- Click on Application Process beginning November 1
- To receive an audition for Colgan's Specialty program you must select Colgan as First Choice
- Online applications for Colgan High School must be submitted by December 14th before 11:59 pm
Important Note: On the application you must make Colgan Center for Fine and Performing Arts your #1 choice.
Due to the high number of applicants, we can only schedule auditions for students who make Colgan their primary choice. If you are interested in the IT program at Forest Park, you can choose that as your second choice. If you are not chosen for Colgan, your name will be still entered in the lottery for your second choice.
Applicants for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts will:
- Complete the online application and submit it ONLINE
- Students only use your PWCS email (@pwcs-edu.org) on the application
- Participate in an audition or portfolio overview
- Upload signed enrollment agreement to specialty programs county website
- Upload the completed qualifications form to specialty programs county website
- Dress appropriately for the virtual audition. Music Visual Art and Creative Writing students should dress professionally. Theatre and Dance students should dress comfortably for movement. (proper dance attire for dancers).
- Participate in the audition on the date and time given to you. You will receive this information in a letter in December via email after applications have been processed.
Audition Submissions due January 5th 2022 before 11:59 pm
See digital portfolio presentation guide
In-person Audition scheduled for Saturday January 8th 2022 at Colgan High School
Audition letters will be sent electronically before Winter Break by central office along with the enrollment and qualifications forms for auditions
Prince William County Public Schools Division does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs and activities against qualified individuals based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, veteran status or disability
Creative Writing Audition Requirements
The Creative Writing audition process will include a portfolio review, a written reflection, and an impromptu writing exercise.
The portfolio is due at the audition and should consist of pieces written or revised within the last year. Students should include written artifacts that are representative of their writing interests and abilities, and that showcase their best work. Quality will be valued over quantity; however, applicants should be sure to submit enough writing so that their writer's voice is clear.
The portfolio should consist of no more than ten pages of original work, including the written reflection.
Be advised, these pieces will not be returned.
The portfolio should include one example of at least four forms of writing, limited to the following genres
- Short Fiction
- Poetry
- Script (ex. a scene written for live performance, screen, or broadcast)
- Creative Nonfiction (personal essay, narrative, review, editorial, travel, blog. Note: academic essays, news writing, speeches do not count as Creative Nonfiction)
In addition to the examples, portfolios must include:
- One written reflection on a piece of the applicant's choice. This reflection should include:
- choices made
- The writing process explaining how the piece developed or evolved
- What we learned or gained from the particular writing experience
Guidelines for Portfolio Submission:
- 12 point, Times New Roman
- Black ink
- One-inch margin
- Numbered in the upper right corner of each page (do not number the cover sheet)
- Cover page that lists:
- Name (Note: The applicant's name should not appear on the original work)
- Email
- Telephone Number
- Current Grade
Students may choose to single-space all pieces included in the portfolio to adjust for the portfolio's limited page count (prose is typically double-spaced; script and poetry is typically single-spaced).
Portfolios will be uploaded to dropbox
All applicants will be asked to participate in a series of writing exercises which may include writing a short story, poem, or essay in response to a prompt, an artifact, a piece of music, a dance. Reading and analyzing a piece of creative work, and/or participating in a group discussion.
Computer, fully charged, and charger
FAQ's: Email Ms. Dyche at dychej@pwcs.edu if you have questions about the audition requirements
Creative Writing Audition Rubric
Performance Evaluation Criteria
Forms
Portfolio provides examples of each of the four forms (script, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
Example of one form of writing is provided
Examples of two forms of writing are provided
Examples of three forms of writing are provided
Examples of four forms of writing are provided
Style and Voice
Writing shows presence of style (use of diction, imagery, details, language and syntax), and tone
Writing demonstrates little sense of style and voice; no clear sense of tone
Writing demonstrates minimal personal style; is superficial; shows inconsistent use of stylistic choices (diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax); tone is present
Writing demonstrates distinct style and voice; clear sense of audience; but may be mechanical; has a sense of tone
Writing skillfully uses a variety of styles and voices; sophisticated sense of audience; demonstrates purposeful use of diction, imagery, details, language and syntax; clear tone
Originality/Inventiveness in Content
Writing shows creative exploration or interpretation of a concept, idea, or class assignment
Writing shows no inventiveness or risk-taking; all subject matter is cliché and bland; lacks original ideas; little insight
Work shows minimal inventiveness or risk-taking in subject matter; often subject matter is cliché and bland; displays insight.
