Theatre Arts:

Students currently in 8th-11th grades may apply for the Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade)

The Theatre Arts Department seeks to assist young theater students in discovering who they are as an artist. Through rigorous training, we hope to prepare them for conservatory-style college programs and for a career in theater.

Theatre Arts contains two tracks – Drama and Musical Theatre. Students auditioning for Theatre Arts may choose whether they want to be considered for Drama, Musical Theatre or Both.

We hope to instill in young artists the importance of collaboration in an ensemble and the ability to improve their work through the application of notes from constructive critique. We hope our students will leave NOCCA with a sense of where they fit in the world of theater, an ability to make the most of future training, and most importantly, that they will bring willingness, courage and open-mindedness into their future careers.

Our Drama program gives students the opportunity to study acting in depth – not only through traditional scene study and the performance of monologues, but through Movement training modalities such as Suzuki Training, Acrobatics, mask work and Viewpoints. They will receive foundational training in vocal technique for the stage and explore improvisational work in order to build listening skills, spontaneity and an understanding of comedy. Students will also have the ability to pursue theatrical interests beyond acting through courses in playwriting, directing and devising for the theater.

Musical Theatre’s rigorous training includes a slate of Voice, Acting and Dance training classes as well as classes in a wide variety of theatrical skills in order to help students find their passion and place in the theatre. Students will engage in a number of Musical Theatre styles during their time here in order to be versatile, adaptable young artists. Students will also have the chance to engage in Text Analysis classes and in their fourth year, Directing. 

All Applicants Include with your completed application:

• A photo of yourself. It can be an informal picture or a professional headshot; as long as the photo is current, clear and an accurate likeness. Beware the blurry selfie!
• A resume (or a list) with the experiences you have had in theatre-the experiences that are most important and formative to you. Include classes, lessons, and workshops, as well as any performance experiences. Help us get to know you as a performer.

Link to Monologues

In addition to department requirements, each applicant will: 

• Upload to the application a 1-2 minute video of the applicant answering the question, “Why do I want to train at NOCCA?”
• Upload to the application a copy of the most recent report card. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
• Be prepared with the email of an adult who is not related to you to complete your recommendation. Your recommender will receive an email from Acceptd with a link to fill out a recommendation form online.
   

At the audition:

• We will start the day with some group warm ups and improvisational exercises that will require some movement. Please wear clothes and shoes that will allow you to move safely and freely. Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in and rubber soled shoes with no heel. Following the group work, everyone will participate in a group vocal warm up. Then we will see individual applicants.
• Drama and Musical Theatre applicants will perform a memorized monologue selection provided by the Theatre Arts  Department (see below for the list of acceptable choices/NO ORIGINAL SPEECHES OR POEMS) and be familiar with the play from which the monologue was taken. There is more information and a link to approved monologues below.
• Applicants wishing to be considered for Musical Theatre will also perform a song. More information below.

You may be asked to participate in an individual interview if the faculty needs further clarification concerning your application to NOCCA.
 

Audition Information
Set yourself up for success; give yourself plenty of time to prepare your song and monologue. It will not only lead to better results, it will allow for a less stressful audition day for you.
 

Acting Audition
For the Acting portion of the audition, you will perform a memorized monologue selection provided by the department (see below for the list of acceptable choices/NO ORIGINAL SPEECHES OR POEMS).

Please take some time to be familiar with the play from which the monologue was taken. Read the play, understand the context, and be prepared to answer questions about your character. If you are having trouble locating a copy of the play, please reach out to Amy Holtcamp (aholtcamp@nocca.com) for assistance.
 

Musical Theatre Additional Audition Requirements

Music Audition – Only for applicants who want to be considered for the Musical Theatre track
Choose and prepare a song to perform at the audition. 
For your song choice, there are two options:

• Option 1:  Choose any song that you enjoy singing.  
  • Any style is acceptable, though songs from musicals are preferred.
  • Memorize the song: You may hold a page with the lyrics or the sheet music if necessary, however, you should know the lyrics and melody well enough to look up and articulate clearly. Please do not read directly off the page.
  • For the song that you choose, you must have sheet music with piano accompaniment; at the audition, you will perform with an accompanist.  There are many sources for sheet music: a music teacher at school or music minister at church can help, or you can purchase sheet music for many songs online (musicnotes.com is a popular site). Please reach out to Jose Simbulan (jsimbulan@nocca.com) with any questions about sheet music.
  • Applicants should not prepare to sing a capella (unaccompanied) or with a recorded accompaniment track.
     
• Option 2:  Sing “Over the Rainbow.”
  • For this song, sheet music is provided, along with recorded rehearsal accompaniment tracks.
  • Choose the vocal range that suits your voice. Three different ranges, or “keys” are provided:  a higher range (key of Eb),  a medium range (key of C), and a lower range (key of Ab). The key that best shows off your voice is the correct one to use.
    • Over The Rainbow-low melody
    • Over the Rainbow-low accompaniment
    • Over the Rainbow-medium melody
    • Over the Rainbow-medium accompaniment
    • Over the Rainbow-high melody
    • Over the Rainbow-high accompaniment
  • Memorize the song to perform at the audition. You may hold a page with the lyrics or the sheet music if necessary. However, you should know the lyrics and melody well enough to look up and articulate clearly. Please do not read directly off the page.
  • At the audition, you will perform with an accompanist.  You should have the sheet music to refer to as you prepare, though at the audition we will have copies for the accompanist.
     

If you have any questions about the song choice or preparation, feel free to reach out to Jose Simbulan (jsimbulan@nocca.com).

Audition Requirements