Admissions

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTOR
David Hammond

BAND WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
6:00 pm
preaudition meeting link

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be seen here.

AUDITION DATES
Auditions to the Bands Department are all pre-recorded and submitted via the Bands Department 2021 Audition Submission link

Audition dates: January 8-February 7

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Audition information here

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Moss Kaplan and Miranda Popp

CREATIVE WRITING WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – Virtual for 2021
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Saturday, January 9, 2021 – 9:00 am

Callbacks
Feb 2, 2021
4 pm – 6 pm
10th – 12th grades

Feb 3, 2021
4 pm – 6 pm
7th – 8th grades

Feb 4, 2021
4 pm – 6:30 pm
9th grade

Feb 6, 2021
9 am – 4 pm
6th grade

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
CW Audition Info for the 2021-2022 school year

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Terrell Davis and Rachel Oliver-Young

DANCE WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Recorded auditions due by January 18, 2021 at 11:59 pm

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Dance Audition Info for Jan/Feb 2021

Letter of Recommendation due by Monday, January 18 at 11:59 pm

Health Survey due by Monday, January 18 at 11:50 pm

CALL BACKS

Middle School Call-Backs
High School Call-Backs

Thank you so much for your interest in our dance program, and for taking the time to audition.  If you have not been called back, please remember that this does not mean that your dance journey should stop.  There are many dancers in the world that did not attend a school like DSA, and pursued dance in evenings at a dance studio.

If you see your number and initials on our call-back list, please do the following on Saturday, January 30th:

-Sign into the Zoom waiting room 15 minutes prior to your audition time.  We might be running early, and invite you in earlier than your appt time.

-Get familiar with Zoom prior to the audition, be prepared and ready to share your screen to show a solo of a video, share your music, unmute to speak, etc.  We cannot emphasize practicing these skills enough.  Please be prepared.

-Be prepared to show your solo, as well as speak to us and answer our questions.

Looking forward to getting to know you more!

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTOR
Richard Serianni

GUITAR WEBSITE
Click here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 1, 2019 – January 2, 2020 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Tuesday, February 2 – 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
or
Wednesday, February 3 – ​3:30 pm – 8:30 pm

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Upload all information below by Friday, January 29, 2021 by 11:59 pm

Students will submit their audition video to the​ ​DSA Guitar Auditions 2021 Form​:
1. Students will provide video of two pieces of music in the style of their choice (what do you play well?).
2. Students will provide video of all chords and related scales of their choice (show me what you know).
3. Students will complete the ​DSA Guitar Auditions 2021 Form​
4. Students will sight read music with their guitar ​during the audition​ (I will provide an online link).
5. Students should submit at least one ​recommendation form ​from their current music teacher(s).

Here are the two required forms:
DSA Guitar Recommendation Form ​
DSA Guitar Auditions 2021 Form​ ​

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTOR
Dr. Enrique Lasansky

ORCHESTRA WEBSITE
Click here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Online video submission are due February 6, 2021

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Audition Information for spring 2021
Link for submitting audio/youtube recordings
Demonstration video by current DSA students on how to play scales

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTOR
Mitchell Alpaugh

PIANO WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
6:00 pm
link to be place here on meeting day

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.   A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Submit audition materials by January 21, 2021 to this link.

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Auditions will NOT be live and instead be pre-recorded video(s) to be uploaded on the provided Google form.

• Please make sure the performer is visible in the frame. Recorded videos where the performer is not visible (such as just hands/arms) will not be accepted.
• Music stands should also be visible to verify that the piece is being performed from memory.
• You may upload multiple video files or one, unified audition video.
• Most modern cell phones can capture footage acceptable for this audition. However, please check the quality of your recording before uploading. Recordings that are too quiet or too loud (clipping) should not be submitted.
• Please upload all audition materials to the Google form byJanuary 21st 11:59pm.Materials will not be accepted after this time.

