First things first: Auditions!

Here are the specific requirements for our various arts disciplines.

Theater : Acting Component

• Select a contemporary published play from your local library or bookstore that you like. (No original material or poetry.)
• Read the play. Be prepared to discuss: What was the theme/what was the playwright trying to say? What devices were used to articulate ideas? Was the play humorous; realistic? What did you learn?
• Prepare a 1-1/2 to 2-minute monologue from the play. (A monologue is a speech from a play where one character is talking to himself or other characters for a period of time. If a character interrupts the speech you can usually skip their interjection and continue the monologue.)
• The monologue should be fully memorized.
• Be prepared to read aloud a portion of a script or other text.
• Bring a copy of your selected play with you.
• Come to the audition on time, dressed in loose fitting clothes and tennis shoes, and be prepared for movement or warm-up exercises.

Technical Theater

• Be prepared for an interview on why you chose to audition for the Technical Theater Department.
• Prior to the audition, prepare the following three documents (which must be presented in typed format):
  
  • A paragraph defining Technical Theater. (For help, look for information in your local library or on the Internet for the terms Stagecraft or Theater Production.)
  • Prepare a resume of a list of any experience you have in the fields of technical theater, carpentry, audio-visual, electronics, computers, and/or crafts.
  • Prepare a typed 350-word essay that describes your interest in any aspect of technical theater, for example, lights, scenery design, sound design, special effects. Also, please explain what you plan to do with the training you will receive from Ellington's Technical Theater Department.

Museum Studies

• Write a 200-word essay on a memorable museum experience.
• Bring in three personal objects that tell something about yourself, present them as a display, and discuss the reasons for your selections.
• Exhibit knowledge of the arts, science, or history by performing either a musical piece or a dramatic presentation.
• Present five finished visual art pieces; or a science or social studies project/report completed during the past school year.

Visual Arts

• Students must have a letter of recommendation from an art instructor or arts official.
• Students must present a portfolio of at least five (5) or more works of art - on white drawing paper, 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper or larger - in the following categories:

1. A self-portrait


2. A drawing of a bicycle


3. A drawing of an open closet in their home (use color: pencils, makers or watercolors)


4. A drawing of a landmark in the city


5. Your choice of anything of your own creation.


6. Produce a figure drawing from a dressed model during the audition
   

• Write a short essay about the form and content of a work of art presented

The Art Department faculty will interview the students.

Literary Media Arts

Students must submit a portfolio with at least three strong writing samples:

• A personal essay of at least 350 words that states your personal goals as an artist.
• Two other forms of narrative (poem, short story, fiction, non-fiction, play, etc.).

• One letter from an English teacher.
• One letter from someone who has read or critiqued your work.

The interview will consist of a dialogue with faculty, as well as a written component.

Dance

Students auditioning for the dance department must:

• Wear leotards and tights or shorts and a tee shirt.
• Have hair off faces.
• Remove all jewelry.
• Show a strong desire to work diligently on technique.
• Display a willingness to accept discipline.
• Exhibit flexibility, a natural sense of movement, musicality, and an innate ability to follow directions.
• Provide documentation of a full physical exam upon audition.

Music Department

Vocal Music

• Prepare a musical selection chosen from the list below.
• Take a music theory placement test.
• Be tested for musical response.
• Sight read for placement

Present one memorized piece from this list:

• Lift Every Voice and Sing
• The Star-Spangled Banner (O, Say Can You See)
• Caro mio ben (Italian)
• America (My Country Tis of Thee)
• Climb Every Mountain
• Let us Break Bread Together On Our Knees

Also, students who are studying with a private voice teacher may sing an art song in English, Italian or German.

Instrumental Music

All students auditioning in instrumental music must:

• Take a music theory placement test.
• Prepare a musical selection for the audition and bring sheet music for the selection.
• Be tested on musical response.
• Be required to sight - read.
• Students must bring their own musical instrument (except for string bass, piano, and percussion).
• Please bring sticks and/or mallets if needed.
• Students may not use any tape-recorded music for accompaniment.

Once you've submitted an application (remember, the deadline for the 2009-10 school year is January 20, 2009!) and the audition is behind you, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Letters of acceptance for qualified students will be mailed shortly, so keep checking that mailbox! Students are accepted into Ellington based upon their audition results, letters of recommendation, report cards and attendance. The results from the academic placement test may influence the admissions decision.

Once you're accepted, there are still a few more steps,so keep up the good work!

Academic Placement Assessment
We request that all accepted students take an Academic Placement Assessment, which consists of four parts: math, vocabulary, reading comprehension and essay.

Interview
When you come in for an interview with your parents or guardians, we'll review Ellington's first-year program (courses and required tutoring) and information about what we expect of you. Ellington's course of study is rigorous, and this interview helps us find out how serious you are about your studies. You and your family should make your decisions about attending Ellington based upon information shared at this interview. The recommendations made by Ellington staff reflect their long-term experience with curriculum demands and their assessment of your ability to meet those demands.