The National School of the Arts Audition Requirements
Audition Requirements
ART
ALL GRADES
Candidates must bring a selection of their art to the interview. This MUST include the following:
i. Pencil drawing of a wooden chair from life.
ii. A design, for any purpose, in colour (eg. pattern for fabric/tile etc. or a poster).
iii. A painting – such as a landscape, portrait or still life.
iv. A self-portrait from life at least 50 x 30 cm: you may use pencil, colour pencils, paint, etc.
v. A recent selection of the candidate’s own work, including Art if done at school.
Please note that all work must be the unaided original work of the candidate and may not be copies of other artwork.
Candidates must bring their own pencils, colour pencils and erasers to the auditions.
ALL GRADES
At the NSA, all learners will be trained in Classical Ballet, Modern and Spanish Dance. The standard of the dance training in the Dance Department is very high and learners must have sufficient background of technical dance forms, before attending dance auditions.
The Dance Department does not offer any training in Freestyle, Hip Hop, Kwaito or Funk as these forms are not offered as formal subjects. We do not consider these dance forms as formal dance training for aspiring dancers.
Learners auditioning for Grades 8 and 9 must have recent formal dance training in either Classical Ballet, Modern or Spanish Dance. For Grades 10 and 11, candidates must have a very strong background of the dance form to be taken as a Major as well as strong basics in Classical Ballet.
Prospective dance candidates must attend an audition at which they must wear tights and a leotard. Jeans and sneakers are not acceptable. All candidates (who are on/have done Pointe) must bring pointe shoes for Classical Ballet in addition to their ballet shoes.
All candidates auditioning for Dance Studies will do a Ballet Class ONLY.
Please indicate on the Audition Registration Form the type of Dance CURRENTLY taken by the Candidate.
Prepared work: Grades 8 and 9:
An acted published monologue or a monologue from a published play (2 – 3 minutes). Monologues available at the Reference Section of Public Libraries eg. Jhb Library. These pieces must be published ones. The piece should be a single long speech spoken by one character taken from a play. Words must be learnt. We look for characterisation (that is the ability to become someone different from yourself, using your voice, body, thoughts and emotions). Choose a monologue which you like and understand. Select a piece suitable for your age.
GIRLS BOYS
1. A Doll’s House 1. Edmund: The fog is where I wanted to be.
2. Agnes of God 2. Richard Fisher’s Funeral
3. Curl Up and Dye 3. Reach
4. Betrayal 4. Bar & Ger
Prepared work: Grades 10 and 11:
An acted published monologue or a monologue from a published play (2 – 3 minutes). Monologues available at the Reference Section of Public Libraries example. Johannesburg Library. The piece must be a published ones. The piece should be a single long speech spoken by one character taken from a play. Choose a monologue which you like and understand. Words must be learnt. We look for characterisation (that is the ability to become someone different from yourself, using your voice, body, thoughts and emotions). We are also interested in the following: how you use the space, your ability to visualise and keep focussed, believable and impactful.
GIRLS BOYS
1. Wit 1. Whistle down the wind.
2. In Flame 2. Spoonface Steinberg
3. Tokens of Affection 3. Sorrows & Rejoicings
4. Stage Door 4. Rocky Balboa
Unprepared work: ALL GRADES:
Acted improvisations: The candidate may be asked to present a piece of unprepared acting where they will be given a character and situation by the staff and will then be required to act it out.
MUSIC
ALL GRADES
Note: All learners who audition for Grade 9-11 MUST be able to read sheet music in staff notation.
Prospective candidates must attend an audition. During this audition they must play/sing one prepared piece on their chosen instrument which can be any Western instrument or Voice. (Voice is also regarded as an instrument).
Candidates must bring their own instruments to the audition venue. The only instruments available in the audition venue are a piano and drum kit. If the candidate plays drums, they MUST bring their own drumsticks.
Voice learners must choose and prepare one of the following songs:
BOYS GIRLS
• All of me – John Stephens • Angel – Sarah McLachlan
• Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen • Beautiful – Linda Perry
• Make you feel my Love – Bob Dylan • Piece by Piece – Katie Melue
• Your song – Elton John • The Rose – Bette Midler
The song will be handed to the applicant once the completed Audition Registration Form (with all documents) has been received timeously by the school. The NSA produces a CD for accompaniment. Learners must return the copy of the song and the CD during the Audition process.
Note: No auditions will be done for learners (Grade 9 upwards) who cannot read sheet music in staff notation.
Please indicate on the Audition Registration Form the instrument on which the candidate will audition