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Eligibility

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.

Criteria

Student artists participating in the Musical Theatre Initiative auditions are encouraged to make material and artistic choices with consideration of the following criteria:

• Choosing material suited for the actor that reflects self-awareness, expressive emotional range, wide vocal range, and physical connectedness.
• Engaging in active objectives and tactics to affect how they are speaking to their imaginary scene partner. (Acting is action: what is your objective? what/who is your obstacle?)
• Living truthfully in the moment of their given circumstances. (Who, what, where, when, why, and how?) 
• Expressing a compelling story with a clear arc from beginning to middle to end.
• Demonstrating a connection with an imaginary scene partner (i.e., who you are speaking to?), projected imagery, and specific fourth wall focal points. 
• Making a Body/Voice Connection. (Are you filling the space vocally, energetically, and in connection with your body? Can we understand you?)
• Displaying Musical Technique, including effective use of breath, appropriate phrasing, clear vocal tone, correct notes/rhythms/lyrics.

Event

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

How to Participate

Check your Region's website for application details as well as for specifics on logistics, technical provisions, casting, and organization. 

If you have questions about the Musical Theatre Intensive Fellowship program, please contact: Brad Dell, Co-Interim National Vice-Chair, KCACTF, [email protected].

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.