Plan to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before your audition/review time. If you need additional time to warm up, please plan accordingly.
	Bring a head shot of yourself to the audition/review. If applying in two disciplines, please bring two photos. Photograph does not need to be a professional photo, a school photo is appropriate.
	You will be asked to fill out a short discipline-specific questionnaire which you will receive at the registration desk at your audition/review. You will then submit your questionnaire to the judges at the start of your audition/review. This one-page questionnaire is designed to give the judges an overview of your previous involvement in the arts, along with the level of your interest and commitment.
	No spectators will be allowed in the audition/review areas. This includes parents and teachers.
	applicants will be notified of their audition/review results on April 15, 2009 (postmarked).

Architecture
You are required to bring a portfolio consisting of nine works. The works you select should best reflect the range of your creative abilities. Your portfolio must include the following:

If necessary, you may submit color photographs only when a work is not available or if it is not practical to bring the work (for example, if it is too big to transport). Portfolios which contain fewer than nine works or which do not meet the above requirements will be reviewed at the adjudicator’s discretion. Call the GSA Helpline if you have questions about the requirements.

You will need to arrive and check-in at least an hour before your scheduled interview time. Your audition will include a timed thirty minute design project, completed before your scheduled interview time. Materials, tools, and instructions for the project will be provided when you arrive. The interview will then be a ten minute personal review of your portfolio and design project and an interview with the adjudicators.

Label each piece included in the portfolio with your name and school and the approximate date you completed the piece. Criteria for judging the portfolio and the design project include the creativity, thought process, and originality displayed by the works (your idea or concept), and the use of materials (your execution of the idea and the craft and technique you display). Portfolios consisting of video works must be submitted with your application by December 31, 2008.

Creative Writing
Applicants to creative writing undergo a two-part process. Creative writing applicants must submit two (2) copies of an original manuscript with their application which will be reviewed and evaluated by our Creative Writing faculty. Faculty select applicants for Auditions & Reviews from the preliminary scores of evaluations. Not all applicants will receive an Audition & Review, though all students will be notified as to the results of the manuscript review. All Creative Writing interviews will take place at the Lexington and Louisville audition sites only. No make-up will be possible.

	Include two complete copies of your manuscript. Be sure to include two cover pages as described below.
	Must be from one of three categories: fiction, poetry, playwriting (though may include work from more than one category).
	Must be typewritten and double-spaced.
	No fewer than six and no more than eight pages. Note: Poems must total 6-8 pages. You are not required to submit one poem that is 6-8 pages long.
	If excerpted from a longer work, submission must be from consecutive pages.
	Typeface must be clear and dark.
	Typeface must be no smaller than 10 points.
	Must contain cover page with name, high school, title of manuscript, audition/review site and grade level.
	Must be paper-clipped (no staples or cover folder of any kind).

Manuscripts which do not meet these requirements will not be read!

During Creative Writing Reviews, you will participate in a group interview and discussion with approximately four other applicants. The interview will be 30 minutes in length. Questions are general in nature, covering such topics as your experience with writing and reading. You will be asked to bring with you a brief writing sample: poetry, a monologue, a short story or an excerpt from something longer. It should be no more than one-page long, double-spaced and something other than what you submitted with your initial application. You will be asked to read this piece aloud in your discussion group.

Dance
Your dance audition will consist of two segments: A master-class lasting approximately three hours followed by a group interview lasting 20-30 minutes. The master-class includes ballet and modern, although previous experience in both ballet and modern is not a requirement for acceptance to GSA. The ballet portion of class will consist of a traditional ballet barre, center floor exercises and pointe work for those interested in auditioning for ballet. You must participate in the “pointe” section of class to be considered for ballet. The modern portion of the class will consist of a warm-up, center combinations and movement phrases across the floor. You do not need to prepare an audition piece in advance of the audition. You will be assessed based on technical expertise, movement potential, passion for movement, performance quality, and ability to learn
quickly and apply corrections. The interview questions are general in nature, covering topics such as your experience and interest in dance. During the interview, you will be asked to declare whether you would like your dance emphasis to be in ballet or modern. Your decision may be changed by the adjudicators during the audition, based on where they feel your strengths lie.

