On-campus Final Audition Dates
Nov. 15 & 16, 2024
Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2025
Feb. 28 & March 1, 2025
Live-virtual Final Audition Dates
Jan. 31, 2025
Feb. 28, 2025
Off-campus Audition Dates (Music Theater ONLY)
Dallas Moonifieds: Nov. 22-23, 2024
Chicago Unifieds: Feb. 3-6, 2025
Step 1: Apply to the University
Applicants must begin the OCU University Undergraduate/Transfer application prior to auditioning. Applications may be obtained by contacting the Undergraduate Admissions Office at (405)-208-5050 or online.
Step 2: Apply to
audition applications for the 2024-2025 season are OPEN!
Step 3: Audition Requirements
Select your major for specific requirements:
GENERAL PRESCREEN GUIDELINES
- Submit your prescreen audition recording through .
- Prescreen guidelines:
- Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.
- Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera.
- This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name.
- There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below).
- Label each video file with the piece you are performing, the show or playwright, and your first & last name.
- Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name
- Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name
- Examples:
- Slate – James Smith
- Your Daddy’s Son – Ragtime – Minnie Mouse
- Much Ado Ƶ Nothing – William Shakespeare – Luke Skywalker
- All song, monologue, dance, ballet, and wild card videos are recommended to be between 60-90 seconds each.
- Camera framing is simply the placement and position of the actor in the shot. We recommend a waist up frame so we can see your face and hear you clearly.
- Submit your prescreen audition materials by Oct. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Oct. 15. Only students who submit prescreen by Oct. 1 will be eligible for the November audition dates.
- Submit your prescreen audition materials by Dec. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Jan. 7.
VOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must submit three classical or art songs
- One piece must be in English
- One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
- One song of the applicant’s choice
- Each song file should be 60-90 seconds
- Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No "a cappella" singing.
FINAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Same as the prescreen requirements above. An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched and in a three-ring binder. All sheet music must be easily readable. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time.
You are not required to perform the songs you submitted for prescreening. Vocal Performance applicants may be asked to sing all or part of their prepared repertoire for the callback. Applicants must prepare entire pieces (not 16 bars or a "cut").
GENERAL PRESCREEN GUIDELINES
- Submit your prescreen audition recording through .
- Prescreen guidelines:
- Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.
- Record one introduction "slate" video stating your name. If you would like to include your pronouns, state them as well. Please speak loudly (project your voice) and clearly (articulate) directly at the camera.
- This is an opportunity for the auditors to get a sense of your personality and to learn the pronunciation of your name.
- There is no need to slate your individual performance videos & pieces. Instead, clearly label each video with your name and the title of the piece you are performing (see more details below).
- Label each video file with the piece you are performing, the show or playwright, and your first & last name.
- Title of Song – Musical/Show – Your First & Last Name
- Title of Play – Playwright – Your First & Last Name
- Examples:
- Slate – James Smith
- Your Daddy’s Son – Ragtime – Minnie Mouse
- Much Ado Ƶ Nothing – William Shakespeare – Luke Skywalker
- All song, monologue, dance, ballet, and wild card videos are recommended to be between 60-90 seconds each.
- Camera framing is simply the placement and position of the actor in the shot. We recommend a waist up frame so we can see your face and hear you clearly.
- Submit your prescreen audition materials by Oct. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Oct. 15. Only students who submit prescreen by Oct. 1 will be eligible for the November audition dates.
- Submit your prescreen audition materials by Dec. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Jan. 7.
SONGS
- One musical theater song from any time period.
- One song of your choice from any time period and in any style that best suits you (musical theater, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk, etc.). This song should contrast the style of the first selection.
Song Tips:
- Some examples of contrasting songs are fast tempo vs slow tempo, sustained melodic singing vs speech-like singing, dramatic vs comedic, belt vs head/falsetto mix.
