It may be September, but it’s not too early for many high schoolers to start thinking about college applications. For one particular group, the current pandemic climate presents a new challenge: They won’t be auditioning in person for spots in performing arts programs.
“Because of the world we’re living in right now, online audition tapes are the new go-to, from college admissions to getting cast in a show,” said Shuler Hensley, the Tony Award-winning actor who grew up in Marietta and has been passionate about working with students across the metro area who aspire to careers in the performing arts.
As well as being a working actor, Hensley is the associate artistic director of the City Springs Theatre company in Sandy Springs. He’s also lent his name to the awards given annually for excellence in high school musical theater. Through his work with students, he realized the challenge this year’s college-bound crowd is facing.
“A lot of them are at a loss about how to apply for colleges in the current situation,” said Hensley. “Being a working actor and doing most of my career in New York and LA, I’m in the thick of the same thing they are when looking to audition for a performing arts college.”
Hensley tapped the expertise of admissions officers at several of schools and used that input to devise a new program as one of the City Springs’s educational offerings. “Next Step: College Prep” is a two-week, $300 session with four half-hour, one-on-one workshops with Hensley that focus on selecting audition material, polishing it and filming it – a process that’s significantly different from live theater.
“We’re taught about theater, the stage and a live audience, but how do you make the jump from that environment to making something unique on camera?” asked Hensley. “It’s a completely different animal but just as, if not more, important now when you’ve got just a couple of songs on a video to make an impression.”
The goal is to take material students have already learned and perfect it, then record it. Part of the program covers technical aspects students might not be familiar with, such as camera setups, lighting, sound and editing.
“This is also a good time for these kids to learn the whole craft, and that’s useful beyond making college tapes,” said Hensley.
The final filming session is done at City Springs' professional studio then edited and returned to students within a week. As an additional boost, Hensley promises to help with resumes and write letters of recommendation.
Elena Dollinger, a student in the Performing Arts program at North Springs High, welcomes the expert advice on her college audition tape.
“It’s so important to get my story and objectives across, and I’ve been trying to work on filming, but it’s so different,” she said. “It’s much more close up; it has to have certain angles. When you perform live and make a small mistake, no one will notice, but the camera captures everything.”
Dollinger, a soprano, is preparing two songs and two monologues for several schools that require filmed auditions to determine who gets an invitation to try out in person.
“The pre-screened films are very important this year, and it takes a lot of work so you look good on camera,” she said.
Hensley has also noticed that video auditions are gaining ground across the industry.
“Honestly, I feel this is the future of the way we do casting and auditions,” he said. “Technology’s gotten to the point where producers and colleges are using it because it’s just easier. It’s a new frontier for students, but it can give them the chance to work on the craft of presentation, and that’s a hugely valuable thing to start a college career with.”
Details about the College Prep sessions are at cityspringstheatre.com.
SEND US YOUR STORIES. Each week we look at programs, projects and successful endeavors at area schools, from pre-K to grad school. To suggest a story, contact H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or 770-744-3042.
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