We ask that females wear pink tights and a dark-colored leotard for the audition. Hair should be in a bun for the ballet and modern master class. We ask that males wear a white T-shirt and dark tights for the audition. Ballet shoes are required for the ballet portion of the audition. Bare feet are required for the modern portion of the audition. The dance studio will be open 30 minutes prior to the assigned start time for those wanting to warm-up.

Drama
You will participate in a group audition. The audition lasts approximately 40 minutes. The mood is informal and non-threatening. During the audition you will do warm-up exercises, engage in improvised scene work, present a prepared monologue, and participate in a brief interview.

We recommend using a monologue spoken by a character from an actual play, rather than an original piece of poetry or prose. Select a character close to your own age, and one that does not require a dialect. The monologue must be memorized; it may be either serious or comic; it should not exceed 90 seconds in length; and it should not rely on props, costumes, make-up or any other technical elements. A simple, straight chair is provided and may be used. The monologue should not contain material or language that others who are auditioning may find offensive. You will be evaluated on vocal and physical expression, emotional honesty, intellectual understanding, collaborative willingness, and imaginative independence.

Instrumental Music
Any musician who feels qualified may audition regardless of instrument, special training or formal involvement with school ensembles. Your audition will be no longer than eight minutes in length (excludes piano and percussion). During this time you will be asked to:

• Play major scales with key signatures of no more than three sharps or three flats, up and down two octaves, from memory as requested by the judges.
• perform a prepared solo which may be interrupted at the discretion of the judges
• sight-read music furnished by the judges
• participate in a brief interview with the judges.

We suggest that your solo be three to five minutes in length. You should prepare a piece that best reflects your ability without being excessively simple. You must furnish the judges with one original copy of the solo you are performing, even if your piece is an original composition. No accompaniment is allowed for any instrumental soloist.

You will be judged on musicality, tone production, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, steady tempo, observation of score markings, technique, pitch accuracy, scale proficiency, sight-reading and your interview.

Pianists should play all requested scales two octaves hands together. Pianists are expected to perform their solo from memory. Pianists will also be asked to perform a prepared ensemble piece that will be sent by mail prior to the audition. Piano auditions will be 10 minutes in length to accommodate the prepared ensemble piece.

Percussionists should audition on two different instruments: a keyboard percussion instrument including marimba, xylophone or vibraphone, AND one of the following instruments: drum set, timpani, multiple percussion or snare drum. Percussionists must prepare a separate audition for each instrument and must furnish their own instruments (with the exception of timpani or a keyboard percussion instrument, which may be provided only if the audition site agrees to allow GSA the use of the instrument and if the student notifies the GSA administration a month in advance of the audition). Percussionists auditioning on snare drum will be asked to play basic rudiments as requested by the judges. Percussionists auditioning on drum set will be asked to play basic styles as requested by the judges. Percussion auditions will be 20 minutes in length to allow time for auditioning on two different instruments as well as for set-up and tear-down.

Musical Theatre
You will participate in a group audition and interview, with approximately 4-5 other students, which will last approximately 45 minutes. During this time you will present a prepared one-minute monologue, portions of two songs, participate in a short movement exercise and a brief interview with the faculty. Please note carefully the detailed instructions of the material you are to prepare.

Your monologue and songs must be memorized. Your songs should come from musical theatre works. However, your monologue should be from a scripted play not a musical theatre work. Monologue and songs need to be suitable for family viewing. We recommend that you NOT portray a character of middle or advanced age, or a character speaking with a dialect. You should select a character relatively close to your age or similar to your life-experience. The audition piece should not rely on props, costumes, make-up, or any other technical elements. A simple straight chair will be provided if needed. You should begin your audition by introducing yourself and your monologues and songs.

Please prepare one ballad and one up-tempo song using the following guidelines. Both pieces should not be from the same musical. In fact, we would prefer that you include a one song from a contemporary musical, 1970 or later—i.e. A Little Night Music, Song and Dance, Little Shop of Horrors, Secret Garden, etc., and one from a standard musical, anything written before 1970s--i.e. Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Bye, Bye Birdie, etc. These are just a few examples of the many possibilities you can use for your selection. It does not matter which style is an up-tempo and which is a ballad. You should choose music that best showcases your voice. You must use the provided accompanist, and you must provide a copy of the music (with clear piano accompaniment and in the correct key) for the accompanist. Taped accompaniment is not allowed. Please prepare both songs in their entirety; however, due to time constraints, the faculty may ask to hear a twenty-one measure portion of the songs you have prepared. Please select your twenty-one measure cut prior to coming to your audition. All audition music must be two sided copies, three hole punched, and placed in a three ring binder. Make sure that the entire accompaniment is clearly copied to the page and all cuts are clearly marked. Music may be placed in non-glare protective sleeves if you choose.

