More and more parents are contacting me to see what they can do to get their 15-year-old ready for college auditions. This prompted me to write my new book, “Before I GOT IN: The Young Teen’s College Audition Guide For Acting And Musical Theatre,” a prequel to my popular first book, “I GOT IN!”
In “Before I GOT IN!” I outline how to prep early for the highly competitive college audition process. If you are serious about pursing a career in the performing arts, my book lays the groundwork for what is to come if you are looking for training in your craft at the college level. The good news for you is that there are hundreds of BFA degree programs throughout the country that will allow you to get conservatory-style training in a liberal arts setting. So in the end, you have a triple win: the full four-year college experience, excellent training in your chosen field, and you will graduate with a college degree.
If you are a 14–16-year-old high school student, here is a six-point guide just for you, that outlines how to get ready for college auditions your senior year.
School Involvement
Participate in all the performing arts opportunities available to you at your high school. This might include show choir, band, thespian club, dance classes, plays, and musicals. Even working backstage can be great experience. Whether you attend a small high school, large public school, or a private or a performing arts school, let the faculty know you are focused and serious.
Learn to Audition
Take every opportunity you can to practice auditioning. Every performer knows that it can be uncomfortable at first, but the more you audition, the more confidence you will have when college auditions come along. Once you get the hang of it, you will learn to love auditioning. After all, you are doing what you love! Learn what to expect at the audition and how to show your best self.
Enter Competitions
There are a lot of high school level competitions that are fun and exciting. Some are entered through your high school and others are sponsored outside of school. These might include, University Interscholastic League (UIL) competitions, the National Shakespeare Competition, forensic competitions, the International Thespian Festival, and the YoungArts competition that leads to the Presidential Scholar in the Arts medal.
Take Private Lessons
You need to be developing your skill set beyond the classes your high school offers. If you are able to study outside of school, keep it up. Taking private lessons during your freshman and sophomore years in singing, acting, and dance, as well as the study of musical instruments will develop you as an artist and serve you well when it comes time to meet college auditors in your junior and senior years.
Summer Enrichment
Make the most of your time off in the summer. Take advantage of the many summer performing arts camps and pre-college programs. Decide what area you want to focus on and find the program that is right for you. I have an extensive listing of summer offerings in my book, “Before I GOT IN!” Learning more about your craft and working with other thespians outside of your locale will expand your world and enrich your summer experience.
Research Colleges
It is important that you and your parents begin learning about the various college performing arts programs. There are literally hundreds of BA, BFA, and BM degree programs throughout the country. I strongly recommend that you and your family attend the National Association of College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) Performing Arts College Fair in the fall of your freshman or sophomore year. It is free, and an excellent chance for you to meet college reps from around the country and educate yourself about theater degree programs.
It may be too early to know exactly what you want to major in at the college level, but you probably already know if you have a true passion for performing. So if you believe the serious study of acting or musical theater is in your future, begin early in your preparations for the college audition process. If you want to learn more, you may contact collegeauditioncoach.com for a consultation. And remember to always be joyous, be brave, and be yourself. Break a leg!
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