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Mentorship Application
Mentorship applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing, the Theatre Foundations programme or equivalent training elsewhere. RSA students in Theatre Foundations automatically complete elements of the Mentorship application during the last month of the Winter term, including a Statement of Purpose, Audition, and Interview.
New students to RSA, who meet eligibility criteria for Mentorship, can apply for direct entry into Mentorship Level 1 by submitting a full application (Application Process - Rosebud School of the Arts), participating in an RSA Weekend (RSA Weekend - Rosebud School of the Arts), and performing an Audition or submitting a Portfolio as outlined below.
New students to RSA, who meet eligibility criteria for Mentorship, can apply for direct entry into Mentorship Level 1 by submitting a full application (Application Process - Rosebud School of the Arts), participating in an RSA Weekend (RSA Weekend - Rosebud School of the Arts), and performing an Audition or submitting a Portfolio as outlined below.
Declaration of Major
Applicants declare a first and a second choice of major. If only one area of the Mentorship programme is of interest, then a second choice is not required. RSA offers four Mentorship majors:
- Acting
- Theatre Arts
- Music Performance
- Technical Theatre
The education team will consider the application with regard to the first choice. The second choice will be considered only if application for the first choice is unsuccessful. Due to the length and intensive nature of the process, application for a second choice will not be considered after the decision is made.
Application Components
- Statement of Purpose - April 6, 2024
- Audition or Portfolio - April 18, 2024
- Interview - Week of April 23-27, 2024
1. Statement of Purpose
A four-page statement of purpose outlines the applicant’s gifts and aspirations, reflecting on the following themes:
- Declaration of first choice of major and second choice if applicable
- Articulation of desire and aptitude for first choice of major
- Communication of future plans, answering the question “who do you wish to become and how do you wish to grow?”
- Detailed comparison between RSA Mentorship and similar programmes at two other post-secondary institutions
- A thoughtful explanation for wishing to pursue training at RSA rather than at another school
- Personal contribution the applicant would like to make to RSA
2. Audition or Portfolio
The audition or portfolio requirements are specific to the major of study:
Acting Audition
- Monologues – two contrasting monologues, two to four minutes in length, at least one of which is drawn from contemporary repertoire
- Song – 32 bars or 60 seconds of a musical theatre song, highlighting the natural quality of the voice, clear tone, pitch and indication of range
- Cold Reading – the applicant may be asked to do some exercises that cannot be prepared, such as a cold reading, musical sight-reading, and tone recognition
- Overall – confidence, honesty, a realistic interpretation of the pieces, a connection to the heart of the characters, physicalization, communication of story, a full understanding of the pieces and the characters within the context of the plays
Theatre Arts Audition
- An acting audition (see requirements above)
- A resume detailing leadership and organizational abilities, such as public speaking, sunday school teacher, camp counselor, worship leader, student council, organizing a class trip, fundraiser, etc.
Music Performance Audition
- Two pieces of contrasting nature on the major instrument
- Singing two prepared songs
- Sight reading and tone recognition exercises
- Demonstrated ability on one or more secondary instruments
- Cold reading of a segment from a play
Technical Theatre Portfolio
- Portfolio presentation of activities in technical theatre and/or stage management
- Brief assessment of acting and music knowledge
- Interview with head of the technical theatre programme to gauge knowledge and competency
3. Interview
A 20-minute interview with three members of the education team. The main topics of discussion will be the statement of purpose and the applicant’s educational and career goals.
Decision
The decision for Mentorship acceptance rests with the education team and is communicated with each applicant after completion of the winter term. Input from instructors and staff are taken into consideration in addition to the following factors:
Talent
- Does the audition panel see talent and potential in the declared major?
- Given the training offered at RSA, does the applicant show ability to participate in Studio Stage or Opera House shows?
Teachability
- Do RSA instructors have confidence in their ability to teach the applicant?
- Has the applicant demonstrated growth in RSA classes thus far?
- Does the applicant take responsibility for learning?
Lifestyle
- Does the applicant show an active interest in art and spirituality or matters of faith?
- Does the applicant thrive in an ensemble setting?
- Does the applicant contribute constructively to the community of Rosebud?
Purpose
- Does the applicant have a reasonable understanding of their gifts?
- Does the statement of purpose make a convincing case for an RSA education?
- Is the applicant focused and realistic about their goals?