The musical theatre auditions will be recorded for use by the faculty in the selection process only and will not be reproduced for other viewing.

You will be assessed on vocal ability and potential, a relaxed stage presence, truthful characterization, physical awareness, movement, and overall potential to work in the field of musical theatre.

New Media
Students are required to submit a portfolio consisting of 10 works comprised of any media that they feel best reflects the range of their abilities.

Works can be in the following areas:
-Animation, Cartoon drawings, strips and storybooks
-Scripts for movies and/or storyboards
-Video (Documentary, Narrative, or Shorts)
-Still Photography (Photo Studies, Essay or Documentary)
-Digital Art
Prints, Drawings, Paintings and 3D works that may apply to the above

DVDs, VHS Video Tapes and Scripts must be submitted with application by Dec. 31, 2008. If submitting a film or animation piece please provide a cover page indicating your specific role in the project or you may include this information in the credits. If you are applying for both New Media and Visual Art disciplines, please submit two copies of these pieces. All other 2D or 3D art may be brought to the interview. Your total work submitted cannot exceed 10 pieces.

Portfolios which contain fewer than ten works or which do not meet the above requirements will not be judged. Call the GSA Helpline if you have questions about the required pieces for this concentration.

Your audition will consist of a five to seven minute personal review of your art portfolio and a brief interview with the judges. Be sure to label each piece included in the portfolio with your name and school and the approximate date when you completed the piece. Quality of presentation is very important. All 2D work should be matted neatly. If you need assistance seek help from an art instructor or nearest frame shop. All work will be judged in the following categories: use of formal elements & principles of visual expression, originality, technical skill, evidence of artistic expression and craftsmanship.

Visual Art
 

You are required to bring a portfolio consisting of nine works. Your portfolio must include a minimum of three drawings from life* — one in each of the following categories: Still Life, Landscape and Self-portrait (created by looking at yourself in a mirror). One of these works must be in pencil. The six remaining works in your portfolio are left to your discretion. These works should show the breath of your experience in different media and best reflect your range of abilities. If one of your remaining six pieces is derived from another work or photograph, please attach the original or the photo from which you worked and, if possible, credit the original artist or photographer.

You may submit slides only when a work is not available or if it is not practical to bring the work. Portfolios which contain fewer than nine works or which do not meet the above requirements will not be judged. Your audition will consist of a five to seven minute personal review of your art portfolio and a brief interview with the judges. Label each piece included in the portfolio with your name and school and the approximate date you completed the piece. Quality of presentation is very important. All 2D work should be matted neatly. If you need assistance seek help from an art instructor or nearest frame shop. All work will be judged in the following categories: use of formal elements & principles of visual expression, originality, technical skill, evidence of artistic expression and craftsmanship.

If you wish to include DVDs, VHS Video Tapes and Scripts as part of your visual art portfolio, please submit the piece(s) with your application by December 31, 2008. If you are applying for both New Media and Visual Art disciplines, please submit two copies of these pieces.

*This means drawings created from direct observation of yourself and your surroundings. Drawing from photographs may not be substituted for any of these three required submissions.

Vocal Music
Any vocalist who feels qualified may audition, regardless of special training or formal involvement with choirs or ensembles. Your audition will be approximately seven minutes in length. During this time you will present a prepared solo (which may be interrupted at the discretion of the judges), perform sight-reading (furnished by GSA) and participate in a brief interview with the judges. We suggest that your solo be two to four minutes in length. You should begin your audition by introducing yourself and your audition piece to the judges. Memorized solos are preferred but not required. We encourage you to do what makes you feel most comfortable. You should prepare a piece that is the best example of your performance without being excessively simple. Selections need not be in a foreign language. An accompanist is provided at the audition site. You must use the provided accompanist, and you must provide music for the accompanist. Taped accompaniment is not allowed. (You may bring an accompanist for warm-up and rehearsal). In addition to the accompanist’s score, you must provide a copy of the score for the judges. You will be assessed on vocal potential, tone production, accuracy of pitch and rhythm, diction, proper musical interpretation and sight-reading.