In our September ArtsBlog post, 10 College Interview Questions to Expect, we told you what kind of questions you might be asked. To show you the other side this month, we’ll help you come up with interesting questions to ask in a college interview. Your meeting is likely to end with the interviewer asking if you have any further questions. Use this an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm about the school and let your personality shine through. It’s another chance to leave a lasting impression while learning more about the course work and campus life.
Embarking on a career in the performing arts is no small feat. It demands passion, dedication, thick skin, and nerves of steel. Whether you’re a seasoned actor, a gifted dancer, or a virtuoso musician, every audition and interview feels like opening night jitters.
But walk into that audition room with confidence. We’ve compiled some of the most common performing arts interview questions, along with tips on how to craft winning responses. Read on to learn how to showcase your talents and land your next big gig.
Why Performing Arts?
These questions aim to understand your origins story and what drives your passion for the arts Be prepared to get personal and articulate how performing has shaped you
How did you get into the performing arts?
This open-ended question allows you to share your personal journey. Discuss when your interest began, key mentors or experiences that sparked your passion, and when you decided to fully commit to a performing arts career. Convey what drew you in and keeps you motivated.
What inspired you to get into performing?
Build on the previous response, but focus on the pivotal inspirations that ignited your passion. Maybe it was seeing your first Broadway musical or watching an iconic dance performance on TV. Share your “aha” moments and how they influenced your path.
How long have you wanted to perform and when did you start?
Factual responses are key here. Mention how long you’ve been honing your craft and provide timeframes for your start in formal training or education. This quantifies your commitment and experience level.
What have you gained from performing?
Get introspective, citing personal growth, skill development, fulfillment, and other intangible benefits you’ve gained. Share how performing has shaped you as a person.
Is there anything that you think is hard about performing?
Answer honestly, being careful not to focus solely on challenges. Pivot to discussing how you’ve overcome obstacles and become more resilient in the face of rejection, criticism, and other demands of the industry.
What would you be doing if you weren’t performing?
Your passion should shine through, with performing portrayed as more of a calling than just another career option. If you mention alternatives, choose careers that align with your interests and values.
Skill Drills: Showcasing Your Abilities
These questions test both your hard and soft skills. Be ready to provide real examples that highlight your talents.
How do you handle criticism and feedback on your performances?
Emphasize openness to feedback and concrete ways you integrate it to improve, like recording rehearsals to self-critique or collaborating with a director to align visions. Convey resilience and commitment to growth.
Tell me about a time you dealt with conflict amongst your team. How did you handle it?
Recount a specific example of navigating team conflict. Discuss how you employed empathy, communication, mediation skills, and compromise to resolve issues. Demonstrate leadership and diplomacy.
What acting techniques or training methods have you found most effective? Why?
Pick 1-2 techniques you’ve studied in depth, like Method, Meisner, or Stanislavski’s system. Analyze why these resonate and how you’ve integrated them into your approach. Show thoughtfulness about your creative process.
How do you get into character?
Outline your character development process from start to finish. Discuss research, script analysis, physical and vocal experimentation, and exercises like journaling in character. Show your dedication to embodying a role fully.
How do you prepare for an audition?
Detail your pre-audition routine: researching the material, warming up your voice and body, running lines. Emphasize preparation tailored to each role and your rituals for getting into the right headspace.
Tell me about your greatest strength as a performer.
Pick one stand-out skill, like stage presence, versatility, or dance technique. Provide examples of masterclasses, roles, or projects where you leveraged this strength. Stay humble but convinced of your abilities.
What’s your biggest area for improvement as a performer? How are you working to get better?
Be honest but strategic: choose an area all performers struggle with, like singing, memorization, or improv skills. Share specific training and practices you implement to sharpen these skills. Demonstrate self-awareness and commitment to growth.
How do you stay motivated through challenges and setbacks in your career?
Cite examples of adversity you’ve faced, like losing out on a role or a bad review. Discuss how you maintain belief in yourself, draw wisdom from failures, and forge ahead with determination. Convey resilience.
Tell me about a time you had to learn complex choreography or music on a short timeline. How did you master it?
