Audition Information

AUDITION INFORMATION

Auditioning for RUPA 2024 – 2025

We are excited to get to know you and your talent as you navigate your search for the BA or BFA program that suits you the best! We would love to see you audition in person, if at all possible, but we do offer Zoom and Acceptd auditions, as well. Because our program is small but mighty, it’s very important that we get to know prospective students, and not just their talent, before we welcome them into the program. Please take a look at the information below and let us help you plan a visit to RU! We enthusiastically welcome transfer students into our programs, as well.

Pre-Screen Information

While acceptance into one of our competitive BFA tracks does require a carefully executed audition/interview, showing strong potential as a theater artist, Rockford University does not currently require a pre-screen audition.

AUDITION DATES 2024- 2025

Be a part of the amazing RUPA Class of 2029!  RU Ready?

During the 2024-2025 academic year, Rockford University will hold both on-campus auditions and virtual auditions via Acceptd and Zoom. We will also audition at a number of state thespian festivals and in Chicago during Chicago Unified Auditions. Virtual auditions will happen between 10am and 12pm (Central time) on the dates below. In-person auditions will begin at 1:00 pm with a campus tour beginning at 11am and a lunch with students and faculty at noon.

Saturday, October 5, 2024– you are invited to attend our main stage production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Friday or Saturday evening.

Saturday, November 23, 2024 – you are invited to attend our main stage production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing on Friday or Saturday evening.

Saturday, February 1, 2025 – this audition precedes the Chicago Unified Auditions (Feb. 3 – 6). If you are in Chicago for Unifieds, we can pick you up and bring you to Rockford for our audition on the 1st (and then take you back to Chicago).

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – we will be in Chicago during Chicago Unified Auditions. Times and location TBA.

Saturday, February 22, 2025 – you are invited to attend our main stage production of Blithe Spirit on Friday or Saturday evening.

If none of these dates is possible for you, please contact Laura Paruzynski (LParuzynski@rockford.edu to see if the faculty can accommodate an audition at another time.

Who needs to audition?

• Admission into any of the competitive BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) tracks—Acting/Directing, Design/Tech, Musical Theatre Performance, Dance, and Theatre Management—is by audition/interview only.
• An audition is also required for any student who wishes to be considered for a Performing Arts Scholarship (see below).
• Prospective students and transfer students who wish to pursue a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Theatre Arts are encouraged to audition/interview for the department before or during their first semester at the university.

All those auditioning must submit a resume and letter of recommendation.

How do I schedule my audition/interview?

1. Contact Laura Paruzynski, Admission Counselor, at LParuzynski@rockford.edu to schedule your in-person or virtual audition.
2. Log on to GetAcceptd and follow the instructions on the Rockford University page.

What does the Virtual GetAcceptd Audition look like?

1. You will request an audition date through the GetAcceptd platform.
2. In the week prior to the audition, you will be given a specific audition time for the audition date.
3. On the day of the audition, you’ll log on to GetAcceptd. At your audition time, you’ll be invited into the “room.”
4. After initial introductions, we will ask you to do your audition pieces for us through Zoom. If you are singing, please have your accompaniment track ready to go…no a cappella singing.
5. Then there will be a short interview. We’ll ask you a few questions and then ask if you have any questions for us. It’s important for us to get to you know you a little bit…and vice versa.
6. We will also have a Zoom “Green Room” available the day of the audition that will be hosted by 2 or 3 students. You can spend as much time as you like in that room asking questions and getting to know some current students.
7. You will typically hear from us in 10 – 14 days with a decision about your acceptance into the program.

We can also accommodate a Zoom virtual audition that is not through the GetAcceptd platform. Just let Laura Paruzynski know, and she will schedule that audition with you. It will be on a date other than our regular audition dates listed above.

What do I prepare for my audition/interview?

BFA in Acting/Directing:
Please prepare three contrasting monologues not to exceed four minutes in length collectively. Time will be strictly monitored.
One monologue should be contemporary/modern
One should be classical – Shakespeare or Jacobean (not Greek)

BFA in Musical Theatre Performance:
Please prepare two contrasting song selections, no more than 1 minute (or 32 bars) each, and two contrasting monologues—combined monologues should not exceed 2 ½ minutes. Please have sheet music clearly marked for the accompanist. Bring a change of clothes that you can move in for the dance audition, jazz shoes are preferred. For virtual auditions, have your accompaniment track ready to go…a cappella singing is not allowed. And please share a link to a 1- to 3-minute dance video in advance of your virtual audition in the genre of your choice (jazz, tap, musical theater, ballet, etc.). The choreography can be movement you’ve done in a past show or a self-choreographed solo.

BFA in Design/Technical Theatre:
Please bring your portfolio or evidence of previous work. Be prepared to discuss your prior experience, your desire and skills to pursue a career in theater, and your aspirations for the future.

BA in Theatre and BFA in Theatre Management:
Students will interview with faculty members from the performing arts department. Be prepared to discuss your background in theater, your desire to pursue theater as a major, and your career goals and aspirations. Students with a primary interest in acting should also prepare two contrasting monologues. Combined monologues should not exceed 2 ½ minutes. One of the monologues should come from plays of American realism. Students with a primary interest in technical theatre or design should bring a portfolio or evidence of their previous work.

Who is eligible for a Performing Arts Scholarship?

The Performing Arts Department recommends awards based on talent and potential. The Performing Arts scholarship is a talent scholarship of $64,000 – $80,000 over four years, depending on GPA and ACT or SAT score. If the Performing Arts Scholarship exceeds your Rockford University Academic Scholarship, it will replace it. Many Performing Arts Majors have been awarded one of our competitive scholarships. (The Colman Scholarship is a full tuition scholarship for all four years. The Trustee Scholarship provides 75% of tuition for all four years.) We are happy to take any outside scholarships and this will not reduce your RU scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in July, November, and March. Students who are awarded the Performing Arts scholarship in summer of 2024 (following International Theater Festival) must apply to the university before December 1, 2024, to be maintain that scholarship. There are a limited number of PA Scholarships available, and those who have not applied by that date will forfeit the scholarship to other eligible students. Please contact Laura Paruzynski at lparuzynski@Rockford.edu with any questions.