The audition requirements are as follows:

1. The student will perform FROM MEMORY two contrasting selections. These can include music from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and 20th Century time periods. Jazz, Gospel, and Popular Music is also acceptable.
2. The student will perform a set of major and minor scales, hands together, at a rate of speed appropriate for the student’s age. The student must perform the major and the three forms (natural, harmonic, and melodic) of the minor scales in any key of his/her choice. 6th Graders perform scales hands together in two octaves, and 7th-12th Graders perform scales hands together in four octaves.
3. Students should prepare for a brief interview with Mr. Alpaugh to discuss accomplishments, goals, and their interest in the DSA Piano Studies program. This interview will be held over a Google Meet video call on January 21st between 4pm-6pm. If you are not available during that time, please let me know so that we can schedule an interview before the 21st.
4. No portfolio or letters of recommendation are required. However, if you would like to upload letters of recommendation, you may do so on the Google form.

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Cory Gilstrap, Jonathan Howard, Lara Kirksey and Keith Rice

STAGECRAFT AND DESIGN WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – Virtual for 2021
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
6:00 pm
Pre Audition Meeting Link

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be seen here.

AUDITION DATES
Your specific audition date and time will be given to you at the preaudition meeting. Audition dates are:

February 5, 2021 OR February 6, 2021
Times TBA

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Stagecraft and Design Audition Information 2021

The audition for 2021 will be done with Google Meet video conferencing.  Students will meet individually with the Audition panel and share about their design work, script analysis and interest in being a part of the Stagecraft & Design Major.  After the Preaudition Meeting, January 6, 6:00-7:00pm, students will be assigned an individual time for their interview and will receive a link to the interview.

What to prepare for:

Students will read a short script, create a design board based on the script and answer questions during their individual interview. The script for the short play BITE ME, posted below, must be read before the audition date. There is also a script analysis worksheet posted below that should be completed in order to be prepared for the design board and interview. Students should be prepared to discuss how they would take on design roles for costumes, lights, props, set, or sound. 

Design Board Instructions:  

A design board is a visual representation of the script as seen by you as designer: Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer, and Sound Designer.  Each design board should consist of a least 15 pictures total that you feel support your design ideas of BITE ME. The design board should cover as many design areas of the show as possible (costume, lights, props, set and sound).

Script for Audition Production Meeting – BITE ME

Script Analysis Worksheet – BITE ME

Students will meet individually with the audition panel and we will discuss your portfolio, the design board / design ideas for BITE ME and discuss why you want to join the program. You should be ready to talk to us about your artistic experiences and explain why you think the Stagecraft and Design department would be a good fit for you.

The following elements below need to be brought to the audition:

Portfolio

You will submit an electronic design portfolio. This can be a Google Slideshow or an online website portfolio such as Wix, WordPress and Weebly.  A link to your portfolio must be submitted at least five days before the audition date.  Include pictures of what you consider your best work as it pertains to design, art and craft skills. Also, your portfolio needs to include your essay, personal photograph and resume (detailed below). Please present all of this in some type of electronic portfolio in a neat and organized manner; this is your opportunity to share your talents with us.

Essay

Create a one-page creative response relating to the prompt: “I want to attend the Denver School of the Arts because….”. It could be an essay or a combination of text and drawing. Be as creative as you want and make sure to include why you have selected Stagecraft and Design as your major. We prefer that it be written/created with minimal guidance from your parents. You may also include what you think the Stagecraft and Design Department at DSA has to offer you and what you have a passion to learn.

Photograph

We need a picture of you. Have someone take a picture of you or use a copy of a school photo. Make sure that the photo is current. Attach the photograph at the front of your portfolio.

