Audition

Ready To Apply To Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts?

FIRST YEAR APPLICANTS

All incoming first year undergraduate applicants and all transfer applicants must apply to Howard University via the Common Application.

Apply as a first-year student if you are currently in your last year of high school, have completed high school, are a GED recipient, or have completed a high school equivalency exam. If you are currently in high school and are part of a dual enrollment program, you should also apply as a first-year student.

Undergraduate applicants to the Departments of Art, Music or Theatre Arts should apply through the Office of Admissions and must meet the standards of admission to Howard University.

STANDARDIZED TEST REQUIREMENTS

Howard University does not require either the SAT or ACT for applicants to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. However, applicants may choose to submit their scores.

Applicants to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts can be considered for First Time In College Scholarships, whether or not they submit SAT/ACT scores, provided they apply by the designated deadline. The SAT/ACT is also not required for Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts scholarships.

UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER STUDENTS

Undergraduate students external to Howard University who are considering transferring to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts should be in contact with the Office of Admissions to learn more about the application process and the application requirements for transfer students.

Prospective transfer students should follow the application requirements for the appropriate major.

In addition, please note that each Department has specific requirements and instructions. Please review Transfer requirements from the Department of Art, Department of Music, and Department of Theatre Arts for more information.

INTRA-UNIVERSITY TRANSFER (IUT) STUDENTS
(Changing Your Major From One College/School to CoFA)

Are you a current HU student interested in transferring to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts?

To start the process, please consult with the Department of Enrollment and Academic Services in the Office of the Dean. Students must ascertain the Dean or Approved Designee's Howard-issued email to complete the Intra-University Transfer Form.

For most programs of study within the College of Fine Arts, students will need to audition, interview and/or have a portfolio review to be considered for transfer before submitting the transfer form. Please review IUT details from the Department of Art, Department of Music, and Department of Theatre Arts for more information. 

Students artistically admitted to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts via successful evaluation of audition, interview and/or portfolio will receive confirmation from the academic advisor to complete paperwork and update records as needed.

Please complete the online Intra-University Transfer Form. Once you complete this form, someone from the College will contact the student regarding the next step in the process. A 2.0 GPA is required to be artistically evaluated for transfer into the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.  

For more information about the process, please contact finearts@howard.edu.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS BY DEPARTMENTS

Department of Art

Requirements, Portfolio Reviews, Interviews and Deadlines

Department of Music

Requirements, Auditions, Interviews and Deadlines

Department of Theatre Arts

Requirements, Auditions, Interviews and Deadlines

First year undergraduate students interested in a Theatre Arts performance concentration (Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre) must apply under the Early Action or Early Decision admission plan. Under either of these plans, the Common Application must be submitted by November 15, as well as all supporting documents (test scores, letters of recommendation, audition materials, etc.). Once the application has been submitted, the applicant will have access to their student portal, where they can monitor the status of the application and schedule their in-person or virtual audition. All Theatre Arts performance concentration applicants must successfully complete the audition, as well as gain admission to the University.

The in-person auditions are being held on TBD.

Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre auditions will be offered in-person and virtually (applicants may choose the option they prefer in the student portal). 

 

The Office of Admissions notifies early action/early decision first year applicants with complete admission files of their admission decision in mid-December.

Transfer students must participate in the concentration placement process before they receive an acceptance from the university. However, transfer students who pass the concentration placement process cannot be accepted into the Theatre Arts program without an acceptance from the university.

All students must submit a Headshot/Resume or Design Portfolio and participate in an Interview.

2023-2024 Preparing for Concentration Placements and Interviews

Acting Auditions (with Placements)

Acting Area Audition/Placement:

We begin our audition process for consideration to be placed in our Acting area of concentration this November 2022 and February 2023.  The Callback audition will be held virtually. In addition, all prospective students must follow the application deadlines set by the Office of Admissions.

All materials for auditions must be received for prescreening by Tuesday, November 15th.  If selected, you will be notified about a callback for potential placement virtually.

Requirements should be uploaded to your student portal via the common application.

-              2 videotaped contrasting monologues (classical/contemporary/drama/comedy – no poetry, original material, or film scripts)

-              Audition material should be no more than 2 minutes for each piece

-              Resume/pix: best collection of material and experience as possible

-              Upload taped/video of audition materials through your student portal and send the link to kbey@howard.edu.

Musical Theatre Auditions (with Placement)

Musical Theatre Audition/ Placement Requirements:

We begin our audition process for consideration to be placed in our Musical Theatre area of concentration November 12th and November 19th. In addition, all prospective students must follow the application deadlines set by the Office of Admissions.

In- person auditions: November 12, 2022 and November 19, 2022

Virtual Audition Information:

All materials for auditions must be received for prescreening by Tuesday, November 15th.  If selected, a callback for potential placement will be held on virtually.

