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THE IRENE RYAN ACTING SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE FESTIVAL TO PARTICIPATE IN  ANY AUDITION OR SHOWCASE!

National Website: Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions

The main focus of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions is to celebrate the nation’s finest student actors and the craft that enables them to create compelling and truthful characterizations. Beginning with Festival XXXVII in 2005, the Irene Ryan Acting   Scholarship Auditions will heighten the focus on craft in auditions by showcasing actors in two (2) two-person scenes and a monologue or song for candidates who advance to the final round of competition at the regional and national levels. 

Specific rules and criteria appear below but students and coaches are advised that significant change in the structure of the auditions makes time management an important consideration in preparing an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Audition. 

Candidates are permitted:

• a maximum of three minutes in the regional preliminary round to present a single two-person scene (which may or may not incorporate singing).
• a maximum of five minutes in the regional semifinal round to perform the preliminary round scene AND a contrasting two-person scene (which may or may not incorporate singing) using the same partner for both scenes.
• a maximum of six minutes in the regional final round and national “Evening of Scenes” to present the semi final round audition scenes plus a monologue or solo musical number.

Auditions will be evaluated using the following criteria at every level of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions and are of particular importance in the regional preliminary round:

• Ability to urgently pursue strong, clear objectives.
• Ability to partner.  
• Ability to make varied, specific and bold acting choices.
• Mastery of an expressive and flexible vocal and physical instrument.
• Demonstration of facility with language and a clear understanding of the text.
• Demonstration of range and contrast.

Given the above criteria actors are strongly encouraged to select and prepare material for auditions that will demonstrate the above competencies, and to avoid material designed to demonstrate the actor’s cleverness as an end in and of itself.

THE CHANGES

Preliminary Round: The Regional Preliminary Round audition shall consist of one (1) two-person scene not to exceed a maximum of three (3) minutes in length. If the audition incorporates singing, at least 50% of the scene must be in dialogue or duet with partner and the accompanist will not count as the partner unless singing/performing with the candidate.

Semifinal Round: The regional semifinal round audition must be composed of the preliminary round audition scene plus a second two-person scene using the same partner in both scenes. Singing may be incorporated in the second two-person scene in the same manner as the preliminary round. The semifinal round audition will not exceed a maximum of five (5) minutes total.

Final Round: The Final Round audition at the regional and national levels shall consist of the semifinal round audition scenes plus a monologue or solo musical number. The audition will not exceed a maximum of six (6) minutes total. 

Royalties-Guidelines-Audition Tips 

For more information please contact your Regional Irene Ryan Acting  Scholarship Coordinator

Leigh Selting
Region Vice Chair
Dept of Theatre and Dance
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave
Dept. 3951
Laramie, WY 82071-3951
(307) 766-2198
selting@uwyo.edu .

National Website: Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions