Admissions Code: X51A

*** Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all high school auditions will be using the virtual audtion submission tool with select schools hosting a single in person session. Fordham High School for the Arts will be hosting an in-person audition on Saturday, January 29th.

Make sure to remember to rank Fordham High School for the Arts (x51A.)

Please email any inquiries to fordhamhsarts@gmail.com

Admissions Code: X51A

AUDITION INFORMATION

For information on the Common Application Overview of specific department audition requirements, please access this link

How to Use the Virtual Submission Tool

*PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL IN PERSON SESSIONS WILL REQUIRE THE SAME AUDITION REQUIREMENTS AS VIRTUAL AUDITIONS – THERE WILL NOT BE ANY EXTRA TASKS REQUESTED THE DAY OF IN PERSON AUDITIONS.

CTE DRAMA AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Instructions

Prepare and submit separate uploads of two contrasting monologues. You are also encouraged to upload a musical theater number if interested. Please note that a musical theater song is required for musical theater programs at the noted (*) musical theater programs.

At the beginning of each video, before performing, briefly introduce yourself by providing the following information.

  • Your full name
  • Your OSIS student ID number
  • Why you chose your monologue or song (30 seconds or less)
  • Why do you want to study acting? (30 seconds or less)
  • For MONOLOGUES: State the name of the character portrayed and the full title of the playwright. 
  • FOR SONGS: State the title of the song, the name of the character, full title of the musical, composer and lyricist.

View this Theater Recording Upload Video(Open external link) for clear steps recording your monologues or musical song. 

Video 1 and 2: Monologues

Memorize, perform, and upload two contrasting, one-minute monologues from a published play or the sample monologues library. Examples of this may be dramatic/comedic, classical/contemporary, theater/film, or two contrasting characters that have very different personalities. Choose relatable characters within your natural age range and decide to whom your characters are talking and why. You may choose to play roles of any gender. You may select your own monologues to perform but are welcome to review and choose a monologue(s) from this sample monologues library(Open external link). For support with creating your video, you may view these helpful tips(Open external link). 

Video 3: Musical Theater Song

Perform and upload 16 bars (or approximately one [1] minute) of a memorized song of any genre. Musical theater songs are encouraged, however pop and R&B songs are acceptable. Songs can be performed with live or recorded accompaniment or without music ‘a cappella.’ Choose a song performed by a relatable character and decide to whom your character is singing and why. You may select your own musical theater song to perform but are welcome to review and select from this sample musical theater song library(Open external link).

TECHNICAL THEATER AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Instructions

Section 1: Discussion of Storytelling through Design 

Create a model/diorama, drawings, or mood-board collage that shows the world of the play and the characters who inhabit the world. Select ONE scene from EITHER “Dracula” by Hamilton Dean and John Balderson (1924), “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, OR “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. You may also consider scenes from a play by Paul Sills called “Story Theatre” which is derived from stories and fables by the Grimm Brothers and Aesop.

You may use any combination of the methods suggested to share your ideas visually.

Photographs

Upload 1-4 photographs of your model/diorama, drawings, or mood-board collage.

  • If creating a model/diorama: 4 photographs of the model from different angles. One must be from the front showing the whole piece you are presenting. Others should enable the judges to see details and perspective of your work.
  • If creating a sketch and/or collage: 1 photograph of each of the images you created (please avoid shadows in your photo).

Video 1: Present your design through 2-3 minute recorded presentation. Be sure to include the following:

  • Introduce yourself by stating your name as it appears in your MySchools.nyc account along with your OSIS number.
  • Describe the world you have create explaining the choices you have made. See Document for guiding questions/ideas to consider while working on your creation(Open external link).
  • Show the work with as much detail as you can. If presenting a model, be sure to include photos or video of views from the front, from the audience level, and include side views.
  • Try to complete your full video in one seamless take. Note: your videography quality will not play a part in scoring.

Section 2: Providing Directions

Video 2: Create and upload a two-minute video in which you describe step-by-step how you assembled/completed something.

