KCACTF Acting Scholarship Auditions 

Welcome everyone to the KCACTF Acting Scholarship Auditions. Acting nominations from Associate and Participating productions are the foundation for this event in Region 3, and nationally. However, any student from any participating Region 3 school may self-nominate. 

All entries require two registrations to participate. Students must register for the festival as well as for the event. 

PLEASE CHECK THIS LINK FOR PERMISSION/ROYALTY INFORMATION REGARDING MATERIAL SELECTION: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/pre-professional-artist-training/kcactf/performance/ryans/irene-ryan-auditions-tips–suggestions/ Scroll down and click on “Royalties & Permissions” for details regarding permissions, etc. for monologue and scene selection.

• SELF-NOMINATIONS Any student from a participating Region 3 school can nominate themselves for the KCACTF Acting Scholarship Auditions. 
• REGISTRATION and SUBMISSION deadline for Preliminary Round recorded audition material for all participants is December 20, 2023.

Preliminary Round: Two contrasting monologues, time limit of three minutes total (recorded; submission via private YouTube link).

• Preliminary round is virtual and submissions due by December 20, 2023 via a private YouTube link.
• Students must have a paid registration to considered for advancement to Semi-finals.
• Semi-Finalists are announced at opening ceremony.

NOTE: the preliminary round submission will be pre-recorded, with respondent feedback sessions on the first day of festival, in person. 

Semi-Final Round:  One monologue (from preliminary round, student choice) and one scene, time limit of five minutes total.

• Students will receive feedback from the Semi-Final Round Selectors at festival.

Final Round:  Two contrasting monologues from Preliminary Round and one scene from Semi-Final Round, time limit of six minutes total.

• Students will receive feedback from the Final Round Selectors at festival.

RULES

For our 2024 Festival, Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions will consist of two monologues and one scene. There should be no internal edits for any of the selections. Nominees are encouraged to find scripts from a variety of sources (new scripts, contact playwrights, etc.).

Specifically:

• Preliminary Round: Two monologues, time limit of three minutes seconds total (recorded; submission via private YouTube link).
• Semi-Final Round: One monologue (from preliminary round, actor’s choice), and one scene, time limit of 5 minutes total.
• Final Round: 2 contrasting* monologues from Preliminary Round and one scene, time limit of 6 minutes total.

The “contrasting” may consist of contemporary/classical, style, character type, etc…

For all 3 rounds: Be sure to introduce yourself, your partner, and introduce your selections (DO NOT IDENTIFY YOUR SCHOOL OR STATE AFFILIATION). The introduction/slate is not counted towards the total time limit.

Evaluation Criteria

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 make varied, specific, and bold acting choices.
• Mastery of an expressive and flexible vocal and physical instrument.
• Demonstration of a facility with language and a clear understanding of the text.

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. 

No songs are allowed. Please register for participation in the Music Theatre Intensive event if you are interested in performing a musical theatre piece.

Partners: Students may partner with one (1) other nominee and also be considered for the Acting Scholarship themselves. These students will prepare the two monologues described in the criteria above and will have the option to utilize the same scene described above or a second scene with either the same partner or another student.

All participants, including partners, must have a paid festival registration in order to participate in the Acting Scholarship Audition.