Auditioning for Gifted and Talented Middle Schools this spring? Here are some tips....

• Find out as much as you can about the programs. Attend Open Houses and speak with BCT Alumni who have auditioned for these schools and who attend them.
• Find out when auditions are and what the requirements are early on. Most schools ask for a short monologue and song sung A capella (without musical accompaniment). Both will need to be memorized. Some schools also send an additional monologue that all the students auditioning will need to memorize and perform. The sooner you can prepare your own monologue and song, the less stressful it will be to add this second monologue to your audition prep.
• Choose a monologue that you feel comfortable with, you connect to and that sounds like something you would say if you were writing it. Some of the books other BCT students have used are: The Ultimate Monologue Book for Middle School Actors: 111 One-minute Monologues and Teen Speak - Sixty Original Monologues, both by Kristen Darbrowski. You can find these books at your local Barnes & Noble, Borders or order them online.
• Choose a song that is appropriate for your age and that shows off your voice and your personality. If you need recommendations, ask your BCT instructors.
• Practice your monologue and song for your friends, classmates, teachers and parents. While it is excellent to practice on your own, it is important to get used to performing for other people. Ask for their feedback and suggestions.
• Be prepared to do improvisational exercises and games, as well as answer questions about why you are interested in attending a performing arts program. Practice these just as you would your audition pieces.
• Remember: the selection committee is not looking for you to be perfect! They are looking for confidence, projection, and believability. All of those are within your control if you are prepared. So, don't wait until the last minute! The more comfortable you are with your audition pieces, the more you will be able to combat the nerves that are a part of auditioning.
• Break a leg and have fun!

---Contributed by Nicole Kempskie

LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN THEATRE? CHECK THESE OUT!

DEAR EDWINA OFF-BROADWAY
http://www.dearedwina.com/
Veteran BCT students will recognize this favorite! Check out the Off-Broadway production playing until January 25th at the DR2 Theatre in Chelsea about a spirited young girl named Edwina Spoonapple and her friends who put on a show in her garage each week.

13 THE MUSICAL ON BROADWAY
http://www.13themusical.com/
By the celebrated composer Jason Robert Brown(Parade, The Last Five Years) and performed by a cast entirely comprised of young actors, 13 is a musical about growing up. Check out the website to watch the premiere of the music video and watch these young performers in rehearsal. Previews begin September 16th at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

JOIN BROADWAYSPACE.COM
http://broadwayspace.com/
BroadwaySpace.com is a free social networking website for everyone who loves the theatre. BroadwaySpace gives both theatre industy professionals and fans alike a chance to create unique profiles, post photos and videos, network, blog and bond over their common passion: theatre.

THE NEW VICTORY THEATRE
http://newvictory.org/home.html
Located on 42nd Street in Manhattan, the New Victory is "New York's ultimate theatre for kids and families." In 1995, New York's oldest Broadway theatre was renovated and reopened as the New Victory, which now presents a full season of theatre, dance, circus acts, comedy, music and puppetry geared to youth and families.

KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY
http://kidsnightonbroadway.com
Kids' Night on Broadway is a program of the League of American Theatres and Producers and generally takes place in early winter. On Kids' Night on Broadway, young people ages 6-18 can see a Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.