Most works demonstrate inventiveness and risk –taking, but may be presented in a less novel or complex way. If cliché subject matter is used, it is presented in a novel/complex way; evidence of original thinking; displays insight.
Writing demonstrates inventiveness and risk-taking that goes beyond cliché subject matter (e.g. teenage sadness/depression; relationship drama; school cliques); writing presents subject matter in a novel and complex way; generates original/keen insights.
Composition Skills
Writing shows understanding and application of standard English composition requirements (grammar, mechanics, and readability. *Note, a score of 1 in this section will automatically fail a portfolio submission
Writing demonstrates weak composition skills; there are multiple severe grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors that greatly impair reading.
Writing demonstrates some compositional skills; There are some errors in grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors and not all pieces read fluently.
Writing demonstrates adequate composition skills; errors in grammar do not impair readability, but pieces may not read fluently and effortlessly.
Writing demonstrates very few grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors; pieces read fluently and effortlessly.
Evidence of Growth
Portfolio provides evidence of growth as a writer
Writing demonstrates little ability to self-reflect; think critically about their own writing; some description of their writing process but no clear processing of the experience.
Writing reflection demonstrates ability to self-reflect; attempts to critically evaluate writing but falls short in explaining what was learned in the process, or how the experience will affect future writing.
Written reflection shows evidence of self-reflection; ability to critically evaluate writing and revise; demonstrates potential for personal growth by explaining what the experience taught them.
Written reflection shows strong ability to think critically, revise, and self-correct writing; demonstrates evidence of growth by being able to explain how the experience will guide future writing.
Adherence to Form’s Format/Structure
Writing follows standard expectations in the forms of poetry, prose, or scriptwriting, such as correct formatting, characteristics, and structure
Writer demonstrates little knowledge of form’s format/structure.
Writer demonstrates knowledge of format/structure but does not/cannot apply it consistently.
Writer follows most form’s format/structure
Writer follows all form’s format/structure exactly
In-Person Evaluation Criteria
Writing Exercise - This observation is based on an impromptu writing exercise. Students will be timed and evaluated on: composition skills, originality, and writing style
Writing shows understanding and application of standard English composition requirements (grammar, mechanics, and readability. *Note, a score of 1 in this section will automatically fail an on-demand writing exercise
Writing demonstrates weak composition skills; there are multiple severe grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors that greatly impair reading.
Writing demonstrates some compositional skills; There are some errors in grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors and not all pieces read fluently.
Writing demonstrates adequate composition skills; errors in grammar do not impair readability, but pieces may not read fluently and effortlessly.
Writing demonstrates very few grammar, mechanical, and organizational errors; pieces read fluently and effortlessly.
Originality/Inventiveness in Content
Writing shows creative exploration or interpretation of a concept, idea, or class assignment
Writing shows no inventiveness or risk-taking; all subject matter is cliché and bland; lacks original ideas; little insight.
Work shows minimal inventiveness or risk-taking in subject matter; often subject matter is cliché and bland; displays insight.
Most works demonstrate inventiveness and risk –taking but may be presented in a less novel or complex way. If cliché subject matter is used, it is presented in a novel/complex way; evidence of original thinking; displays insight.
Writing demonstrates inventiveness and risk-taking that goes beyond cliché subject matter (e.g. teenage sadness/depression; relationship drama; school cliques); writing presents subject matter in a novel and complex way; generates original/keen insights.
Style and Voice
Writing shows presence of style (use of diction, imagery, details, language and syntax), and tone
Writing demonstrates little sense of style and voice; no clear sense of tone
Writing demonstrates minimal personal style; is superficial; shows inconsistent use of stylistic choices (diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax); tone is present
Writing demonstrates distinct style and voice; clear sense of audience; but may be mechanical; has a sense of tone
Writing skillfully uses a variety of styles and voices; sophisticated sense of audience; demonstrates purposeful use of diction, imagery, details, language and syntax; clear tone