Q: Must every applicant audition, regardless of chosen art form?

A: All applicants must “audition”, which in the case of the non-performance based majors involves submission of samples of the applicant’s work (copies preferred to originals as they will not be returned), and interviews with both a departmental instructor and a member of the residential or administrative staff. 

Q: What is involved in an audition?

A: There are two parts to the audition. Applicants meet with an instructor (or one of the Directors), from the major department to which they are applying, and together they either review samples of the students’ work or watch the student perform. For example, visual arts students will bring in 3-4 samples of their artwork for the instructor to review and discuss, Musical Theatre applicants will perform a monologue and a song, and Dance applicants will actually take a short dance class. After the artistic portion of the audition is complete, applicants meet with a residential staff member (or one of the Directors) to have a conversation about who they are, their interests and activities, and to answer any applicant questions. Generally each applicant will be given time one-on-one, both for the “audition” part of the day as well as for the Residential/Leadership Interview, however there may be times when it is more efficient and interesting to meet with two or three other applicants for part of the process. We encourage applicants to remember that we want you to be wonderful, open, and as relaxed as possible (although a little nervous energy is not unusual). Please approach the audition as a chance for us to share work you are proud of, so come in prepared. 

Q: How many audition dates are offered each Spring and where are they held?

A: Four audition dates are scheduled in Connecticut each Spring. Our main audition is held at Wesleyan University in Middletown, with three other audition dates scheduled at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford, the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, and at Central Magnet High School in Bridgeport. Applicants are encouraged to attend the main audition at Wesleyan University for a broader experience of the campus, staff, and other applicants. In-state applicants will be assigned an initial audition date as soon as possible after receipt of application materials.

Q: What if the applicant cannot attend the audition in person?

A: Audition attendance is required for in-state applicants. While we encourage near-by out-of-state applicants, to come in person, we typically arrange auditions via the mail and telephone if the applicant cannot attend due to distance, illness, or important scheduling conflicts. After receiving an audition date and audition information by mail, in-state applicants must contact the office at ccy@crec.org to make alternate plans if illness or important scheduling conflicts exist. Out-of-state applicants are automatically assigned “non-attending” audition status, but should contact the office after receiving audition information if they would like to attend an audition in person.

Inability to attend an audition in person will not affect the final acceptance evaluation, although instructors and interviewers may gain a clearer picture of the applicant’s talent, maturity, and artistic commitment when meeting in-person.  In addition, both applicant and parent/guardian will experience a better “feel” for the program through interactions with the other applicants, instructors, and staff present at the auditions.  It is also a valuable opportunity to have questions answered by staff members.