Overview
Join us for a three week deep-dive to prepare for the competitive application and audition process for Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) programs in Acting or Musical Theatre majors. Students will prepare and polish the required materials and build a mindset to succeed with our small group coaching. This acting class is a wonderful audition and interview focused supplement to technique classes and school or private study, designed for the serious future professional performer who is preparing to compete for college admissions.
Class will include reviewing and assessing chosen materials, assembling interview packages, comparing curricula, tracking requirements and ideal candidate profiles, and mindset work for success in the process. Students will also receive audition technique work and coaching on their audition materials.
This class is focused on the requirements for pre-screens for BFA theater programs, but would also be beneficial for students preparing to apply to Bachelors of Arts (BA) programs in acting or musical theatre.
Enrolled students should bring to the first class:
- List of universities or colleges of interest and those schools’ application requirements or prescreen packages
- Laptop or Google-capable device
- Notebook
- Writing utensil
AND:
For Students Pursuing Acting BFA
- One contemporary monologue (1-2 minutes in length) for a character within their age range
- One classical monologue (1-2 minutes in length) for a character within their age range
For Students Pursuing Musical Theatre BFA
- The two monologues listed above AND
- One song within their vocal range (32 bars) from a contemporary musical
- One song within their vocal range (32 bars) from a golden age musical
This class is for the intermediate-advanced performer who is dedicated to in-depth, rigorous study. Previous theatre experience is necessary to reap the most benefits from this course.
Program Details
Ages: 16–19
Dates: October 2, October 9, and October 16, 2025 (three weeks)
Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, Virginia
Program Faculty
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte
Senior Teaching Artist
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Jessie Holder Tourtellotte is a working actor, writer, and producer and a prolific coach and teaching artist. Locally, she works extensively with AFYP/George Mason Community Arts, is a sought after clinician with multiple FCPS theatre and music programs, and many local theatre companies. Jessie holds a BFA from the University of the Arts’ Ira Brind School of Theatre Arts and has also trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse, Actor’s Movement Studio, and more. She is currently the intimacy choreographer and movement specialist in residence at NOVA Nightsky Theatre.
As a college and graduate study audition coach, she boasts a high matriculation rate annually including acceptances to every major conservatory program as well as to strong professional training programs across the country, in addition to sending students every year to pre college programs and summer intensives at competitive schools.
She is a winner of the Los Angeles International Screenwriting Competition and a past semifinalist for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship, a graduate of the New York Women in Film and Television From Script to Pre Production Lab. She served as the acting coach on the last two consecutive Cappies NCA Best Play Winning productions, has served on the acting faculty at the Identity School of Acting both in Los Angeles and Internationally, and is a faculty member with The Artist’s Initiative.
Her adaptation of Euripides’ The Trojan Women has won awards from its world premiere and is now under contract for licensing by multiple producing organizations for the coming year.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes two business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact [email protected] for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].