Musical Theatre Intensive

(MTI)

The National KCACTF Musical Theatre Fellowship program is designed to celebrate, recognize, and foster outstanding musical theatre students from colleges and universities throughout the nation. The National Musical Theatre Fellowship cohort will be comprised of at least one student selected from each of the eight Regional festivals. Selected students will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the KCACTF National Festival at the Kennedy Center to participate in the Musical Theatre Intensive Fellowship. The curriculum is designed and led by KCACTF representatives and D.C. Theatre professionals.

*Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.*

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Eligiblity

To be eligible, students must:

Attend an institution that has entered either an associate or participating production during the year in which the nomination occurs; and
Be a bona fide student at the time of the Regional Festival.

Event

Applicants for the Musical Theatre Intensive Fellowship are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Singing ability
Stage presence
Demonstrated mastery of an expressive vocal and physical instrument
Ability to urgently pursue strong, clear objectives through song
Ability to make varied, specific and bold acting choices while singing
Coachability

Musical Theatre Intensive programming may vary from Region to Region, but all Regions will invite Guest Artists (possibly including a rep from Open Jar) or Faculty from outside their Region to serve as selectors who will use the above criteria to determine which student(s) will represent their Region at the National Musical Theatre Intensive Fellowship. Regional programming may include any or all of the following:

Preliminary Round of MTI Auditions
Semi-Final Round of MTI Auditions
Final Round of MTI Auditions
MTI Cabaret and/or Final Public Showcase
Dance Auditions and Dance Showcase
MTI Coaching Sessions from Guest Artists
MTI Feedback Sessions

Musical Theatre Intensive at the National Festival

The National Fellowship will include, but is not limited to:

Experiential singing, dance, and acting workshops and master classes with D.C. and national artists
Panel Discussions with professional Musical Theatre performers, directors, and musicians
Individual coaching sessions
Attendance of D.C. area professional musical theatre productions
Participation in a group number performance
Showcase of solo performance and group numbers in as a part of the National Festival’s Irene Ryan and Musical Theatre Fellow Showcase.

One or more students from the National Musical Theatre Fellowship Cohort will receive an all- expenses paid scholarship to the Open Jar Institute Summer Intensive – five days of high intensity workshops in acting, singing, dance, and audition technique – all taught by Broadway professionals. Additional awards may be offered in the future.

How to Participate

Region 6 Festival Participation Details

Audition Process

For the first round of auditions, students should prepare two 16-bar cuts of contrasting pieces from the musical theatre repertoire (not to exceed 90 seconds). A select number of singers (approximately 10) from the first round will advance to the final round. Students selected for the final round will be invited to perform

For finals, performers will sing a full song from one of the selections they performed in Round 1 for a panel of selectors from the musical theatre industry. Each finalists’ performance material should not exceed 4 minutes.

Round 1 – 90 seconds to present 2 contrasting song cuts

Round 2 – 1 full song from one of the two songs presented in the preliminary round

Two performers will be selected from Round 2 as the Regional Finalist and runner-up for the region. The regional finalist will also advance to the national conference at the Kennedy Center, and the runner-up will be the alternate.

Audition Rules

Performers must audition with live accompaniment, and therefore must have clean copies of their sheet music for the pianist. An accompanist will be provided; you may not provide your own accompanist, but a performer may accompany themself. Music should be clearly marked and secured in a binder. Please ensure that none of the notes of your songs, including those in the accompaniment, have been cut off on your photocopy. Only students from institutions that had participating or associate productions with-in the last calendar year may be eligible for scholarships and awards.

How to Register-

Register for the MTI Scholarship Auditions via the link below. You will be asked to enter your name, contact information, home institution, and selected audition material. You must register for the Festival before you submit an application for MTI. All students, those nominated by a KCACTF respondent or not, need to submit an MTI audition application. Students may register for MTI auditions until 6PM on Feb. 27, the first day of the festival.

Award Criteria for MTI Response

· Engagement in active objectives and tactics to affect who they are speaking to-their imaginary scene partner. (acting is action, what is your objective?, what/who is your obstacle?)

· Expressing truthful investment in the moment of their given circumstances. (who, what, where, when, why, how)

· Express compelling storytelling with a clear arc from beginning, to middle, to end.

· Demonstrate a connection with an imaginary scene partner (who they are speaking to), projected imagery, and specific fourth wall focal points.

· Body/Voice Connection - Are they filling the space vocally, energetically and in connection with their bodies? Can we understand them?

· Musical and Vocal Technique - Effective use of breath, appropriate phrasing, clear vocal tone, correct notes/rhythms/lyrics.

· Choice of material suited for the actor which reflects a self-awareness, expressive emotional range, vocal range and physical connectedness of the performer.

Objectives and Storytelling:

Participants should play strong acting objectives throughout their selection and each performance must include a storytelling arc with a clear beginning, middle and ending.

Acting and Vocal Choices:

Participants should make varied, specific, and bold acting and vocal choices, expressing them throughout the performance both lyrically and musically.

Vocal Acuity:

Participants should display a strong understanding of vocal technique, exhibiting a healthy and versatile instrument through which the student makes varied, and informed musical choices that add texture and layers to their overall performance. The performer must exhibit a strong understanding of the lyrics and accompaniment. Musicality is strongly considered.

Connection:

Participants are expect to physically connect with their material, making strong and varied choices that express their character’s objectives both physically and emotionally.

Range:

Participants should demonstrate range as both an actor and vocalist and are expected to select contrasting pieces from the musical theatre canon.

Eligibility

Only those performers who are bona fide students during the festival year are eligible. For the purpose of these awards, a bona fide student is:

An undergraduate student* registered for at least six semester or equivalent quarter hours;
A graduate student* registered for at least three semester or equivalent quarter hours;
Or a continuing part-time student* enrolled in a regular degree or certificate program.

*Undergraduate, graduate, and continuing part-time students must be matriculating and pursuing a degree at the time of the KCACTF official response. The chair of the theatre department (or their delegate) must verify the candidate is a bona fide student status.

Deadlines

Participants must register for the Festival before they submit an application for MTI. All students, those nominated by a KCACTF respondent or not, need to submit an MTI audition application. Students may register for MTI auditions until 6PM on Feb. 25.