Applicants to the Theater Program must submit completed application and teacher recommendation forms and the two REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS, A and B below. Applicants may submit assignment C, but it is NOT required:

1. A photograph of yourself. This is a non-competitive application requirement: you do not need to submit a professional head shot.  Nothing fancy or expensive is required. A simple Polaroid snapshot, a digital photo printed on plain paper, or any inexpensive photograph which clearly shows your face will suffice. Print your name on the back.
2. A video audition submitted on either a mini-DVD or full-size DVD that includes the following:
   1. 1. Introduction: At the beginning, SIMPLY tell us your name, your age and where you are from. Then describe your interest in Theater and what you hope to gain from attending the program. (Please be brief - 15 seconds is enough!)
   2. 2. Performance: Do a monologue or solo speech by a single character from a play. Introduce your performance by telling us the name of the work, the author, and the role you will play, but no more information than that. When taping your monologue, keep in mind that the production quality of the video is not as important as making sure that the judges will be able to see you (all of you) and hear you. Please Note: Absolutely NO GROUP PERFORMANCE VIDEOS, PERFORMANCE DOCUMENTARY VIDEOS OR EXCERPTS FROM DEMO TAPES will be reviewed.
   
   ACCEPTABLE file formats for video submission: .avi, .mov, .wav, and .wmv. Please do not include files in a format that is native to the program you are using to edit video (if applicable). Auditions submitted on CD, VHS, Mini-DV, Hi-8, or on any other analog cassette tape will not be reviewed.
3. Optional Musical Performance: If you have a strong interest and ability in musical theater, you can include a performance of 16 bars from a song from the American Musical Theater (no pop songs, please). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED INTRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE described above. Identify your character, the musical, the situation and the song. Accompaniment is not required. The length of the audition, including introduction, performance, and the optional musical selection, should be no longer than FOUR MINUTES! (CSSSA does not offer a separate musical theater program. Musical Theater is a limited-enrollment elective class that students may sign up for on the first day of class).

RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY:

Make sure that your video is of an original audition that shows your growth as an actor since you have been at CSSSA, and state in your introduction why you think you should be given a second opportunity to enroll in the Theater Program. If you previously attended CSSSA in an artistic discipline other than Theater, you must submit a recommendation from a CSSSA instructor in that department.

FOR ALL STUDENTS, PLEASE NOTE:

1. Your audition video must be submitted on a full-sized DVD or Mini-DVD.
   ACCEPTABLE file formats for video submission: .avi, .mov, .wav, and .wmv. Please do not include files in a format that is native to the program you are using to edit video (if applicable). Auditions submitted on VHS, Mini-DV, Hi-8, or on any other analog cassette tape will not be reviewed.
2. Clearly label all assignments, including the mini-DVD or DVD and its container, with your name and date of birth. VERY IMPORTANT: If you choose to provide the optional musical performance, write the word “musical” under your name and date of birth on the tape, and on the container.
3. We DO NOT assume responsibility for the loss or damage of submissions. AUDITION VIDEOS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
4. Application advice: To increase your chances of being accepted, FOLLOW ALL OF THE ABOVE DIRECTIONS!

 

Send all application and materials to:

California State Summer School for the Arts
Attn.: Theater Department
P.O. Box 1077
Sacramento, CA 95812-1077