SPA audition requirements
Students will be considered for placement at the School of Performing Arts on the basis of an audition and interview.
Auditions will be held at The Hutchins School. In addition to the room or rooms used for the auditions, a waiting room will be provided. At least two members of the SPA staff will form the Audition Panel and be present for all auditions. A parent or carer may accompany each applicant to the audition venue but may not be present while the applicant is performing. The decision of the Audition Panel is final and binding on all applicants. Auditions will be held in the first week of September.
Dance Auditions
Information for parents/carers and students
The audition
The Dance auditions will require the applicants to perform a dance routine in their chosen style, AS WELL AS participate in a dance workshop.
Each candidate must provide their own music for their dance routine.
The workshop session will assess the following:
- Learn a routine
- Perform that routine with minimal rehearsal
- Energy and creativity
- Concentration and focus
- Musical timing
- Technique
- Confidence
Clothing
Applicants should wear appropriate casual clothing and footwear.
Muscial Theatre Auditions
Information for parents/carers and students
The audition
The Muscial Theatre audition will require the applicant to complete a Drama and Dance audition.
Drama
The applicant will present a one and a half minute memorised monologue (age appropriate) and participate in a Drama workshop.
Dance
The applicant will present a Song and Dance routine and participate in a Dance workshop.
Each candidate must provide a copy of their monologue with their application and provide their own instrumental backing track when they participate in the Dance audition.
The workshop session will assess the following:
- Improvision techniques
- Initiative
- Energy
- Concentration and Focus
- Musical timing
- Technique
- Confidence
Clothing
Applicants should wear appriopriate clothing and footwear for each section of the audition.
Drama auditions
Information for parents/carers and students
The audition
The drama audition will consist of the applicant performing a mesmorised monologue from a recognised play AND participating in a workshop which will focus on improvised drama group work and unprepared script readings.
The prepared monologue should be no longer than three minutes in duration. Notes or scripts may not be used and a copy of the monologue must be handed to members of the Audition Panel on the day and copies forwarded to the School at least one week prior to the audition.
Refer to Dean Carey’s The Actors Audition Manual or Masterclass, as a reference and guide for preparation of the audition.
The workshop session will assess:
- Group work / co-operation and collaboration
- Self-discipline / concentration and focus
- Movement skills
- Vocal skills
- Adaptability to various roles
- Creativity and imagination
Clothing
Applicants are to wear comfortable clothing which is easy to move in, such as track suits, t-shirts, jeans and sloppy joes.
Music auditions
Information for parents/carers and students
The Music Faculty are inviting instrumentalists with skills in the following areas to apply for a scholarship: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. All instrumentalists are required to have completed at least Grade 5 AMEB or equivalent, and ideally have the ensemble experience and skills to take up a leadership role in a suitable instrumental ensemble.
The audition will include the performance of instrumental pieces and a sight reading assessment.
Applicants will be required to perform two prepared contrasting pieces (instrumental) neither of which will exceed five minutes duration. Three copies of the sheet music for both pieces must be handed to members of the Audition Panel on the day of the audition.
If an accompanist is required please contact the School who can advise.
Please bring your musical instrument to your audition. A piano, drum kit and amplifiers will be available.
The audition process will assess applicants’ ability in the following:
- Pitch and rhythm
- Creative ability and potential
- Genuine interest, self-discipline and commitment
- Concentration and focus
- The ability to work independently and co-operatively
- Technique
