Welcome to KCACTF Region 5 Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions for Festival 53!
The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education. The Irene Ryan Foundation awards eight regional scholarships and one national scholarship annually. Eight of the awards consist of a $500 scholarship for each regional representative. Students and coaches are encouraged to consult their regional chair or regional Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions Coordinator for information on other regional awards. The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships are, indeed, scholarships; so the Foundation disburses the award through a school designated by the winner, to pay tuition and fees for further education, not necessarily limited to theatre arts.
Am I Eligible to Enter?
If you meet either of the following criteria, you are eligible to enter the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions.
- Any student nominated from a Spring 2020 production (either realized or canceled)
- Any student cast in a registered production* from Fall 2020 (limited to the first 350 participants)
Festival 53 Guidelines
- The prelim and semi rounds of Ryans will be asynchronous with a live feedback session. The total package this year to be presented at finals is two contrasting monologues, with the total package lasting no longer than 4 minutes. There will be no singing with Ryans this year, however students may submit singing performances for the Musical Theatre Intensive.
- Students will have the ability to use two chairs and a table and small props as necessary, however the addition of items will not benefit the actor with the selectors.
- All videos must include the student slating their piece with their name and piece(s) and then go directly into the piece. No introductory slides or added text.
- Students must also make sure that their school’s name is not in the video. If a student is taping at school please make sure the name or school mascot is not visible in the shot.
- All students must obtain rights for the pieces being performed and follow the rights guidelines.
Preliminary Round
- All Ryan applications AND preliminary round submissions must be submitted by November 15, 2020 at midnight.
- Submit a video (see Guidelines for Video Submissions) of a monologue that is no longer than 1 minute. Your video must include a slate of your name and pieces, the slate will not be counted in the 1 minute time limit.
- All preliminary round participants will receive a live Zoom response on Saturday, December 5.
- Semi-Finalists will be announced on December 6, 2020.
Semi-Final Round
- All Semifinal round submissions are due January 4, 2021
- Submit a video (see Guidelines for Video Submissions) of your monologue that contrasts the prelim monologue. This selection can be no longer than 2 minutes total and should include a slate with your name and piece, the slate will not be counted toward your 2 minute time limit.
- Rules regarding royalties and permissions still apply, as in all previous years.
- All semi-final round participants will receive a live Zoom response Saturday, January 16, 2021.
- Finalists will be announced on January 10, 2021.
Final Round
- January 19, 2021 by midnight all final round submissions are due
- Submit one video (see Guidelines for Video Submissions) of your two contrasting monologues. The entire package can be no longer than 4 minutes total and should include a slate with your name and pieces, the slate will not be counted toward your 4 minute time limit.
- Rules regarding royalties and permissions still apply, as in all previous years.
- All final round participants will receive a response live via Zoom the day after the finals are streamed.
- Awards will be announced at the Festival Recognition Ceremony.
Guidelines for Video Submissions
- Record your video in landscape mode (not portrait).
- Position the camera at eye-level.
- Center yourself in the frame and make sure your body is visible from the top of your head to your waist.
- Make sure you are well-lit and your face is clearly visible.
- Make sure your audio is clear and audible.
- Include your slate/introduction at the start of your video, as you would for an in-person audition. This will not count toward the time limit of your piece, following the usual Irene Ryans rules.
- Do not edit the video to include anything additional, such as a title card.
- Please upload your video to a streaming service such as YouTube and make sure that the permissions are set to unlisted (others with the link can view the video), not private (only you can view the video).
Additional Information
Be sure to check the Tips and Suggestions for information about obtaining performance rights.
If you are a coach/faculty person seeking to nominate a Ryan Auditionee (Spring 2020 only)
Make sure you have all of your materials ready before entering the Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions. Check that you have performance rights for the material that you are using, and that you have uploaded your video to a streaming service such as YouTube before proceeding.