- Many accompaniment tracks are available on YouTube and other websites. If you do not have a way to work with a live accompanist or don’t have access to a recorded track of your music, consider using an app that will play the piano part for you. Harmony Helper is one such app that allows you to take photos of your sheet music, upload them to the app and then generate a piano track that you can use.
MONOLOGUES
- One contemporary monologue (typically written after 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer.
- A professional writer is someone whose plays have been produced, but may not have been professionally published.
AND
- One classical monologue (typically written before 1950) from a published play or written by a professional writer.
- Classical monologues should have heightened language. Heightened language may include works by Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, August Wilson, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, Mike Bartlett, George the Poet, Andrea Gibson, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still utilize heightened language.
Monologue Tips:
- It is recommended to choose monologues that are age-appropriate (generally within 5-10 years of your actual age) and that feel authentic to your culture, background, and lived experience.
- Active monologues are often better for auditions; an active monologue takes place in real time and focuses on what you want and puts you in direct communication with an imaginary scene partner. This is often more successful in an audition situation than pieces that are a story or remembrance. Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid monologues that rely on extreme emotions as it can be hard to believably justify those responses in a short piece.
DANCE
- Show us your best version of dancing or moving.
Dance Tips:
- Make sure you can execute all the choreography well. It is to your advantage to choose steps and movement that highlight your strengths instead of your weaknesses.
- You may use recent videos of you from a show or concert, but it must just be you in the frame.
- Dance sample should be in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
- Dance media can be “self-choreographed”, but it must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
- Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. Fully move your body to the best of your ability.
WILDCARD
- Think about the wild card section as an opportunity to show your personality or share something about you. This media can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” Below is a list of ideas that have been successful in the past:
- Singing a pop song
- Singing or playing an original composition/song/poem or choreographed dance.
- Performing your own Saturday Night Live-styled skit where you create a comedic character
- Sharing a hobby or activity that means something to you
- Performing in a language other than English in which you are fluent
- Playing an instrument
- Making a “how-to” video on something you are good at, baking, calligraphy, gymnastics.
- If you are a dancer and want to show us a different style you excel in: Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, etc.
FINAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Same vocal and monologue requirements as above. There will NOT be a wildcard presentation at the callback. You are not required to perform the songs/monologues you submitted for prescreening. An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched and in a three-ring binder. All sheet music must be easily readable. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. Applicants who are called back for an in-person audition will participate in a live dance call. No prior dance experience is necessary. Please bring a change of clothes and shoes that you would be comfortable dancing in for the live dance call.
Applicants interested in the Music Theater and Vocal Performance Double Major must submit a prescreen that includes the requirements of both degrees, listed above. If called back, applicants will perform a live audition that also includes the requirements of both degrees, listed above.
Prescreen auditions are not required for Composition applicants. Students must still submit an application through before they audition on campus.
Composition applicants are required to sing two contrasting classical or art songs. One selection must be in English.
Composition auditions require the submission of a portfolio of original compositions and recordings. In addition, students will interview with the Composition faculty.
Prescreen auditions are not required for Music Education applicants. Students must still submit an application through before they audition on campus.
Vocal Music Education applicants are required to sing two contrasting classical or art songs. One selection must be in English.
In addition, Music Education applicants will interview with the Music Education faculty.
Applicants for the Music Education program are required to submit a one-page resume, which lists the applicant’s age-appropriate activities in music teaching such as: school section leader, choral instructor in religious communities, summer teaching activities in camp or other youth programs, volunteer activities, or any other sustained activity that demonstrates an age-appropriate interest in teaching or nurturing others. The applicant is also encouraged to list any special recognition or awards that have been received for their musical and/or academic achievements.
Students applying for our BA degree may choose either the Music Theater vocal requirements or the Vocal Performance requirements for the audition.
Questions?
Are you still thinking about whether or not to audition? That's okay, let's explore and see if we're a good fit for each other! and we'll follow up degree options, ensembles, scholarships, and tips for the college audition process.
We want to ensure your success and help you find your passion!
Please reach out to us at [email protected].
405-208-5050
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