  • You will be evaluated on your thought process for multi-step directions considering clarity, efficiency, and attention to detail. For example, you might describe getting ready for your school day, getting lunch in the school cafeteria, assembling a piece of furniture, baking your favorite cookie, taking your neighbor’s dog for a walk, or doing a load of dishes in a dishwasher. Please note these are only examples; you may choose to describe anything that shows your mastery of that activity and your engagement with it.
  • Introduce yourself by stating your name as it appears in your MySchools.nyc account along with your OSIS number before speaking about your step-by-step process.
  • Please use hands-on materials like media or props in your presentation, showing or demonstrating actions whenever possible.

DANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Instructions

Prepare and submit two (2) recorded audition videos described below. For supports with creating your videos, you can view these tips(Open external link). 

Video 1

Learn and record yourself performing one of the pre-recorded solos of Ballet, Jazz, Modern, or West African dance from the video library below. This dance video will be used to assess the following dance components: replication of dance steps, following direction, musicality, coordination, flexibility, expression. Record so that your full body and movement is shown. You can access the pre-recorded dances and music to the dances(Open external link).

Video 2

Prepare and record a video of yourself that shares your passion for dance by performing a one-minute solo in any style or combination of styles of dance with which you feel most comfortable. This dance video is to assess the following dance components: creativity, musicality, coordination, flexibility, and expression. Record so that your full body and movement is shown. You may consider including the following: 

  • different levels (low, medium, and high)
  • different speeds of movement (slow and fast)
  • a jump
  • a pause
  • a turn
  • a balance

INSTRUMENTAL//MUSIC PRODUCTION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Instructions

Prepare and submit BOTH videos specified below. Students of all abilities and experience levels are encouraged to apply. 

Video 1

Perform ONE prepared solo selection without accompaniment. Playing without accompaniment means playing by yourself without a track or additional instruments.

  • Select a piece you feel confident performing that shows your skill level and musicality.
  • Before playing, briefly introduce yourself, and provide the following information:
    • Your name
    • Your Student ID number (OSIS number)
    • Title of the piece you will be playing
    • Why did you choose this piece? How does this piece speak to you as a musician? (30 seconds or less)

Video 2

Perform ONE scale of your choice at a tempo (speed) you find comfortable. For Video #2, drummers (i.e., candidates who play non-pitched percussion instruments) submit a video of TWO rudiments, rather than scales. 

  • This is another opportunity for reviewers to learn more about how:
    • low and how high you can play.
    • comfortably and quickly you can move from note to note.
    • clean and precise your playing is.
    • well you are able to play in tune.
    • well you know what notes make up your selected scale.
    • playing the correct notes is most important.
  • Before playing, briefly introduce yourself, and provide the following information:
    • Your name
    • Your Student ID number (OSIS number)

For help preparing a scale or if you do not know what a scale is, please see the Resources for Audition Preparations(Open external link). 

VISUAL ART AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Portfolio Upload

Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original artwork that includes the following (for additional support with this portfolio, you may view these visual arts portfolio resources(Open external link)): 

  • Piece 1: A self-portrait using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror).
  • Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you).
  • Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation (from observation means you draw a live person). If you do not have access to a friend or family member, see the tutorial on figure drawing on this visual arts portfolio resources(Open external link).
    • Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet. 
    • Draw your figure with realistic proportions. 
    • Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes.
    • Include any observed details and draw the facial features. 
    • Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.
  • Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

Student Introduction

Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included). Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable). 

VOCAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Before singing, briefly introduce yourself. Please provide the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your Student ID number (OSIS number)
  • Title of the song you will be singing
  • Why did you choose this song? How does this song speak to you as a musician? (30 seconds or less)

Prepare a video recording that includes ALL parts listed below. Students of all abilities and experience levels are encouraged to apply. 

Instructions

Perform ONE prepared solo selection without accompaniment. Singing without accompaniment means singing by yourself without a track or pianist. Select a song you feel confident performing that shows your skill level and musicality.