We get it. Auditioning is nerve wracking. We want you to feel comfortable and do your best!
JMC Academy is committed to making our audition process safe and inclusive. You will be supported by our audition panel and Student Admissions team through every step of the process. Throughout the audition, we want to get to know you as a performer, your strengths and where we can help you grow. We encourage you to be open, ask questions and have fun!
The Music Theatre audition process consists of:
- Solo Acting Audition
- Solo Voice Audition
- Dance Audition
- Interview
What do you need to prepare?
Solo Acting Audition
You will be required to memorise and prepare one (1) contemporary monologue approximately 1 - 2 minutes in length for your audition. You may select the monologue from the JMC suggestions below or they may be of your own choosing. If you choose to select your own monologue, please ensure it is a contemporary piece.
Solo Voice Audition
At your solo audition, you will also be required to perform one (1) character song, approximately 2 - 3 minutes in length for your audition. You may select the song from the JMC suggestions below or they may be of your own choosing. If you choose to select your own song, please ensure the piece comes from a musical.
An accompanist will be present in the room as you complete your solo voice audition. Whether you select a song from the list of JMC suggestions or your own choice, you are required to bring sheet music in a folder in the correct key for your audition.
Dance Audition
Alongside your acting audition, you will be invited to a dance audition. You do not need to prepare anything for this session, we will guide you through a choreographed routine that will be taught on the day so please come dressed comfortably in dance or active wear attire that allows for ease of movement and flexible soled shoes.
How the day will run
Arrive a little before your scheduled time. Come to the front desk and introduce yourself.
Then the Course Director and Student Admissions staff will bring you to the audition room and then the process begins!
- You start your audition by performing your contemporary monologue.
- You will then move on to your character song.
- During the audition we will workshop your song and/or your monologue. The audition panel may offer you direction and/or performance tips.
- Your dance call may be before or after your solo audition depending on your registration.
- We will then invite you to an interview with our Student Admissions team to chat about your aspirations as a music theatre performer.
Tips
- Be Well-Prepared: Dedicate ample time to rehearse your pieces. Knowing your material thoroughly boosts confidence and is the cornerstone of a successful audition.
- Know Your Pieces: Understand the emotions and motivations in your song and monologue. Dive deep into your characters' backgrounds.
- Tell The Story: Every song and monologue is a story and your task is to be a storyteller. Whether it's a heartfelt ballad or a comedic monologue, show us the emotions.
- Connect to Your Pieces: A genuine connection to your material is palpable to the audience. Find personal points of resonance within the song and monologue. Build a connection with both the panel and the characters you're portraying. This connection not only enriches your performance but also creates an emotional bridge between you and the audience.
- Care for Your Voice and Body: Your voice and body are your instruments, and you must care for them! Prioritise vocal warm-ups to ensure your voice is flexible and ready to perform. Stay hydrated and avoid straining your voice. A well-cared-for voice and body contribute to confident and expressive performances.
- Have fun: We are here to support you!
Feel free to explore our guide below for some tips on how to best prepare and enjoy your audition with us along with sample monologues and a list of voice-type specific repertoire which you can use.
FAQ's
An acting school audition is different from an audition out in the industry. We are not looking for a particular “type” or fitting an actor to a particular role. This is your audition – so it is about you.
Broadly we look for three main qualities in our Music Theatre and Acting applicants:
1. Instinct – This relates to your interpretation of both your song and monologue and your choices in performance. We want to see a performer who has made bold choices, who has given thought to the given circumstances of the story and is working as organically as they can, moment to moment in the audition.
2. Trainability – We want to make sure you are the right fit for our course, that you are ready for the training and that your talents and skills will grow as you progress through the course.
3. Readiness – This relates to your personal readiness for the course. JMC's Music Theatre course is highly rewarding but also can be very challenging. We want to make sure that you are personally prepared and have appropriate resources and support networks to help you navigate the demands of the course.
Whilst having prior training in acting, singing or dance is great, it is not necessary to complete Music Theatre at JMC Academy. We are looking for people who are trainable in these areas and have a natural aptitude for movement and music. Our team of experts are able to develop you into an industry ready music theatre performer.
We'd love to chat about your choices for your audition. Our Student Admissions team are always available to chat, just reach out to your dedicated Student Admissions Advisor (they would have been in contact with you regarding your application and audition).
If you're still unsure of what to pick or need some inspiration, check out our Monologue and Character Song guides.
Memorise!
Make sure you know your lines and your music back to front. We may want to workshop your pieces with you so don't get too stuck in your choices.
Move!
Practice moving, you don't have to be an expert dancer but practice moving your body to music, look up a piece of choreography from a musical online and practise learning it in small chunks.
Act!
Practice your character work, see you can express characterisation through movement and voice. Remember to make big and bold choices - show us what you can do!
Breathe.
Take deep breaths, know we are here to support you through this process and want to see you succeed. Whatever the outcome of your audition, the process will help you to learn more about yourself and who you are as a performer.
There are three possible outcomes from your audition:
- ACCEPTED: In this case you have successfully met all of the entry requirements and the Board of Studies has agreed to offer you a place in the course.
- CALL – BACK: In this case, you have done some great work in your audition and we really want to see more of you! Sometimes we might ask you to prepare something specific for your call back, but this all depends case by case.
- UNSUCCESSFUL: In this case you have not met the entry requirements for the course at this stage. You are always welcome and encouraged to re-audition for our next intake.
You will be notified of the outcome of your audition within 3 – 5 working days. This time is required to assess your application fully and for the necessary academic and administrative processes to be completed.
Selection of Applicants
Selection is based entirely on the audition results and offers will be made based on the applicant’s suitability for the course and JMC’s training methods. Applicants who receive an offer will be notified by telephone and email or mail and will be given seven (7) days to make a decision to accept.
Finally…
Everyone gets nervous! We know that and that’s why we support you all the way through it. It is actually fun! You will learn a lot from the audition and it’s a great way to get to know the team and the academy.
We look forward to meeting you! Should you have any questions or concerns, please call us on 1300 410 311.
BREAK A LEG!
