Spotlight — FUHS Theatre

THE SPOTLIGHT 2018 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

The Application Deadline is October 16, 2017. The Grand Finale Performance takes place on June 6, 2018 at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

ABOUT SPOTLIGHT
Southern California High School students of ALL talent levels are encouraged to apply for FREE. Much more than a competition, Spotlight is a scholarship and training program, which encourages personal and artistic growth, while exploring new possibilities in the arts! Cash SCHOLARSHIPS up to $5,000, MASTER CLASSES with world renowned artists, WORKSHOPS, and more! Take a chance on yourself and apply!

Categories: acting, ballet, classical instrumental, classical voice, jazz instrumental, non-classical dance, non-classical voice

Preliminary 1 (First Round) auditions will be online video submissions
Preliminary 2 and Semifinal rounds will be live auditions
Spotlight Semifinalists and Honorable Mentions from the previous year will automatically bypass Preliminary 1 and advance to Preliminary 2 auditions
See Category Rules

ACTING

If you participated in last year's program and were selected to be a Semifinalist or Honorable Mention in January 2017, you will bypass the Preliminary 1 video audition and advance to Preliminary 2 to schedule your live audition.

WHAT’S REQUIRED OF ME FOR MY ACTING PRELIMINARY 1 VIDEO AUDITION?

All students begin with a Preliminary 1 video audition. Those scoring highest will advance to Preliminary 2 live auditions in January 2018. Those scoring highest after Preliminary 2 will advance to the Semifinals

Prepare one contemporary monologue, either dramatic or comedic. We define contemporary as material written after 1920
Your monologue for your Preliminary audition should be 1 ½ - 2 minutes in length and must be performed in English
Your monologue must be memorized and come from a published play. No original material will be allowed
Your selection must be spoken word; no singing, although you may use a monologue from a published musical that has been performed on Broadway
Please choose material that you closely identify with and can relate to. Avoid characters which are much older or younger than you
Do not use a dialect or accent
Chairs will be permitted but may not be thrown or forcefully propelled
Choose a monologue in which you play only one character
No sexually explicit or physically violent material will be allowed
Avoid selections from monologue books, unless you have read the entire play and understand the given circumstances of your monologue
If selected to advance to Preliminary 2, you will perform two monologues of your choice for your live audition

GUIDELINES FOR RECORDING YOUR AUDITION

Your recording device can be a cell phone, tablet, camera, etc. You do NOT have to rent fancy recording equipment. We will refer to the recording devices as "cameras"
Your audition monologue should contain the following introduction: "My monologue is from (title of play) by (author) in the (role/character)."
Your audition will be viewed on a large screen, please be sure your image is clear. The panel must be able to see your facial expressions to properly adjudicate your work
Props are limited to one stool/chair and one table
Use a fixed point of view for your camera with you being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. Do not pan or move the camera
Record your audition in a clearly defined interior space
The back drop should be a neutral color that is free of creases, breaks and distractions
Do not record in front of your fireplace with trophies on the mantle and family portraits on the wall or in your school’s scene shop with the set crew constructing the next production. It’s distracting from you
When recording with a tablet or cellphone, use the landscape/horizontal mode for best results

Before recording your piece, film a test. Perform the first few lines of your monologue, then watch and listen to it on playback. Check the following important things:

Sound: Make sure the acoustics in the room are strong. Practice your piece in the space. If you hear an echo in playback, adjust the recording volume or choose someplace else to record. Utilize only the microphone on the video camera. Do not use a hand held microphone. Make sure your phone ringer is off
Lighting: Make sure the space is well-lit, but not too bright. Judges should be able to see your face clearly. Too little light and judges cannot see you. Too much light will leave you overexposed and judges cannot see your expressions
Framing: The camera should be set at a distance to frame your face and body clearly. If judges only see your face and shoulders, it's too close. If judges can see the entire stage but your facial expressions cannot be seen clearly, it's too far away
Performance: Just like in a live audition, unless directed to do so, don’t address the camera directly. Also called “breaking the fourth wall,” looking into camera can distract from your performance. Pick a focal point just off-camera. Since you’re shooting yourself, you can even place a sticker on the camera a smidgen to the left or right to keep your focus out of the lens.
Clothing: Wear clothing that is simple, comfortable and tasteful. And remember, your clothing should never be more interesting than your audition. For example, stripes, patterns, or large advertisements can be very distracting. Wear something that has a gentle contrast to the back drop and will help us see you clearly. If you are recording against a black back drop, do not wear black. Please do not wear large jewelry. No costumes or stage makeup is allowed

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION VIDEO

After you have recorded your monologue, watch it in playback to make sure you can be seen and heard
When uploading, verify that image is upright (not sideways) and plays smoothly
Save and name your file and upload into application
Please do not do any of the following as it may disqualify you:
- Do not edit within a piece
- Do not use special effects, dissolves, fades or wipes
- Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions

WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR:

Diction/Articulation – Are you clearly enunciating words so that we understand you?
Authenticity – Are you speaking in a real manner in order to create believability?
Characterization - Do you have a clear point of view and finding the emotional levels of a scene?
Body Language – Is your posture disconnected from the text? Don’t forget to breathe!
Interpretation - Are you finding the beats and transitions? What does your character want? What is compelling your character to talk? What happens right before you begin your scene?

Please be sure you follow all requirements related to your application. Failure to comply with any of the requirements listed below may result in disqualification during the review process and/or make your application ineligible for an award.

To start or complete your Spotlight application, click here.
If your application is already open, simply click on the Acceptd tab on your computer to return to it.

Got Questions??? Email us at spotlight@musiccenter.org

More Information

Spotlight Application