School of Fine & Performing Arts Auditions & Interviews

The first step of your audition or interview process, is to submit your Academic Application. Please select your specific major below to view individual requirements.

View Requirements for

Application Deadline: November 15

Your Academic Application & PreScreen Submission must be submitted by November 15. You will not be able to upload your prescreens until 2 to 3 business days after your Academic Application has been received.

Application Timeline:

Apply to Rider University via the Common Application or Rider Application
Film your Prescreen Submissions (refer to the Prescreen Requirements below). Rider is a part of the Common Prescreen Requirements.
Receive access to your Be A Bronc Applicant dashboard via email. This will take at least 2 to 3 Business Days.
Log in to your Be A Bronc Applicant account.
Upload your pre-screen submissions to the Be A Bronc Applicant dashboard. All submissions must be successfully uploaded by November 15.
Complete the Pre-Screen Questionnaire.
Your prescreen results will be available within 3 to 4 weeks after complete submission.
- *If you pass your pre-screen:
  - Register for your Audition via your Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard. You must attend a live audition for both the BFA in Musical Theatre and the BA-Theatre with a Concentration in Musical Theatre.
- *If you do not pass your pre-screen:
  - You will be contacted by the Office of Admission via email to discuss further options. You are still eligible for non artistic review.
- *If you are asked to audition for a major other than Musical Theatre:
  - You may be asked to join us for an audition for a different major, if this is the case please Register for a Live Audition via your Be A Bronc Applicant dashboard.
Review the Audition Requirements.
- You may sing the same songs from your pre-screen video or choose a different song entirely. Sing what you sing best. You may be asked to sing only one of your songs. You also may be asked to sing something pop or contemporary, so please be prepared if asked.
- Please prepare your same monologue from your pre-screen Video.
- For off campus and virtual auditions, you’ll need to provide a recorded track/accompaniment for your selections. Further information will be provided once you have registered for your audition.
- For live virtual auditions, please upload your artistic resume and headshot to your Be A Bronc Applicant Dashboard. For all other auditions, please bring a physical copy.

Prescreen Requirements:

Rider University is a participant in the Musical Theater Common Pre Screen for the 2021-2022 cycle. Need some help getting started? Here you can access a list of helpful prescreen hints. We strongly encourage that you take advantage of these guidelines which have been thoughtfully and intentionally crafted by the expertise of multiple programs nationwide to support the excellence of the audition for your benefit.

Overall

Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. Students are encouraged to use standard technology/recording devices that are available to them (i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc.).

Introduction ("Slate")

There should not be a separate introduction or “slate” video. Instead, “slates” are to appear at the beginning of each piece and included as part of the time allotment.

The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears.
The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.

Songs

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces. Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo so as to contrast style.
Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds).
Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

Choose either option!

OPTION A

One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the “uptempo” or the “ballad” (student’s choice).
One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.

OPTION B

Both songs should be from contemporary musicals (any musical written after 1970) and contrast in style (“ballad” and “uptempo”).

Monologues

Students may be asked to prepare either one or two pieces Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

Monologues must be from a published play.
Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds).

Choose either option!

OPTION A

1 contemporary monologue (written after 1900), 60-90 seconds in length.
The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

OPTION B

2 contrasting monologues each 60-90 seconds in length (see below).
1 Contemporary (written after 1900); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
1 Classical (written before 1900); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame.

Dance

Students may be asked to execute one or both of the following options. Each institution is responsible for indicating which options are accepted.

All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.
Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.

DANCE OPTION (Required)

30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, cultural dance styles, hip hop, lyrical, or contemporary.
Please do not submit “barre work”. Instead, check to see if the auditioning program offers the optional “Ballet Submission”.
Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.

Wild Card: Optional

Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
This media can be ANYTHING you want - a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”.

School of Fine & Performing Arts Auditions & Interviews

View Requirements for

Acting for Film, Television and Theatre (B.F.A.)

Musical Theatre - Theatre with a Concentration in Musical Theatre (B.F.A. or B.A.)

Theatre with a Concentration in Design & Technology (B.A.)

Theatre with a Concentration in Contemporary Theatre Practice (B.A.)

Musical Theatre Direction: Primary Instrument Piano (B.M.)

Contact Undergraduate Admission