First Level Screening
Candidates submit a portfolio consisting of 4 – 8 objects they have created. Judges ask: Does work sample reveal originality in idea or concept? Originality in execution? Understanding of design and aesthetic concepts? Originality, depth, sophistication, understanding, technical skill in the student’s specific area of interest? Breadth, such as experience with various media as well as varied approaches to a given medium? A high degree of technical proficiency? An openness to new ideas and a willingness to experiment?

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a portfolio consisting of 4 – 8 objects they have created. Judges ask: Does work sample reveal originality in idea or concept? Originality in execution? Understanding of design and aesthetic concepts? Originality, depth, sophistication, understanding, technical skill in the student’s specific area of interest? Breadth, such as experience with various media as well as varied approaches to a given medium? A high degree of technical proficiency? An openness to new ideas and a willingness to experiment?

Semifinalist Level
Semifinalist candidates bring the portfolio submitted at the first level as well as their sketchbooks to the live interview. They are given an on-site drawing assignment to perform. The judges at the semifinalist interviews are looking at the same criteria as at the first level, but also looking at the degree of conceptuality revealed in the art work. The on-site drawing is evaluated for the candidate’s creativity, skills and conceptuality on the spot. In the interview, judges listen to the candidate’s ability to articulate artistic ideas, self-awareness, commitment and maturity of vision.
Visual Arts II: Photography

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a portfolio consisting of no more than 10 black and white or color photographs. Technical considerations: work sample reveals familiarity/experience with basic printing and processing procedures, an awareness of basic camera functions (aperture, depth of field, shutter speed, film speed, etc.), and proficiency in presentation. Print aesthetics: black & white prints display depth of tone and scale, form and value separation; color prints display emotion and reason for use of color; print deviations are appropriate to subject; subject matter displays maturity and inner personal experience; awareness of light. Compositions: should be balanced, well composed, clearly articulating statement and vision, free of extraneous matter.

Semifinalist Level
Semifinalist candidates bring the portfolio submitted at the first level. In addition to all of the first level criteria, the judges look at how the work sample exhibits vitality of vision and receptiveness to new ideas. The on-site exercise probes the candidate’s ability to analyze photographic images and respond to them as an aesthetic medium. In talking with the candidate, the judges listen to how the candidate conceives ideas for pictures, articulates technical and aesthetic concepts and demonstrates self-awareness, commitment and maturity.
Creative Writing

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a manuscript of no fewer than 4 and no more than 7 pages of poetry and/or fiction writing. Poetry should demonstrate firm, recognizable rhythm in free verse or form, detail or imagery that supports the central movement of the piece or a metaphor that unifies it. Stories should have well-rounded, credible characters, believable dialogue and a well developed setting. All work should demonstrate true imagination and originality, evidence of the ability to transform experience and thoughts that is interesting. Commercial genre formula writing, unspecific language, tricks for easy resolutions and sentimental or clichéd material should be avoided. The narrative (autobiographical) statement is considered an extension of the candidate’s writing sample and should display strong skills, personal style, voice, perspective, originality and maturity.

Semifinalist Level
Candidates bring a copy of the manuscript submitted with the application. They may also bring up to 5 pages of new work if they wish, but it is not necessary. In addition to the criteria applied at the first level, the judges at the second level look at the work sample for evidence of understanding of the conventions of imaginative writing. In the course of interviews with two different judges, candidates are asked about their reading habits and influences as well as their approach to writing processes, their knowledge and attitudes toward their own creations. An on-site writing assignment reveals the student’s creativity and skills on the spot. The judges listen for the ability to speak insightfully about writing and literature and for evidence of the ability to work together with a group of peers engaged in critique sessions.
Dance

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a videotape of their solo performances in two short dances drawn from the genres of ballet, jazz, and/or modern. Aesthetic considerations (regardless of the genre in which the candidate is performing): does the work sample demonstrate an awareness of space, line, volume, shape and direction? Does the work sample show candidate performing with strength, flexibility, agility and endurance? Does the work sample reveal the candidate’s ability to endure the high energy demands of dance? Does the work sample display an effective body instrument and skill in movement? Does the work sample demonstrate sensitivity to music, good timing and phrasing, an understanding of rhythmic changes involving meter, accent and pattern? Does the work sample demonstrate quality changes in movement, the ability to respond to stimuli with spontaneity and imagination using force, rhythm and space? Does the candidate display an ability to project and relate to the audience?

