PVA Auditions, Interviews and Portfolios

Application Materials

• Audition Form (found in  your UNC Application Portal after submission of the UNC Application)
  • Contact information for 2 references
  • Photo/headshot (optional)
  • Video Introduction (optional)

Audition Requirements

• Live Auditions
  • Prepare three monologues: two contrasting monologues not to exceed two minutes combined, and an additional one-minute contrasting monologue.
  • All applicants will be required to perform their two contrasting monologues and may be asked to perform the third.
  • In-person auditions are scheduled in 3-minute slots. Please make sure your slate/introduction and 2 monologues fit within the 3-minutes. If the faculty wish to see your third monologue, they will ask for it in the audition room.

• Video Auditions
  • Prepare two contrasting monologues not to exceed two minutes total.
  • Please make sure to slate/introduce yourself and your monologues in your audition video. This is not included in your two minute time limit.

Application Materials

• Audition Form (found in your UNC Application Portal after submission of the UNC Application)
  • Contact information for 2 references
  • Photo/headshot (optional)
  • Video Introduction (optional)
  • Due to the academic rigor of the Musical Theatre program we do ask that applicants have a minimum GPA of a 3.0.

Audition Requirements

• In-person Auditions
  • Auditions will be held in 10-minute slots. Students will be required to prepare two full songs in addition to a monologue not to exceed 60 seconds in length. The student can choose the first song they would like to sing. Should the adjudicating faculty wish to hear more, they will ask to hear a cut or all of the student’s second song and the monologue. Students should also be prepared to work with the adjudicating faculty members so that they may gain a better sense of training and potential.
    • One musical theatre song selection written prior to 1970
    • One song written during or after 1970. This selection can be from any time period or era of the musical theatre repertoire or another genre entirely, such as, but not limited to, rock, pop, gospel, etc.
    • One 60-second monologue (no specific requirements)
  • While there is a rigorous dance curriculum in the UNC Musical Theatre program, no dance audition is required in the application process. Should admitted students commit to the program, there will be a dance placement call held at the start of the school year to place students in a suitable level of dance courses.
  • Students must bring their own sheet music to the audition.  We prefer your music to be double-sided on 8.5” x 11” paper, 3-hole punched and placed in a 3-ring binder for the accompanist.  No bound books or loose-leaf paper music will be permitted.  In-person auditions will utilize a live accompanist and no pre-recorded tracks are permitted unless specifically asked by the adjudicating faculty prior to the audition day.

• Video Auditions
  • Students are asked to perform two full songs and one monologue. See below for specific requirements:
    • One musical theatre song selection prior to 1970
    • One song written during or after 1970. This selection can be from any time period or era of the musical theatre repertoire or another genre entirely, such as, but not limited to, rock, pop, gospel, etc.
    • One 60-second monologue (no specific requirements)
  • While there is a rigorous dance curriculum in the UNC Musical Theatre program, no dance audition is required in the application process. Should admitted students commit to the program, there will be a dance placement call held at the start of the school year to place students in a suitable level of dance courses.
• Off-Campus Auditions
  • The UNC Musical Theatre program participates in the off-campus audition events listed below. If you audition at Chicago or Los Angeles Unifieds, please contact us directly to schedule an audition. If you plan to participate in CAP United or the Colorado Thespian Conference, you will be registered directly through that organization and do not need to contact us.
  • 2025-2026 Off-Campus Audition Locations:
    • CAP United: November 14-16, 2025
    • Colorado Thespian Conference: December 11-13, 2025
    • Chicago Unified Auditions: February 2-4, 2026
    • Los Angeles Unified Auditions: February 7, 2026

A note about auditioning from Professor Ryan Driscoll, Head of Musical Theatre:

Application Materials

• Audition Form (found in your UNC Application Portal after submission of the UNC Application)
  • Contact information for 2 references
  • Copy of current transcript (we can use the same one you send in for your university application)
  • Work samples of theatre production work
    • Example: show paperwork, images, sketches
  • Theatre resume or list of relevant performance, production, or work experience (optional)
  • Video Introduction (optional)
  • Applicants with a GPA of 2.7 or below are welcome to submit an application but may be ineligible to interview pending a transcript review. If your GPA is 2.7 or below, we will contact you after reviewing your transcript to let you know whether or not you may proceed to the interview portion.

