Audition Requirements

2023-2024 applicants – all information on the audition process is below. Please read carefully and access additional, conservatory-specific information using the links provided. For more information on how to apply for ChiArts, visit our website here

Please read the information below carefully.

  • Auditions are required for ALL students who wish to be considered for admission.
  • Any student who does not submit an audition will not be considered for admission.
  • Students are responsible for preparing the requirements for the program(s) to which they are applying, and submitting them by the audition submission deadline.

Audition results paired with program ranking for incoming first-year students will determine admission results. Students will have the opportunity to audition in-person or virtually this year.

ChiArts holds auditions for all students who wish to enroll. Students are offered admission based on their audition scores. In the event there are more students who have auditioned and have received qualifying scores than there are seats available, those students are placed on a waiting list for possible admission if a seat should become available. ChiArts does NOT participate in the lottery system via GoCPS

Please find information pertaining to your audition below. Requirements may vary for transfer students – please visit our website here for more information regarding the transfer process and timeline. If you have questions, contact Admissions at 773-534-9718 or admissions@chiarts.org.

How to Audition In-Person for ChiArts – Advice Videos

How to Audition Virtually for ChiArts – Advice Videos

In-Person Audition Instructions:

Prospective students will have the option to sign up for an in-person or virtual audition through the GoCPS application. If you would like to audition in-person, you will need to register for an audition date via the GoCPS application

Due to the high volume of applications, early audition registration is encouraged. We have a limited number of available audition days, and late registration or rescheduling an audition may not be an option.

It is the student’s responsibility to research and meet all requirements, and present a prepared audition. Auditions are scored using a rubric (samples are listed below), judging performance, presentation, and potential. The audition panel for each discipline includes, but is not limited to, the following: a community arts partner, a ChiArts representative, a ChiArts conservatory Department Head, or a Department Assistant.

Be prepared to present an audition with all requirements for your discipline listed on our website here.

If your child is eligible for an audition and requires an accommodation identified in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that is necessary in order to audition, you must inform ChiArts Admissions staff prior to the audition day. The procedures for this will be communicated once audition invitations are sent.

Remote Audition Instructions:

Students who choose to submit digital auditions must indicate so on the GoCPS application in order to receive the virtual audition application. Please have the application and all audition materials submitted by January 14th, 2023. Be sure to review the audition requirements for the program(s) you apply to, found below.

Audition requirements for:

Creative Writing
Dance
Music
Theatre
Visual Arts

Additional audition resources:

Suggested Songs for Vocal Auditions (MUSIC)
Music for Percussion Auditions (MUSIC)
Suggested Songs for Musical Theatre Auditions (THEATRE)
Sample Monologues for Acting & Musical Theatre Auditions (THEATRE)

Sample audition rubrics (score sheets):

Creative Writing
Dance
Music Instrumental (Brass, Guitar, Piano, Strings, Woodwinds)
Music Percussion (Novice)
Music Percussion (Advanced)
Music Voice
Theatre: Acting
Theatre: Musical Theatre
Visual Arts

Please note that ChiArts and the Admissions Office will be closed from December 24th, 2022 to January 8th, 2023 for the CPS Winter Break. Please look below for frequently asked questions regarding the upcoming January auditions. 
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions:
 
1. Why haven’t I received a confirmation email for my in-person or virtual audition?
All confirmation emails have been sent out, so if you haven’t received a confirmation email, please first check your spam. If you are still unable to find it, please go to go.cps.edu to double check which email you listed on your application. Check the spelling and confirm the email you listed to receive reminders is correct. If you are still unable to find an email, please email us and we will send you an email with the necessary details when we return from break on January 9th, 2023. 

2. Why didn’t I receive a confirmation email after I submitted my virtual audition?

All confirmation emails are sent out manually by the Admissions team, including emails sent confirming we’ve received your virtual audition submission. We will send out confirmation emails for your virtual auditions as soon as we are able when we return to the office. 
 
3. What should I prepare for my audition? 
If you are unsure of what to prepare for your audition, we recommend choosing one of our recommended monologuessongs, or instrumental arrangements on our website! 
 
4. How do I prepare for my in-person audition? 
We recommend watching our In-Person Audition Advice videos for a full breakdown from ChiArts staff and students on how to prepare for your upcoming audition! This also gives you a good idea of what to expect when you enter the audition room as well. 

5. How do I prepare my virtual audition?

For all our students auditioning virtually, we have Virtual Audition Advice videos with tips and tricks on recording a successful audition! Please make sure you have your virtual audition submitted by or before 11:59pm on January 14th, 2023. If you would like to submit early, you are welcome and encouraged to do so. 
 

6. What do I need to prepare for my audition?

Please look below for audition requirements broken down by conservatory. 
 
7. What link do I submit my virtual audition to? 
The virtual audition submission form is available here. We recommend submitting your audition on a computer since submitting on your phone can often cause technical difficulties when uploading your audition materials. Please submit all audition materials through the form above, we do not recommend sending us your audition materials through email. 
 
8. I made a mistake on my virtual audition form, how do I go back and change it? 
The audition form is not final until you click submit. If you would like to go back and change any information, you are welcome to do so.
 

9. How do I submit an audition for multiple conservatories via the virtual audition form? 

If you are submitting for multiple conservatories, you will need to submit the form multiple times. Be aware that each conservatory asks different questions and requires different materials. 

10. GoCPS says my virtual audition is at 12pm on January 14th, what does that mean?

The GoCPS system requires them to put a designated time for an audition reservation, but the 12pm time slot for virtual auditions is arbitrary. There will be no virtual meetings or zoom links sent out for virtual auditions. All virtual auditions must be submitted through the form provided above.