Requirements should be uploaded to your student portal via the common application.

Students who want to audition for the BFA Musical Theatre Program should prepare a package which includes the following:

  1. two musical theatre songs – one up tempo, one ballad (32 bars each)
  2. a one-minute contemporary monologue
  3. 2 minutes of dance choreography provided by the department
    1. In person auditioners will learn the combination from a teacher
    2. Virtual auditioners will be provided with an instructional video
  4. a current headshot and resume (artistic and academic)

In person auditions will be held on November 12th and November 19th. Students who cannot attend in-person auditions should schedule a virtual audition time through the student portal. If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email the Musical Theatre program coordinator at brittany.johnson3@howard.edu.

Dance Auditions (with Placements)

Dance Audition/ Placements Dates:

Saturday, November 12, 2022 and Saturday, November 19, 2022

A Sample of what will be required to be demonstrated in the Dance Placement submission is below. 

Placement Dates are listed above. If you have any questions, contact Professor Royce Zackery (royce.zackery@howard.edu).  Please bring your resume and headshot to the audition/placement session.

Virtual Option:  In person auditions are encouraged. However, if you are unable to make the in-person audition dates above. Through your student portal, please upload your video submission of the dance techniques below by 5:00 pm EST on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Howard University Dance Audition/ Placements will include:

Ballet Barre:

  • Pliè
  • Tendu
  • Degaggè
  • Ron de jambe
  • Frappè
  • Adagio
  • Grand battement
  • Turning combination
  • Petite allegro
  • Grand allegro

 Modern dance:

  • A modern dance center combination/solo
  • A one-minute improvisation

 African dance:

  • Demonstration of traditional West African dance movements. 

NOTE: If you have not had previous experience with African dance you will not be penalized. The placement will then be based on the Ballet and Modern requirements, and the interview questions below.

Dance candidates must also undergo an interview. Interview questions will include:

  1. Why Howard University Dance Program?
  2. While focusing on the mastery of your craft, what professional companies/national and international work are you planning to pursue in the future?
  3. Howard University Dance Program is intense by itself, but in addition to the extensive amounts of dance courses, rehearsals, and so on, academic courses must also be mastered. What is your plan for time management?

Theatre Arts Administration Interviews

Please submit your application materials through your student portal.

  • Students will be invited to interview.
  • Students should prepare written statement of purpose addressing their intent to study Theatre Arts Administration as well as career goals.
  • Students are welcome to present work samples or documentation supporting their area of interest (optional).
  • Students should submit a recent headshot.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from appropriate academic or professional references.
  • You must email the theatre arts administration program at robin.harris@howard.edu (subject: INTERVIEW) to set up an appointment for an interview; include return contact information.

Theatre Technology Interviews

Please submit your application materials through your student portal.

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION AND REVIEW

We recognize that some applicants may not have been able to document their work or experiences in the theatre so we encourage students to assemble whatever materials they may have available into a portfolio. Remember that your passion and imagination can be as valuable as your experience. Your portfolio should indicate the range of your interests and accomplishments. The format for your portfolio presentation and review will be a discussion with an evaluator about your interests and experience in the theatre.

You will need to bring along:

• A recent color photograph (5x7).

• A resume listing your theatrical experience(s), educational background, hobbies, awards and special skills.

• A statement of purpose; a one-page essay indicating what you want to achieve while attending the school.

• Two letters of support recommending you to the program.

• A portfolio.
 

If you are interested in designing for the stage, your portfolio should include drawings, sketches and drafting samples; photographs of scenery, properties, costumes and lighting you may have done or helped to prepare, and/or artwork.

If you are interested in technology, please include any materials listed above and/or any paperwork such as forms or schedules you created for a show.

If you are interested in stage management, your prompt book, script(s) or any other relevant information that demonstrates your organizational skills should be brought to the review.

You must email the Area Coordinator- Anthony Gomes, at anthony.gomes@howard.edu (subject: INTERVIEW) to set up an appointment.

Playwriting (Minor only) Interviews

  • Students must show a high promise of success in undergraduate study as demonstrated by an essay, interview and documentation of work experience in the field.
  • To apply for consideration for acceptance into the minor concentration interested students must submit via email (in Microsoft Word): 
    • a resume
    • the first 10 pages of a play or a screenplay 
    • one(1) letter of recommendation from appropriate academic or professional references
    • a 2 page essay stating why you wish to study playwriting. (Discuss your interests, your background in the theatre, the playwrights and productions that have influenced you and how you want to impact both stage and screen.)
  • Please email the requested materials to Professor Hart, coordinator for the playwriting minor at djhart@howard.edu to set up an appointment for an interview; include return contact information.