Semifinalist Level
Candidates perform live at the semifinalist level. In addition to performing a prepared piece, dancers participate in a class audition during which the judges put everyone through movements drawn from the chief genres of ballet, jazz and modern dance. In addition to the first level criteria, the second level judges look at technique and personal style. They look at aspects such as extension, elevation, alignment, proportion, flexibility, port de bras and concentration. The class audition is another opportunity for the judges to evaluate skills and technique as well as the response to trying new combinations and movements. The judges consider the candidate’s response in the class audition when making major class assignments for those selected to participate in the program.
Music

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a 10-minute audio tape or CD of their performance in one or two musical areas of student, drawn from instrumental, vocal or composition areas. The goal of the first level judges is to select the best overall musicians regardless of applied area (instrument, voice or composition). Aesthetic considerations for performers: work sample displays unusually good technical skills, accurate sense of pitch (does not apply to pianists), accurate sense of rhythm, good sense of style, a selection of material that reveals the level of expertise of the performer. In addition to demonstrating a competitive work sample in a performance area, composers must reveal through their compositions the ability to notate music, originality, strong technical skills and experience with more than one form of composition.

Semifinalist Level
Candidates perform live at the semifinalist audition. They are given a simple improvisation exercise and a sight-reading exercise. At this level, candidates compete within their musical area—clarinets are in competition with other clarinets, violinists with violinists, etc. In addition to applying the aesthetic criteria used in the first level of screening to the live semifinalist performance, the state level judges conduct a sight-reading exercise to determine the candidate’s level of reading skills and sense of rhythm. They also require all candidates to participate in an improvisational exercise that is used to evaluate creativity and openness to trying something new. The improvisational exercise does not involve theory.

Note for composers: Composers must also try out as instrumentalists or vocalists and prove to be competitive in a performance area in addition to being a competent composer.

Note for candidates in two musical areas: A candidate who submitted a tape/CD with two performance areas or performance and composition at the first level may present both areas at the semifinalist level.
Performance Theater

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a videotape no longer than 5 minutes of their performance of a monologue cut from a published play. Aesthetic considerations: Has the candidate made specific choices in choosing actions to interpret the scene? Created the notion of an absent partner, creating a give and take within the scene rather than mere emoting? Made logical choices in the creation of the character, using appropriate physical and vocal movement? Has a flexible physicality used with ease and expressiveness? Possesses a flexible voice that is clear, resonant and dimensional in a natural manner? Has the ability to bring out the character’s true meaning behind the words? Demonstrates an original interpretation instead of an imitation of a well-known actor’s work? Has chosen appropriate material that fits with the actor’s skills and talents, that is an original choice and has literary merit?

Semifinalist Level
Candidates perform their monologue live at this level. In addition to applying the aesthetic considerations used in the first level of screening, the state level judges require all candidates to participate in improvisational exercises. These are used to evaluate the creativity, openness to trying something new, ability to respond organically to the problem set up in the improvisation, ability to respond to new stimuli, ability to respond conceptually and with flexible physicality and vocal response.
Technical Theater

First Level Screening
Candidates submit a portfolio consisting of drawings, photographs and/or video documentation of work in set design, lighting, sound, costumes, and/or properties. It is not necessary that the candidate have experience in all areas. Considerations for scene design: the work sample reflects originality of design (is not copied from a Broadway play or a page out of a script) and displays proficiency in expressing design concept (accurate scale and perspective, dimensional shading and motivating color). Considerations for costume design: Displays originality of design (not a “Broadway” copy) and displays proficiency of design concepts, indicating mood, scale, fabrics and detail (texture, ornamentation, historical accuracy). Considerations for lighting design: Displays a relationship to plot in lay-out with a key to instrumentation, consistent scale, multiple scene and color overlay; creates a schedule for instrument, lamp position, gel; and creates a cue sheet indicating cue, dimmer, intensity. Considerations for make-up design: Displays originality in design; proficiency in expressing characterization, mood, age, nationality; proficiency with medium (highlight and shadow, beards, noses, scars, etc.); ability to work with non-human design that is clear and theatrical in scale; demonstrates ability to recreate historical likenesses.

Semifinalist Level
Candidates bring their portfolio to the live interview at which they will be given a short play to analyze and interpret through set design and other aspects of technical theater. The second level judges apply the same criteria to the portfolio in the case of the live interview. They consider the level of organization the candidate brings to a project. The judges talk with the candidates to better understand their level of experience and original ideas. The judges use the on-site exercise to evaluate creativity, conceptuality, and ability to respond to new stimuli.