CMSD NEWS BUREAU

11/27/2019

About 100 students, mostly eighth-graders, auditioned for the Cleveland School of the Arts on Nov. 23.

The turnout was strong for what were called early auditions. A larger number is expected when the high school holds mass auditions again in February.

A freshman class might include as many as 120 students.

Principal John LePelley said the group that auditioned Nov. 23 was diverse, with many students coming from charter or suburban schools. CMSD policy reserves seats for District residents until May 15, then places qualified outside candidates in open seats.

CSA offers study in creative writing, dance, music, theater arts and visual arts. Students also can experience multiple disciplines in an integrated arts pathway.  

Depending on the specialty, auditions require applicants to perform such feats as dancing or playing instruments solo, delivering theater monologues or responding to creative writing prompts.

To help predictably anxious applicants prepare, CSA offered a boot camp an hour and a half before the auditions to help them prepare.

For more information on the Cleveland School of the Arts, go here.