Resume

Your resume should be as professionally put together as possible. Please type it, and avoid spelling errors. There are many formats and styles of resumes. Try to keep the information to one page only. (Things to include on your resume are listed below.) Resume Information:

1. Personal Data • Full name, email, age
2. Educational Objective • Future professional goals and ambitions
3. Education (or Training) Academic and Artistic • Includes schools you have attended and dates, even teachers’ names • These should be listed chronologically with the most recent first. • Artistic education includes any drama, art, craft, music, etc. It also includes visiting artists you have seen and/or master classes or workshops. For arts education, include specific information like the names and locations of the schools and/or the teachers.
4. Production Experience • These should be listed chronologically with the most recent first. • List show title, role, where/when, and director
5. Community Service • Any volunteer work you have done.
6. Awards and Honors • Arts, academic, sports, civic, church, other…
7. Special Talents • Any skill you have you would like to share.
8. References • List two to three adults not related to you that we could contact to ask about you.

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Shawn Hann and Andre Rodriguez

THEATRE WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meetingPhone Numbers(‪US‬)‪+1 314-474-3040‬PIN: ‪859 704 001#‬

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Round One is ONLINE- the deadline for uploading PreScreen Round 1 Videos/all paperwork/letters of Rec is Jan. 22 at midnight.We will invite selected students to continue on to Round Two of auditions (callbacks) by appointment between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday Feb 6 and overflows on Tues Feb 2 from 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Students will be contacted by email by Feb 1 for callback times/directions to online Google Meet room.sd

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Students will upload a:
1)  resume
2)  headshot
3)  essay
4)  monologue videos

All details to be fully explained at the January Pre-Audition Meeting.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or another adult (not related to you) who knows about your creativity, responsibility, talent, and what you are like as a student.Link to Recommendation form: https://forms.gle/pJtwFXpcpnY6epqs6
All recommendations due Jan. 22 by midnight

MONOLOGUES
Choose TWO contrasting, one-minute monologues from published plays.  This enables the judges to see a range in your acting skills.  One monologue should be a contemporary selection and one a classical selection.  Classical plays are defined as plays written before 1910.  A classical piece is not mandatory for middle school students.

Here are some tips to help you choose monologues that are best for you:

• Look for pieces that speak to you personally; that excite and interest you.
• Read the entire play that the monologue comes from. Understanding the play enables you to more fully embody the character you’re portraying and helps put the monologue into a larger context.

OPTIONAL: If you also sing, you may prepare 16 bars of a song and sing it immediately following the performance of your monologues. Sing it a cappella (no music) and choose a Broadway show tune.Please do not use the following plays for your selections: Alice in Wonderland, Promedy, Fantasticks, 15 Reasons to Not Be in a Play, Huck Finn /Tom Sawyer (any version), Fifth of July, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Our Town, Dear Evan Hansen (for monologues) and anything with “Audition” in the title.

Published Play Resources

• Playscripts, Inc.
• Dramatists Play Service
• Samuel French
• Dramatic Publishing
• Plays for Young Audiences
• Broadway Play Publishing
• Educational Theatre Association

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Amy McGrath, David Higgins and Tory Maurer

VIDEO CINEMA ARTS WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 478-352-1609 and enter this PIN: 636 718 374#
To view more phone numbers, click this link: https://tel.meet/xtk-wouu-qok?hs=5

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
PART 1
January 21, 2021
4 pmWritten Exercise in Large Grouphttps://meet.google.com/bbs-weoe-wnc
To call in dial 1-631-765-7071
PIN # 959 370 948#

PART 2
One-on-One Interview dates (You will be assigned one date)
January 26, January 27, January 28, February 2, February 3, February 4

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
VCA applicants can start now on the VIDEO/STORY PROJECT. We will watch the applicant’s video during the audition.

If you would like to see sample audition videos made by two students who were accepted into DSA check out:

Middle School: https://youtu.be/DiXYrpoL3P8
High School: https://youtu.be/sBwNFykqRBE

Applicants will create a two-minute or under story project, which can be documentary or fiction form. The project can be live action video, animation, stop motion or a visual slideshow presentation. It must tell some kind of a story. Our preference is to view your project on Youtube or Vimeo. Your student should avoid using copyrighted music as their video may be blocked by Youtube or Vimeo. You can find royalty free music that can be used in videos at www.zapsplat.com or www.bensound.com or https://incompetech.com/.

