Below you will find basic information about what we expect from an audition, portfolio review, or interview. All students must audition or interview on campus in order to be officially accepted into the OU School of Drama.
All OU School of Drama applications must be submitted through the GetAcceptd portal.
Please read the following checklist to ensure that your application procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
The University of Oklahoma preliminary auditions and interviews are held at regional thespian conferences throughout the country. To reserve an audition/interview time, please call the Helmerich School of Drama office at 405-325-4021 or email drama_recruitment@ou.edu.
The on-campus audition is our chance to get to know one another. We begin at 8:30 in the morning with an informal breakfast and meet-and-greet allowing you and your family to spend time with the faculty and some of the current students. The morning is full of informative sessions covering financial aid and scholarship opportunities, housing and food services, and specific information to help you discern whether The University of Oklahoma School of Drama would be a good fit for you.
You must prepare two contrasting monologues that do not exceed two minutes in length. Perform characters close to yourself in age. The characters should be as authentic and honest as possible. We encourage you to do contemporary text for both monologues, but if you have a strong background in classical/heightened text, you are welcome to choose a classical piece as your second monologue. Do not do extreme characterizations of body, voice, or speech (extreme age, illness, insanity, handicap, etc.). Do not use a dialect or accent. Use your own speech, even if the character would normally speak with an accent. Monologues must be memorized and fully prepared. In your introduction, announce the name of the play and character and begin.
The fewer the props and costumes the better. We will provide you with a chair if you need it.
Dress in comfortable clothes that permit freedom of movement. You will be involved in acting, voice, and movement workshops during the day. Wear sensible shoes. Bring audition clothes to change into that reflect your personality as an artist and actor.
Applicants for Design and Scenic Technology will have portfolio reviews and interviews with members of our Design & Production faculty on this day.
Know your current GPA and ACT/SAT scores: these are crucial in determining your eligibility for OU admission. For specifics regarding university academic requirements, please consult the University of Oklahoma Admissions Manual or call Prospective Student Services 405-325-2151.
These interviews primarily discuss your previous experience in either Dramaturgy or Stage Management and your interests for future study and exploration.
Please bring a sample of your creative or non-fiction writing. The interview will address your work and interest in theater history, dramatic literature, criticism, dramaturgy, playwriting, and/or directing.
Stage managers interview with the Design & Production Faculty, along with prospective designers & technicians. If you have a prompt book (or paperwork) from a previous production, bring it to your interview. A current resume is required.
All applicants must know their current GPA and ACT/SAT scores: these are crucial in determining eligibility for OU admission. For specifics regarding university academic requirements, please consult the University of Oklahoma Admissions Manual or call Prospective Student Services 405-325-2151.
Your On-Campus Audition is for Drama admission in the Acting emphasis.
These interviews primarily discuss your previous experience in Dramaturgy, Scenic Technology, or Stage Management and your interests for future study and exploration. For Design: please be prepared to talk about your specific area of interest. You may bring a portfolio of design work (drawings or photos) and a current resume to illustrate your previous work. For Dramaturgy : please bring a sample of your creative or non-fiction writing. The interview will address your work and interest in theatre history, dramatic literature, criticism, dramaturgy, playwriting, and/or directing. For Stage Management : please bring a prompt book from a previous production if you have one. This is not a requirement.
Prepare 2 contrasting monologues, each approximately one-minute length. You will have no more than two minutes total performance time. One of your monologues should be from a classical play (written prior to 1920); the other should be contemporary comedy or drama.
Comfortable dress for the workshops is entirely appropriate for your audition. Wear sensible shoes. Ties are not required or recommended.
Include your resumé when you submit your application to the Helmerich School of Drama. You may also submit an additional copy at registration when you arrive for your audition if you desire. You will not have the opportunity to hand the faculty information when you enter the theatre for your audition.
Auditions will take place in the afternoon, and you will be assigned a specific time slot. A stage manager will announce your name to the faculty members viewing the auditions before you enter. Introduce yourself before you begin your audition: include your name and the character and play title for each of your monologues.
Your 2 minutes begin when you start your monologues, following your introduction. Perform the first piece, pause, then perform the second. After you finish, the faculty may have something to say to you; if not, you may say "thank you" and exit.
