Audition Information
Applications for the 2025-26 school year are now available!
(As of 11/15/24) Our next audition dates will be in January 2025 for students applying to the 2025-26 school year. For students to be guaranteed a spot in the January 2025 auditions, applications must be received by December 17, 2024 (*just extended!).
Applying students will be contacted via email shortly after the due date above. Transportation for auditioning students will be provided from YCSD home schools to the School of the Arts for the January auditions only. All other applications will be processed as they are received and individually scheduled to audition. Late applicants will be contacted when the application has been received.
Current 8th grade students will audition on Wednesday, January 15 or Thursday, January 16, 2025 during the school day.
Current 9th-11th grade students will audition on Monday, January 13, 2025 during the school day. Other applications will be processed as they are received and scheduled to audition at a later date.
Students who are new to York County can apply at the time of their YCSD application or enrollment. Auditions will be scheduled as needed.
Applications for all grade levels are accepted throughout the year. Interviews and auditions take place during the winter, spring, and summer. Applicants will be contacted when the application has been received.
Students seeking admission to the School of the Arts must complete this application and notify their school counselor that they are submitting an application for SOA.
- Apply online using this link: SOA Application or download a hard copy here.
- Send this *Teacher Recommendation Form to three of your current teachers (Or download a hard copy here. The teachers will mail or email the form directly to SOA after completion.)
- At least one recommendation must be from a current core teacher – students who apply to Literary Arts should have at least one English teacher recommendation.
- Recommendations from private instructors are accepted.
- Current mSAM students may not submit a recommendation from an mSAM teacher.
- Contact lmaney@ycsd.york.va.us with questions.
- Check your email for further instructions. Current 8th grade students who apply by January 19, 2024 will receive emailed instructions shortly after that date. All others will receive emailed instructions shortly after their application is submitted.
Preparing Your Audition
For SOA auditions, all students will take a reading comprehension test and interview with an instructor for your specific discipline(s). In addition to these, each discipline also has the following individual requirements:
Technical Theatre
Students should submit samples of visual art or photographs of costumes, props, and/or scenery you have created, although this is not a required component for acceptance. See examples.
Dance Arts
Students will be taught and asked to perform a portion of a ballet and modern class, a contemporary combination, and a short group improvisation. The improvisation portion should be a time where the student gets to show off his or her personal talents or strong suits within any genre of dance. Ballet shoes or bare feet are preferred; any other dance shoes could be brought and worn if needed for a specific skill set the student wants to perform during the improvisation. Please wear as professional a dance attire as you are able (ex. leotard); fitted athletic clothes are preferred otherwise.
Literary Arts, Writer Workshop, and Script Writing for Stage and Screen
Students will submit a typed 300 to 500-word autobiography.
Theatre Arts and Improvisation Comedy/Sketch Comedy
Students will prepare and perform a memorized monologue from the selections provided and perform a short improvisation.
Music Performance Lab
Students will play two prepared excerpts, scales, and sight-reading.
The SOA Program, in Brief
For complete course offerings and full course descriptions, please refer to the Program of Studies, Secondary Registration and Information Guide.