Pick an example that showcases your work ethic and learning agility. Discuss your systematic approach to breaking material down and practicing diligently. Emphasize adaptability in the face of time pressure.
Career Spotlight: Discussion Questions
Use these industry-focused questions to showcase your professionalism and perspective.
Where do you see yourself in your performing career in 5 years?
Align your goals with the role/company you’re interviewing for. Discuss plans to develop specific skills, take on new challenges, or transition into leadership positions. Show intentionality.
How do you feel about the audition process? What are the biggest challenges?
Acknowledge the inherent challenges of the audition circuit, but focus on the positives, like opportunities for growth and connecting with new people. Frame auditions as stepping stones, not obstacles.
How important do you think networking and connections are in the performing arts? Why?
Affirm the value of professional relationships while emphasizing hard work and talent as key. Share your networking strategies and how connections have advanced your career positively.
What are some of your favorite venues or companies to work for? Why?
Research the company you’re interviewing with and tailor your response accordingly. Praise aspects that align with their mission and culture. Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm.
What do you think is the future of live performance, given competition from streaming entertainment?
Express conviction in the irreplaceable experience of live performances. Discuss innovations in audience engagement and community outreach that will keep live performance integral to our culture. Show optimism.
What challenges do performing artists face regarding work-life balance? How do you manage this?
Validate the demanding schedule while outlining your strategies for preventing burnout and nurturing your mental health, like setting boundaries, decompressing rituals, or wellness practices. Emphasize sustainability.
What are your ultimate career aspirations in the performing arts?
Align your response with the role/company, but show ambition and vision. Share how you’d like to grow as an artist and make an impact through your work. Demonstrate passion.
Where do you find inspiration as a performer? How do you stay creative?
Discuss seeing live shows, engaging with other art forms, collaborating with new people, and unplugging from work. Share what energizes you creatively.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring performer?
Share a concise takeaway that reflects your values and perspective, like maintaining resilience, being true to your vision, or keeping your skillset diverse. Demonstrate wisdom.
Curtain Call: How to Wrap Up Your Interview
You’ve made it through the toughest questions with show-stopping responses. But before you exit the stage, close out strong by:
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Asking insightful questions about the company’s artistic mission, upcoming projects, or professional development opportunities. This shows your engagement.
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Expressing enthusiasm for the role and genuine interest in the company. Share how the position aligns with your goals and passions.
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Offering thanks and appreciation for their time and consideration. Let them know it was a pleasure to meet and share your work.
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Following up promptly with a thank you note reiterating your qualifications and fit for the role.
Stay confident, passionate, and personable, and your next show-stopping performance could be at your dream company. With preparation and practice, you can master even the toughest interview questions. Break a leg!
How many students are accepted into my program of interest?
How competitive the school or arts program may be will depend on the answer to this question. Also, be sure to find out what the average class size is in your area of study. You’ll want an environment that you are comfortable with and will help you progress.
I looked at course descriptions, and I’m wondering what are the most popular classes?
This question shows the interviewer that you really looked into the school and already feel like you belong there. Finding out which classes or teachers are at the top of the list is always helpful, so you’ll remember to plan your time around them.
Extra Performing Arts interview questions
FAQ
What are the 3 main types of performing arts?
What are 10 examples of performing arts?
What questions do artists ask during an interview?
If you interview for a job as an artist, there are many possible questions your potential employer can ask about your background, creative process, and style. Learning about artist interview questions can prepare you for interviews and help you develop your own unique answers.
How do I prepare answers for artist interview questions?
Preparing answers for artist interview questions involves anticipating and practicing thoughtful responses to various topics that dive into your background, artistic practice, influences, career development, and more.
How do you answer an interview question about art?
When answering the question, consider sharing one or two other interests that influence your art and explain the connections to the interviewer. For example: As the child of a chef, I’ve always been interested in how food can influence my art. My most recent projects use pigments from produce, herbs, and edible flowers as watercolor paint.
What questions should you ask a potential employer about art?
It is important for potential employers to learn more about candidates’ backgrounds, what motivates them, their approach to making art, and their ability to follow directions and create appropriate designs. These questions can vary depending on the position you apply for, the type of art you make, and the individual requirements of the employer.
