AUDITION VIDEO PROCEDURES

Below are the requirements for a successful video audition.

Please be sure to read all requirements very carefully as they vary between programs.

All videos will be uploaded to our new Audition Platform, Acceptd. If you have not done so already, you will need to create an account with Acceptd before filling out your audition registration. A $30 registration fee will be charged.

Students who are already enrolled in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 programming will not need to pay the application fee again. Also, students applying to more than one YAA program will only need to pay the registration fee once. If you have already applied to a previous program, enter the following coupon code in the payment section of the application: 03YAA21

• Pre-Recording Checklist

  • Video recordings should be made at home in a well lit space.

    • Smartphone or laptop recordings are perfectly acceptable (horizontal orientation is best.)

    • If possible, the use of an external microphone will ensure the highest audio quality.

  • Excerpt should be performed LIVE on video (no lipsyncing)

  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media (no continuous videos.)

  • Video excerpts should be performed in one take and not have any extra effects added (reverb, editing, etc.)

  • Place the camera in a way that your face, upper body (and instrument) are in the frame at all times.

  • Auditioners should wear appropriate and comfortable attire. Please treat your video audition as if it were a LIVE audition.

  • Instrumentalists:

    • Please check the “mirror” option on your camera/smartphone so that your video does not show you performing “backwards.”

  • Singers:

    • All singing should be accompanied by a Backing Track of your song.

      • Backing tracks can be readily found for free on YouTube (search for your song title and “karaoke” or “backing track”).

        • You can also use a custom backing track service (for a fee) like MT-Tracks or Opera Tracks to have custom tracks made for your solo selection.

      • Be sure that your backing track is in the right key for your voice!

      • If possible, play the backing track out of a different device than the one you are video recording yourself on.

• Video Recording Order

  • 1.) Slate

    • Please begin each video with Your Name and the Name of the Selection you will be performing.

  • 2.) First Solo Selection (REQUIRED)

    • Senior Conservatory: (REQUIRED for acceptance into program)

      • a musical theatre or jazz standard selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

        • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

        • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

        • It’s best to present a song that you know well and can perform from memory, not one that was just learned a few days prior.

    • Junior Conservatory: (REQUIRED for acceptance into program)

      • a musical theatre selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

        • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

        • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

        • If you do not have a selection prepared, you can sing a pop song or another song of your choice, such as Happy Birthday or My Country ‘Tis of Thee

    • Senior Academy: (REQUIRED for class placement only)

      • a musical theatre or jazz standard selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

        • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

        • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

        • It’s best to present a song that you know well and can perform from memory, not one that was just learned a few days prior.

    • Trumpet Institute. (REQUIRED for class placement only)

      • any 1-2 minute selection or excerpt of your choice

  • 3.) Second Solo Selection

    • Senior Conservatory: (REQUIRED for acceptance into program)

      • A second musical theatre song selection of your choice
        OR 

      • a classical or contemporary monologue 60-90 seconds in length
        OR

      • a 90 second solo dance selection

    • Junior Conservatory: (OPTIONAL)

      • A second musical theatre song selection of your choice
        OR 

      • a classical or contemporary monologue 60-90 seconds in length
        OR

      • a 90 second solo dance selection

    • Senior Academy: (NOT required)

    • Trumpet Institute: (NOT required)

**Students auditioning for more than one program (ie. Conservatory for Session 1 plus Academy for Session 2) will need to apply to each program individually via Acceptd. Students may submit the same video recording for different programs as long as they meet the requirements for that program. Application fee need only be paid once.

***Note that video auditions above will only be used for placement/acceptance into a program, not for the casting of a production. In-person casting auditions for shows in Senior and Junior Conservatory will take place on the first day of each session.

• Post-Recording

  • Test your recording before submitting
    We recommend you test the audio levels so that there is no distortion during the loudest passages of your selections, while also making sure that the softest portions can still be heard. *Brass players, please do not play with your bell pointed at the microphone.

  • Share your video with a trusted person
    Make sure you get the OK from a trusted person before submitting your videos to make sure it shows you off in the best possible way.

  • Video submission
    Video files will be uploaded using the online application Acceptd. We recommend using a format and resolution that is consistent with high-quality internet video. (Accepted Video Formats: MP4, MPEG, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, FLV, WEBM, MKV, M2V. File sizes up to 5 GB)

There is a $30 application fee paid to Acceptd. Please note that the fee is only required on your first application. For any subsequent applications, please enter the following coupon code in the payment section of the application: 03YAA21

Applicants can apply for a waiver to this application fee by submitting financial documentation to Acceptd. Please visit the Acceptd Support Desk for more information.