Auditions FAQ

No, we do not. For acceptance into our school we only hold on-campus or remote auditions. We will recruit at conventions such as SETC, NCTC, VTA, but we do not accept students from those events. 

We do have the option of a remote/zoom audition. We encourge you to attend a live audition if possible, so that you are able to explore the campus.

All incoming freshman students who audition/interview are automatically considered for talent based scholarships within the department. Once in a program, it is the student’s responsibility to apply for one of our scholarships every year. All scholarships and awards can only be considered through this application. The deadline for submission of the scholarship application is February. Use the link above for more information.

No, we will accept any photo you have available that shows you clearly.

On the Monday prior to your arrival you will receive a reminder email letting you know the exact time you should arrive and an itinerary of the day. Please note there are 2 applications that must be turned in to complete you application process. One is for Western Carolina University and the other is a School of Stage & Screen application.  These are two separate applications. You do not have to have applied to Western in order to apply to Stage and Screen. If accpeted to the School of Stage and Screen, your acceptance would be contingent on your acceptance to Western.

The check-in process starts at 8:30 a.m. You will receive an email the Monday before your audition/interview date with detailed instructions for the times and places auditions/Interviews are held once you have picked your audition/interview date and submitted your application on Acceptd. Audition times will be based alphabetically by last name.

Audition times vary depending on the amount of applicants we have that current day. Musical Theatre and any Acting auditionees that also need to complete the Dance audition may go as late as 5:00 p.m. depending on the size of the group auditioning. 

We will provide a 15 min warm-up prior to Musical Theatre/Acting and Dance auditions. We will do a dance warm up prior to the dance call.

Please come with music prepared in a 3 ring binder and bars clearly marked start to stop to accommodate the accompanist.

Your songs should be two complete contrasting musical theatre songs and one monologue (no longer than 60-90 seconds) for the audition; be aware that you may only be asked to sing one of your songs. An accompanist will be provided so do not forget to bring your sheet music in the correct key. Here is a web site that might help you with ideas on songs and monologues: http://auditioningforcollege.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/do-not-lists/.

Please email us at sas@email.wcu.edu within 48 hours prior to your audition. 

Applicants must wear standard rehearsal attire or clothing and shoes that allow for ease of movement. Sandals and tennis shoes are not considered proper attire. Jazz shoes/booties are suggested, however other dance shoes are allowed. Tap shoes are not necessary for the audition.

At your interview you will meet with a theatre faculty member. They will conduct your interview and look over your application materials and any portiflio work you have brought with you.

Drawings/sketches, photos of shows you have worked on, photos of models/props, lighting or sound plots, prompt books, running sheets, photography or anything that will show your skills & talents as an artist.

Please apply anyway and we can discuss more during your interview. We don’t expect all high school students to have a professional-quality portfolio, so any creative works that tells us who you are and what you’re interested in: drawings, photographs, sculptures, writing.

You are welcome to apply for more than one of our programs at a time (B.A., B.F.A. Acting or Musical Theater). You will need to complete a separate application for each program.

We will make final decisions within 14 days of the audition. You will receive an email to the address listed on your application.

No, we are unable to meet these requests. There are local hotels in Sylva, Dillsboro, Waynesville, Cherokee, Franklin, and Asheville.

No. You may contact the airport to arrange local transportation. The most convenient airport is Asheville Regional Airport, which is approximately 60 minutes away, however, it is small airport with limited airlines. Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; or Greenville, SC airports are within 2-3 hours away and accept most flights.

We focus on a quality education for all of our students. This is why we limit the amount of students accepted each year into any of our programs. Currently we accept between 8-10 students depending on each program. Please refer to our Admissions page for more specific numbers. 

The parents are not able to watch any aspect of the auditions. There is a waiting area during the acting/vocal auditions and the portfolio interviews.  Parents are allowed to participate in the Q&A during the morning in our main space, but once we are ready to start the dance call, we ask parents to leave the Dance studio. They are able to sit in a side classroom or explore campus.