHOOSEHISD.org and your username and passwords do not need to match.  We suggest that you sign up as a parent, and when adding your student, indicate that the student does NOT have an email account.  If you include your student’s email address, they will need to verify the account before you submit their application.
    2. After creating an account, you’ll need to browse programs and search for “HSPVA” or make sure you are logged in and click HERE
    3. Complete the application and upload materials as directed.

    For technical questions, please visit Acceptd's Applicant Help Desk.