1. If you do not have access to video equipment, you may prepare a PowerPoint/Google Slide presentation. Your image/photo presentation must tell some kind of story (including a text component), as well as show evidence of your composition skills.
2. It is the expectation of the DSA Video Cinema Arts department that all video/photo projects presented for auditions represent primarily the work of the applicant. We are interested in seeing the writing, shooting, and editing capabilities of each applicant.
3. As a companion to the video or photo piece, all applicants must write a “treatment”- a written explanation of the story of their story project. Additionally, applicants may want to create storyboards, shot lists, or any other planning documents. The treatment and any other planning documents will be presented at the audition.

SUBMIT VIDEO/STORY PROJECT and PLANNING DOCUMENTS USING THIS FORM:https://forms.gle/4HYk5DA3bVp8kHcN6

Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required for each applicant. Please send link below to the person writing the letter for submission:

https://forms.gle/AMcHKsdLXNBc14pr6

VIRTUAL WRITTEN EXERCISE REQUIREMENT (THURSDAY 1/21/2021 AT 4PM)
Applicants will be asked to develop a story idea for a film based on a visual prompt. Students will also watch a brief film clip and answer some questions about what they saw. The writing component will take between 30-45 minutes. Applicants will join the below Google Meet and will be provided further instructions by teacher.

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Jim Cliff and Marty Loftus

VISUAL ARTS WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
6:00 pm
link for preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
Your specific audition time will be given to you at the preaudition meeting. Audition dates are:

TBA

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Link for Audition Form
https://forms.gle/SFrvq1N7rPNKj7ze6

20/21 Audition Information Flyer

20/21 Letter of Recommendation Form

Note: All applicants must thoroughly read and follow the 4 step application/audition process above

DIRECTORS
Dr. Ryan Garrison and Meaghan Quigley

VOCAL MUSIC WEBSITE
Click Here

ONLINE APPLICATION
November 2, 2020 – January 1, 2021 at 9:00 am

PREAUDITION MEETING – virtual for 2021
Monday, January 4, 2021
6:00 pm
link to preaudition meeting

PREVIEW DATES
Because of Covid19, DSA will not have any in-person tours or Preview Mornings for the 20/21 school year.  A full Preview Morning video can be found here.

AUDITION DATES
First Round PrescreenBy January 21, 2021 at 11:59 pm
For the first round of auditions, students will submit items listed below under “Audition Requirements”.  This will all be done virtually.  This is simply a submission – no live component.

Callbacks
Tuesday, February 2 – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
or
Saturday, February 6 – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Students who are called back from the 1st round prescreen auditions will be given a time for a Zoom audition on one of the dates above.

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your student needs accommodations for the audition, as written in a 504 or IEP, please provide a copy of the 504 or IEP to Assistant Principal aspen_burkett@dpsk12.org ONE WEEK before your student’s audition date.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Audition Information

Audition Packet

Submitted/Uploaded with First Round Prescreen
1. Two recommendations for each student on provided form:
  Recommendation Form
1 from a music teacher
1 from a person of choice
2. Current headshot or normal individual photo
3. Written Vocal Repertoire List (If applicable: Incoming grades 10-12 only); include songs formally studied in voice lessons (list song title, composer, and year studied).
4. Grades 6-12 – solo of choice video performance

– Must have accompaniment (no a cappella)
– Ideal optional solo repertoire provided below for use
– w/ practice vocal tracks
– w/ practice piano accompaniment
– w/ language assistance (where applicable)
– Introduce your first & last name clearly
– Introduce your song title.
– Sing approximately 1 minute of your song; pick the best portion of your song that shows range, vocal flexibility, and expressive qualities.

Callback Audition Elements
Skills:   My Country Tis of Thee (will provide music)
Skills: Scales and Triads (progressive in difficulty)
6-8:      Major Scale, Major Triad, Minor Triad
9-12:    Major, Natural, Harmonic, Melodic Minor Scales, Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented Triads
ALL:     Aural Recall from a Vocal Score