Timeline for Applying to Musical Theatre Programs

Many students interested in applying to musical theatre programs for college often have no idea of just how much more involved that process is compared to a typical college search, and how much earlier they ought to get started! Here is a brief overview of the ideal timeline for pursuing musical theatre on the collegiate level:

Sophomore/Junior Year (the earlier the better):

Reflect on your priorities and determine the type of environment you’d like to be in: 

• BA vs BFA program, though bear in mind most MT programs are BFAs

• Conservatory or Conservatory “style” programs (Small arts-centered environment vs. large, sports-centered campus life)

• Acting-heavy, dance-heavy, triple-threat balance?

• In or near a city, or in a more traditional campus environment?

Start researching schools, and setting up campus visits:

• Try and look beyond the big three (NYU, Michigan, and Carnegie Mellon), and find schools with strong programs that might be a little lesser-known (did you know University of Oklahoma has a fantastic program, for instance?)

• VISIT, VISIT, VISIT. Check out the facilities (try and catch a show if you can!), meet faculty, talk to students, suss out the environment to know if it’s a good fit!

Craft a WELL-BALANCED list:

• Typical MT students apply to more schools than other majors because of the competitiveness of the major (with many programs having a lower admit rate than Harvard!) Aim to have around 15 GOOD fit schools, with a mixture of more competitive programs and lesser known (but still strong) programs. This will give you greater odds at reaching the audition for multiple schools. 

• Know that MOST MT programs have what’s known as a “dual admissions” process, so you need to be incredibly talented and also meet the academic standards of the school (be able to get in like you would in any other major, regardless of your talent). 

Pursue ALL theatrical opportunities:

• Take advantage of any theatre you can participate in (in, and especially outside of, your school, in front of and behind the curtain!)

Late Junior Year

Determine strong audition pieces/songs

• By now, you should have a good sense of what the pre-screen and audition requirements are for each of the schools on your list (typically 2 contrasting songs, 2 monologues, and a dance call—but specifics vary widely), and with the help of a drama coach and/or voice teacher, you should be crafting a repertoire that will cover all of them. 

Attend summer intensive?

• If you have the time and the resources, these programs - usually held on college campuses - are a great way to dip your toe into what a MT conservatory program will feel like. They can help you continue to build your resume, but also confirm whether pursuing MT intensively on the collegiate level is going to be a good fit for you.

Fall of Senior Year

Submit all application materials:

• MT programs tend to have earlier deadlines than traditional majors to make time for the artistic review process. Plan on having all of your materials in (including applications, essays, and pre-screen videos (if required)) by December 1st.

Winter of Senior Year

Invited Auditions (ideally in person!)

• You will find out in January or so if you have been invited to campus to audition. While there is usually an option to do these auditions over Zoom, I highly recommend getting to campus if you can!

National Unified Auditions (if attending)

• If you live in or near NYC, LA, or Chicago (or have the means to travel there), you might want to take advantage of “Unifieds” where 24 theatre programs conduct simultaneous auditions and interviews for admission (in January and early February). Learn more here!

Spring of Senior Year

Receive acceptances and deposit at your program of choice by 5/1!