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TO:                  Students Interested in Theatre at Whitworth University

FROM:            Diana Trotter, Ph.D., Chair, Theatre Department

RE:                  Theatre Talent Awards Auditions

DATE:             January 2013

Thank you for your interest in theatre at Whitworth University. I am excited to hear that you are considering Whitworth as one of your university choices!  We are enjoying a very busy year of courses and productions -- our fall production was a Whitworth Theatre first as we moved downtown to the historic Bing Crosby Theater for our production of the delightful musical, Honk!  In December we hosted our Festival of Shorts, two evenings of 10-minute plays. Senior projects thus far have featured Erin Ballo in a performance art installation at the Lied Gallery and Preston Loomer in a show based on the life of rock musician Nikki Sixx.  Our improv group, CoolWhip, has been busy entertaining people all year long and fall semester concluded with the popular improv competition between CoolWhip and our second troupe, On the Spot Players. Jan Term provides a break from the usual routine with students heading for New York to see and study theatre, doing service-learning work in Spokane by painting murals for the Spokane Children’s Theatre, and creating masks with guest artist Peter Hardie. Never a dull moment in Whitworth Theatre!

Whitworth offers scholarships to new and returning students in any major who are committed to participating in the theatre production program. The deadline for auditioning for a Theatre Talent Award for the 2013-14 academic year is Sunday March 10. We would prefer for you to audition in person if possible. However, you may also submit your audition via DVD or YouTube if a campus visit is not an option. Please call Program Assistant Jennifer Toulouse-Lee at 509.777.3707, or e-mail her at jtoulouse-lee@whitworth.edu to schedule an appointment or submit your audition.

Your audition should consist of two contrasting pieces: one humorous and one dramatic monologue of no more than one minute each. If you are primarily interested in production, you may instead present a three-minute presentation of your portfolio (designs, costume renderings, stage-managing experience, technical work, etc).  If you are considering a dance minor, you may substitute one to two minutes of choreographed dance in the genre of your choosing for either of the monologues.  Please include a résumé that lists your theatre experiences along with a brief paragraph describing your willingness to commit to our program through performance, backstage work, or other areas of interest to you.

Award recipients will be expected to participate actively in the theatre production program through performance, backstage work, publicity and box office work or other jobs as necessary, regardless of their major. Failure to meet the requirements of the award during the fall semester will result in the rescinding of the second half of the award in the spring. While students primarily interested in the dance minor are welcome to audition for Theatre Talent Awards, please note that these awards are intended for students who use their skills to support the theatre production program.

Competition for these scholarships is keen, and we urge you to prepare now!  Please write or call if you have concerns or questions. This is an exciting time for you as you make these far-reaching decisions!