For seniors Brensan Blair and Benny Spangler, a recent trip to Chicago marked a major step toward turning their passion for theater into a future career. During their 5-day trip, they attended an event known as Unified Auditions, which brings together college theater programs from across the country and allows theater students to audition for multiple schools in one location.
“You send in video submissions first, and if they like what they see, they call you back to audition in person,” Blair said.
Students can attend Unified Auditions events in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, but both Blair and Spangler chose Chicago for specific reasons.
“The colleges start in New York, then go to Chicago, then Los Angeles,” Blair said. “So you kind of want to be seen earlier and make that first impression.”
Leading up to the trip, both students spent months preparing material to present in front of college faculty.
“I’ve been preparing for about a year,” Blair said. “I had acting, singing and dancing coaches, and I was practicing pretty much every day.”
The preparation process included building a “book” of songs and monologues that could showcase a wide range of skills. The book includes about 10 songs and 3 monologues, depending on the audition. Each selection is different to show the judges how versatile the actors are.
“You want everything to be different — fast songs, slow songs, comedic, dramatic — so you can show your range,” Spangler said.
Once in Chicago, the auditions took place inside a large hotel, where audition panels from different colleges occupied separate rooms.
“You’d be running back and forth between rooms, sometimes even different buildings,” Blair said. “It can get pretty hectic.”
Despite the fast pace and high stakes, both students found that the experience was not just stressful but also rewarding.
“I thought it was going to be the most stressful week of my life,” Spangler said. “But I ended up making so many friends.”
The social environment allowed students to connect with others who share the same goals and passions.
“It was a hub of lifelong connections and memories,” Blair said.
However, performing in front of unfamiliar college faculty added a new level of pressure compared to high school auditions.
“You don’t know these professors, so you have to present yourself really well,” Blair said.
In addition to talent, students had to demonstrate professionalism and personality during each audition.
“You’re not just showing your talent — you’re showing who you are as a person,” Blair said.
Even with experience, both students said nerves are still a natural part of performing.
“If you’re nervous, it means you care,” Blair said.
Over time, those nerves become easier to manage with more experience on stage.
“The nerves never really go away, but you get more comfortable over time,” Spangler said.
After several days of auditions, both students reflected on how they felt once the experience came to an end.
“I felt proud of myself,” Blair said. “But at the same time, you just have to let it go.”
Since results are determined by college faculty, students must learn to move forward without overthinking their performances.
“What happens next isn’t up to you anymore,” Blair said.
Judging performance based on reactions in the room can also be misleading.
“You can’t base your performance on their reaction,” Spangler said. “Some will be really into it, and others won’t show anything at all.”
Beyond the auditions, both students shared long-term goals of pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
“When I know I’ve made it is when I’ve truly impacted someone,” Blair said. “If I can change how someone sees the world through a performance, that’s when I’ll know I’ve made it.”
Although college decisions are still ahead, both students agreed that the experience itself was meaningful.
“It was a really fun week,” Spangler said. “A lot of work, but also a lot of memories.”