Interview Requirements

• 15-minute interview with Design and Technology faculty member(s) conducted in-person or virtually
  • Present/show work samples

Application Materials

• Audition Form (found in your UNC Application Portal after submission of the UNC Application)
  • Contact information for 2 references
  • Copy of unofficial transcripts (we can use the same one you send in for your university application)
  • Theatre Education Essay : Be prepared to submit a 250 to 500 word answer to each of these questions:
    • Why do you think theatre education is important for children and teenagers? Discuss how you think it can be an effective method to help build both individuals and a community.
    • What makes for a quality learning environment for young people? Discuss your ideal environment and use specific examples from your past to support your argument.
      • What kind of teacher would you like to be?
      • Why teaching? Why now?
      • What are some obstacles you think teachers face and how do you plan on facing these obstacles?
    • Discuss your journey in education.
      • What are some academic challenges or successes from your past?
      • How did you overcome an obstacle?
      • How did you succeed?
      • How do you think these experienes will help you in college?
      • How do you plan on being successful academically in college?
      • How do you keep yourself organized and on task?
  • Theatre Resume or List of relevant performance, production, or work experience (optional)
  • Video Introduction (optional)
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply for admission to the Theatre Education program.

Interview Requirements

• 15-minute interview with a Theatre Education faculty member conducted in-person or virtually

Include the following materials in a single PDF document:

• Cover Page
• • First and last name
• List and descriptions of artwork
  • Title of each work
  • Media used
  • Description of each piece (50 words or less)
• Images of artwork
  • Include five different pieces
  • One piece per page
  • Include only one image of each piece
• Statement of Educational Goals
  • Between 250 and 500 words

• Scan/photograph flatwork (drawings, paintings, etc.) to fill the digital image completely. Do not include a border, matte, or frame.
• We strongly encourage incoming first-year students to include work in a variety of media.
• If you are submitting video, animation, or other time-based work, please include a web link in your PDF.
• If you have an online portfolio or professional website, you may include a link on your cover page.

• Photograph your work on a large, smooth, neutral, solid-colored background (gray or beige) without distracting textures.
• Do not shoot your artwork on a pure white or black background (the dramatically light or dark color of the background will interfere with your camera’s internal metering system and produce an under- or over-exposed image).
• Shoot your work so that it is perpendicular to the camera lens. Otherwise, the lens will create unusual distortions.
• When shooting two-dimensional pieces, it may be easier to lay your work on the ground and position yourself above the work. Using a ladder or tripod may help you position yourself high enough to avoid cropping any of the artwork. Large work may need to be propped up on a support and shot straight on.
• When shooting three-dimensional work, make sure to position the work carefully for the most descriptive point of view. This may require positioning yourself above or below the work, or shooting an additional view from a different vantage point.
• Shoot tightly, emphasizing the piece you are shooting. Pay attention to everything in your frame. Do not include mattes, frames or distracting background elements.
• Do not shoot any framed artwork under glass. The camera will capture distracting highlights and reflections in the glass.
• Shoot your work outdoors, preferably on an overcast day. Do not shoot in a bright sunny location. The sunlight will create extreme highlights and distracting shadows. If you cannot shoot on an overcast day, then place your work on the north side of a building, again to avoid extreme lighting.
• If your camera has manual controls, you should “bracket” your exposures, meaning you should shoot at the camera’s suggested meter reading as well as shooting two additional frames, one under and one over the suggested meter reading. For example, if your automatic setting records the piece at f/11, shoot another at f/16 and another at f/8.
• Ask your art teacher for assistance if you are unsure about capturing good quality images for your portfolio.

You are welcome, but not required, to use one of our templates to create your scholarship portfolio. If you choose to use a template, you may modify it as you see fit.

• Microsoft Word Template
• Microsoft PowerPoint Template
• PDF Template