Audition & Program Requirements

Start your journey by applying to Sam Houston State University through Undergraduate Admissions.  

Apply to SHSU

Once you’ve applied to the university, choose an audition date and register online.

Register for Audition

• Musical Theatre Majors are encouraged to audition for all productions, including musicals and non-musicals.
• Theatre majors are encouraged to audition for non-musical productions.

Sophomore Gate (Musical Theatre Majors Only)
At the end of the second year—or first year for transfer students—Musical Theatre majors complete a faculty review to assess progress in acting, voice, and dance. This determines readiness to continue in the BFA program.

In order to register for an audition, all applicants must submit the following:

• Headshot
• Theatrical Resume
• Personal Statement (Written or Video)
  • Tell us about who you are, what you enjoy doing, what excites you about being a Theatre and/or Musical Theatre major.
• Portfolio Documents
  • Will include program-specific videos/portfolio pieces (outlined below)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • These may be emailed directly to Department Chair Nic Graves at nag023@shsu.edu
  • Are not due at time of audition registration and may be sumitted via email no more than 3 days prior to your audition.

What to Expect (In-Person Auditions)

• Performance of 2 contrasting, memorized monologues
  • Each monologue should be between 60-90 seconds long. Both monologues together no longer than three (3) minutes.
  • At least one must be from a contemporary script.
  • Both must be memorized.

Additional Requirements (Virtual Auditions)

• Monologue Videos - Two contrasting, memorized monologues
  • Each monologue should be between 60-90 seconds long. Both monologues together should total no longer than three (3) minutes.
  • At least one must be from a contemporary script
  • Both monologues must be memorized
    
    
• Wild Card Video - This video should showcase your personality and authenticity. Consider these ideas:
  • Why you want to pursue performing as a profession
  • What you enjoy outside of performing
  • How you realize and express your true essence in your everyday experiences

In order to register for an audition, all applicants must submit the following:

• Headshot
• Theatrical Resume
• Personal Statement (Written or Video)
  • Tell us about who you are, what you enjoy doing, what excites you about being a Theatre and/or Musical Theatre major.
• Portfolio Documents
  • Will include program-specific videos/portfolio pieces (outlined below)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • These may be emailed directly to Department Chair Nic Graves at nag023@shsu.edu
  • Are not due at time of audition registration and may be sumitted via email no more than 3 days prior to your audition.

What to Expect (In-Person Auditions)

• Faculty Interview
  • Be prepared to discuss your area of design and/or technical interest.
• Be ready to present at least five examples of your creative and technical work. Discuss your process, the successes you achieved, and key lessons learned throughout these productions.

Additional Requirements (Virtual Auditions)

• Work Examples - Upload three (3) samples of your creative and/or technical work
  • Format should be appropriate to the content (Document, Photo, Video, etc.)
  • Clearly label your portfolio pieces
    • Include show/project name and your role
    • Ex.: Last Name, First Name - Show Name - Set Design

In order to register for an audition, all applicants must submit the following:

• Headshot
• Theatrical Resume
• Personal Statement (Written or Video)
  • Tell us about who you are, what you enjoy doing, what excites you about being a Theatre and/or Musical Theatre major.
• Portfolio Documents
  • Will include program-specific videos/portfolio pieces (outlined below)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • These may be emailed directly to Department Chair Nic Graves at nag023@shsu.edu
  • Are not due at time of audition registration and may be sumitted via email no more than 3 days prior to your audition.

What to Expect (In-Person Auditions)

• Faculty Interview
• Teaching Demonstration
  • Teach a two (2) minute lesson on a fun and simple topic (ex.: making a paper airplane, preparing hot cocoa, or demonstrating calligraphy).
• Be ready to present at least 3 examples of your creative work, discussing your process, achievements, and lessons learned from each production.

Additional Requirements (Virtual Auditions)

• Work Examples - Upload three (3) samples of your creative and/or technical work
  • Format should be appropriate to the content (Document, Photo, Video, etc.)
  • Clearly label your portfolio pieces
    • Include show/project name and your role
    • Ex.: Last Name, First Name - Show Name - Set Design
• Teaching Demo Video - Three (3) minutes maximum; video should include:
  • Introduction: Introduce yourself and share a fun fact (e.g., a unique place you've been, an interesting hobby, or a favorite word).
  • Teaching Demo: Teach a 2-minute lesson on something fun and engaging, such as making a paper airplane, brewing the perfect cup of cocoa, or writing calligraphy letters. Focus on being clear and entertaining.

In order to register for an audition, all applicants must submit the following:

• Headshot
• Theatrical Resume
• Personal Statement (Written or Video)
  • Tell us about who you are, what you enjoy doing, what excites you about being a Theatre and/or Musical Theatre major.
• Portfolio Documents
  • Will include program-specific videos/portfolio pieces (outlined below)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • These may be emailed directly to Department Chair Nic Graves at nag023@shsu.edu
  • Are not due at time of audition registration and may be sumitted via email no more than 3 days prior to your audition.

Additional Musical Theatre Requirements

• Song Videos - Two contrasting 40-60 second (32-bar) cuts from published musicals
  • Video 1 - Uptempo
  • Video 2 - Ballad

What to Expect (In-Person Auditions)

• Performance of 2 contrasting, memorized monologues
  • Each monologue should be between 60-90 seconds long. Both monologues together no longer than three (3) minutes.
  • At least one must be from a contemporary script.
  • Both must be memorized.
• Two contrasting 40-second (32-bar) cuts from published musicals
• Participate in a dance call

Additional Requirements (Virtual Auditions)

• Monologue Videos - Two contrasting, memorized monologues
  • Each monologue should be between 60-90 seconds long. Both monologues together should total no longer than three (3) minutes.
  • At least one must be from a contemporary script
  • Both monologues must be memorized
    
    
• Wild Card Video - This video should showcase your personality and authenticity. Consider these ideas:
  • Why you want to pursue performing as a profession
  • What you enjoy outside of performing
  • How you realize and express your true essence in your everyday experiences

• Dance Video - Maximum 1-minute (Must be a solo clip)
  • One-minute clip demonstrating your best dance abilities.