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The Art of Auditioning: Acting Techniques for Stage and Screen
Learn on your own time and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Program Overview
This course equips aspiring actors with essential audition techniques for theater, film and television.
From monologues to self-tapes and commercial auditions, you’ll learn from industry experts, analyze scripts and practice strategies to hone your craft.
In the process of earning a certificate, students will build a strong foundation in audition preparation by exploring strategies for mastering in-person and on-camera auditions.
Through script analysis exercises, rehearsal demonstrations and expert feedback, participants will sharpen their performances, polish their self-tapes and create a professional toolkit that highlights their unique talents and sets them apart from the crowd.
Key Information
Featured Topics
- Monologue selection and scene study
- Techniques for in-person auditions for theater, film, and TV
- Best practices for self-tape setup and auditions
- Commercial audition strategies
- Navigating the industry and building your professional toolkit
Learning Outcomes
- Master monologue auditions by selecting and performing contrasting material
- Understand the key differences between stage and on-camera auditions
- Learn to self-tape effectively with proper framing, lighting, and performance techniques
- Develop skills for commercial auditions, including personality casting and non-verbal performance
- Gain insights into navigating the entertainment industry, from working with casting agents to preparing standout headshots and resumes
Format and Course Length
- This course consists of recorded lectures and demonstrations, clips and case studies from theater, film and television, along with industry insights. Each topic provides context for key elements of auditioning for a range of roles in different formats. Students will engage with creative exercises to hone their auditioning skills and build their professional portfolio in order to take the first steps in pursuing their acting goals.
- Combined coursework of recorded lectures, readings and assignments is approximately 20–25 hours, to be completed at the student’s own pace.
- Students are expected to complete the course in four weeks but have 90 days of access if more time is needed.
Featured Faculty
In this course, you’ll be taking classes from USC School of Dramatic Arts faculty member Paul Urcioli, who is an actor, director and producer.
Paul’s prolific acting career includes many guest appearances in beloved television shows like Law & Order, Blue Bloods, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Elementary. On film, you’ve seen him in The Amazing Spiderman 2, The Wolf of Wall Street, Stranger in the House and much more. Paul’s theater credits span London, New York and Los Angeles, including Point Last Seen (Atlantic Theater Company 2nd Stage), The Invitation (Ohio Theater), Americana Absurdum (Edinburgh Fringe First Winner 2000) and more. His commercial work includes over 75 national spots. In addition to acting, Paul directed the short films Where You Go, which premiered at Cannes, and Runners, which premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival and has been an official selection at three more. He has also directed numerous theatrical productions. Paul teaches Intro to Acting, Improvisation, 20th Century Realism (Drama and Comedy), Magic Realism and On-Camera Technique at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. He taught for 25 years at the NYU BFA program, as well as the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, PACE University and The Matt Newton Acting Studio. He was an Artist in Residence at Oberlin College teaching acting, movement, improvisation and performing with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
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Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within three to five business days.
- Include basic contact information from you and your parent(s) or guardian.
- Tell us why you want to take the course and a little about yourself through a short-answer essay.
- Share a piece of writing, video or social media content that reveals something about yourself (optional).
- Submit the $35 application fee.
- Students must be at least 14 years old or older and enrolled in a high school or secondary program.
Recent high school graduates, students taking a gap year or time off from college, and students who are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu. Please include a short paragraph (no more than 200 words) stating your interest and how this program will add value to your academic or career plans.
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In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English. International students who successfully complete an online course will receive a digital Certificate of Completion and, by request, a USC Pre-College Programs transcript at no additional cost.
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Program Start Date Application and Tuition Deadline Monday, November 10, 2025 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Monday, November 24, 2025 Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Monday, December 8, 2025 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Monday, December 22, 2025 Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Monday, January 5, 2026 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Monday, January 19, 2026 Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Monday, February 2, 2026 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Monday, February 16, 2026 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Monday, March 2, 2026 Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Monday, March 16, 2026 Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Monday, March 30, 2026 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Monday, April 13, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Monday, April 27, 2026 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Monday, May 11, 2026 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Monday, May 25, 2026 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Monday, June 8, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Monday, June 22, 2026 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Monday, July 6, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Monday, July 20, 2026 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 -
Application fee: $35
Tuition: $1,990
Tuition and fees cover access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months after your chosen start date.
Please note that application fees are nonrefundable. All course cancellations requests must be made in writing to precollegeonline@usc.edu. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees, if requested no more than three days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
The university will not refund tuition for USC Pre-College online exploration courses for students who are removed from the program due to a violation of our Letter of Understanding for Online Participation and our Student Code of Conduct.
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